4 reasons WWE should not let Bayley lose the Women’s Championship on SmackDown
WWE Friday Night SmackDown is the biggest show the company puts out each and every week. Tonight's edition of the hit wrestling show will no doubt be an exciting one, as it is set to feature a major championship match.
Bayley, who won the prized Women's Championship by defeating IYO SKY at WrestleMania XL Sunday, will defend her belt for the first time. The Role Model is set to go one-on-one with her friend and former SmackDown Women's Champion Naomi.
Naomi went one-on-one with Tiffany Stratton during last week's episode of the blue brand. While both women needed a win so they could challenge Bayley for the gold, it was Naomi who ultimately stood tall, thus earning herself a title opportunity.
While the match could go in any direction and either woman could walk away with the victory, Bayley should not lose her prized belt. This article will break down a handful of reasons why The Role Model should remain the Women's Champion following tonight's edition of Friday Night SmackDown.
Below are four reasons WWE should not let Bayley lose the Women’s Championship on SmackDown.
#4. Bayley's reign just started
The WWE Women's Championship is the rebranded RAW Women's Title. The rebranding took place last year, and since then, Asuka, Bianca Belair, and IYO SKY were the only women to hold that belt until Bayley stepped up.
The Role Model won the prized belt just under two weeks ago at WWE WrestleMania XL Sunday. Since that time, she has been involved in angles on SmackDown, but she has yet to defend the gold. Her first defense will be later tonight.
For that very reason, Bayley shouldn't lose her coveted championship to Naomi. A two-week reign isn't necessary, especially after IYO SKY managed to hold onto the belt from SummerSlam until WrestleMania. The Role Model should hold onto it for at least a few months, if not longer, to prove that she is a credible champion.
#3. Damage CTRL is still lurking in the shadows
The Damage CTRL saga has been one of WWE's most entertaining stories over the past year or so, but especially in 2024. Bayley won the 2024 Women's Royal Rumble Match, and it eventually led to her exit from the faction.
Kairi Sane, Asuka, Dakota Kai, and IYO SKY all lost important matches at WrestleMania. Following that, the four women didn't appear on WWE Friday Night SmackDown last week. They are likely regrouping from their losses, but make no mistake about it; the group is lurking and preparing to strike.
This means that Bayley losing the belt probably wouldn't make much sense. Her story with Damage CTRL is likely far from over. She will probably have to defend her title against all four women in the faction at various points. It would be quite entertaining to watch if that's the approach.
#2. She is far too over with the WWE Universe
Bayley spent years as a loveable babyface in WWE. The Hugger rose to fame in NXT where she had classic matches with Sasha Banks (aka Mercedes Mone). She later brought that persona to the main roster, and fans continued to get behind her in a big way.
In 2019, however, things took a turn. For the first time in her WWE career, The Role Model turned heel. She turned her back on various performers, including Charlotte Flair, and remained a villainous threat until she was kicked out of Damage CTRL.
After leaving the faction she created, the fans have been overwhelmingly behind The Role Model. The WWE Universe was electric for her at WrestleMania XL Sunday, and they loudly cheer for her on SmackDown each week. With how behind her the audience is, it would be foolish to take the title away from Bayley this soon. She is too popular for that.
#1. Naomi should win the title from a heel
The final reason why Bayley shouldn't lose the WWE Women's Championship on SmackDown tonight actually has nothing to do with The Role Model herself. Instead, the reasoning has to do with her opponent, Naomi, and the latter's future in the company.
Naomi is a fantastic performer. She returned to WWE in the 2024 Women's Royal Rumble Match after spending nearly two years away, and the former SmackDown Women's Champion has been in the mix ever since. She is loved by a lot of fans, while some are only now becoming acquainted with her.
Triple H and company officials would run the risk of undoing the goodwill Naomi has built up by having her dethrone Bayley so soon. A babyface beating another babyface for a title is rarely an ideal situation in general.
Instead, it would be wise to have Naomi dethrone whichever wrestler eventually takes the gold from The Role Model. This will be the most beneficial for all parties involved. It wouldn't split the audience, nor would it undo months of work.