4 WWE Superstars who should have been added to the 2024 Queen of the Ring tournament
The 2024 WWE Queen of the Ring tournament is well underway and has delivered some great matches. Sixteen women entered the first round of the tournament, and four now remain, with both RAW and SmackDown at the semi-final stage. With Zelina Vega having dropped out due to injury, a second-ever Queen of the Ring is set to be crowned in Saudi Arabia.
The tournament has generally been well-received, but some fans have expressed dissatisfaction regarding certain superstars being left out. Many in the audience feel these women had more to gain by being showcased in the competition than some of the stars that were ultimately featured. It will likely be a smashing success, but certain superstars might have made it better or gained more from taking part than those who did.
Without further ado, let's look at four WWE Superstars who should have been added to the 2024 Queen of the Ring tournament:
#4. A recent NXT call-up like Blair Davenport could have gotten a huge boost from the 2024 WWE Queen of the Ring tournament
Blair Davenport has had an accomplished career in the business, winning multiple titles in promotions like STARDOM before arriving in WWE by way of AEW and NJPW. The 28-year-old spent three years in NXT, where she found solid footing as an upper mid-card and main-event player. This produced memorable feuds with the likes of Mandy Rose, Meiko Satomura, and Lyra Valkyria, along with a victory in the 2023 Iron Survivor Challenge.
Davenport was called up to the main roster in the 2024 WWE Draft and has yet to be seen except in video packages. An introduction to the main roster audience through the QOTR tournament could have given her great momentum with which to begin her new path, smoothing the transition from the developmental brand. This would arguably have been a better use of a slot in the bracket than using an established talent just to have her lose.
Other recent NXT call-ups that would have received a similar benefit from being in the tournament include Kiana James and 2023 debutants Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn.
#3. Kairi Sane was as good an Asuka replacement in the 2024 WWE Queen of the Ring tournament as Dakota Kai
After an amazing performance in the Kabuki Warriors' unsuccessful WWE Women's Tag Team Title defense at Backlash: France, Asuka revealed that she had been working injured. The four-time world champion was then replaced in the Queen of the Ring tournament by Dakota Kai, who lost to Lyra Valkyria in the first round. The following week, Kai faced Becky Lynch, losing by disqualification in a storyline-furthering match.
Kai seems set for some kind of involvement in the world title picture going forward, which many fans feel is long overdue. This begs the question of what plans are in store for Kairi Sane, and why she didn't take her tag partner's place in the tournament instead, especially if there were world title scene plans for Kai beforehand. Although one could argue Sane was protected from an unnecessary loss, she arguably made more sense as a replacement.
#2. Sonya Deville could have been brought back for Queen of the Ring 2024
Another name that should have been in the tournament is Sonya Deville. The former Women's Tag Team champion was out with an injury but made her return on the May 20th, 2024, edition of RAW.
It’s not like she returned just days after being cleared to compete. Hence, WWE may have had the opportunity to bring her back earlier to take part in the tournament, but they did not. This could be because they have some other plans for her with the tag team of Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler.
#1. Chelsea Green could have been a great choice to win the 2024 WWE Queen of the Ring tournament
For more than a year now, Chelsea Green has been one of, if not the most consistently entertaining female superstars in all of WWE. She has excelled in everything she has been a part of, even having one of the best women's tag team title reigns ever by pivoting seamlessly from teaming with Sonya Deville to Piper Niven.
Without a women's mid-card title to help propel her to the main event, Queen of the Ring could have been a great vehicle to elevate Green. Victory in a tournament involving Bianca Belair, Iyo Sky, and Jade Cargill would have not only benefited her greatly but also elevated the crown itself.
The former champion's comedic chops had the potential to produce hilarious segments reminiscent of William Regal's run as King. The title could have then engineered a split between Green and Niven, potentially making two stars in one move. Maybe next year, we'll get to bow down to Queen Chelsea!