Backstage News On Lana's WWE SmackDown Role

Is 'The Ravishing Russian' set for a babyface push?

by Andy H Murray
lana wwe
WWE.com

Lana finally made her WWE SmackDown debut earlier this week. 'The Ravishing Russian' joined the blue brand as part of April's Superstar Shake-Up, but had only appeared through vignettes prior to interrupting a segment between Shane McMahon and the women's division on Tuesday.

She'll now wrestle Naomi for the SmackDown Women's Championship at Money In The Bank 2017 (June 18th), and it looks like there may be a change in her intended role.

According to this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Lana is supposed to be working as a heel, but will almost certainly be presented as a babyface going forward. The crowd were firmly behind her on SmackDown, chanting "we want Lana" as she asked McMahon for a spot in the women's MITB ladder match, which may have prompted WWE to change their mind.

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It is also noted that Lana is basically working the role that was originally intended for Eva Marie, who is now concentrating on her acting career, and isn't expected to return to WWE. Eva's character relied heavily on her in-ring inexperience to draw huge crowd heat, so it'll be interesting to see how that translates with Lana working face.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.