Lana Finally Debuts On WWE SmackDown

'The Ravishing Russian' earned a title shot on her debut night.

Lana WWE
WWE.com

Lana joined SmackDown as part of WWE's Superstar Shake-Up on April 11th, but had been kept off live television until last night.

'The Ravishing Russian's' arrival has been hyped through a series of dancing vignettes in recent weeks, and she finally showed-up during yesterday's show in Rochester, NY, interrupting a segment featuring Shane McMahon and the rest of the women's division.

Having asked McMahon for a spot in the women's Money In The Bank ladder match on Twitter last week, Lana reiterated her request, but Shane turned her down. An argument then broke out between Lana and SmackDown Women's Champion Naomi, which provoked the debutante into attacking Naomi during the ensuing six-woman tag match, costing her team the victory.

Advertisement

Shane later granted Naomi's request for a match with Lana at Money In The Bank on June 18th. As a result, Lana will now challenge for the Women's Title in what will be only the second televised match of her WWE career. It's a big leap, but one WWE have prepared for by having her regularly compete on the NXT house show circuit throughout the year.

Below are a few pictures from the debut:-

Advertisement

Advertisement

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.