WWE veteran on Nia Jax's possible opponent by WrestleMania 41
Nia Jax defeated Bayley at SummerSlam 2024 to win the WWE Women's Championship. Dutch Mantell, formerly known as Zeb Colter in WWE, expects to see The Irresistible Force feud with Tiffany Stratton by early next year.
Stratton won the Women's Money in the Bank ladder match on July 6. As a result of her victory, the 25-year-old can cash in her contract on a world champion of her choosing. The women's titles are currently held by Liv Morgan (RAW), Nia Jax (SmackDown), and Roxanne Perez (NXT).
Mantell said on Story Time with Dutch Mantell that Stratton's recent alliance with Jax is "a great story." He also predicted that the on-screen partnership will turn into a rivalry by the time of WrestleMania 41 in April 2025:
"Like I've always said, don't tell these stories [in a complicated way]," Mantell stated. "Tell it so simply that a 10-year-old kid or eight-year-old kid can understand it, then you'll understand it and all the people will understand it. So what we're waiting for, probably by next WrestleMania, it will be Tiffany and Nia Jax." [34:27 – 34:53]
Stratton teased a possible Money in the Bank cash-in during the Bayley vs. Nia Jax match at SummerSlam. The SmackDown star's presence distracted Bayley, who ultimately lost after receiving an Annihilator from Jax.
Dutch Mantell on Nia Jax's WWE presence
Over the last decade, Nia Jax has cemented her status as one of the most dominant women in the wrestling industry. While many female stars use speed and submissions to win matches, Jax's in-ring style revolves around devastating strikes and power moves.
Dutch Mantell acknowledged that the new WWE Women's Champion has a reputation for legitimately hurting opponents. However, he believes she is more athletic than people give her credit for:
"I don't know what that woman weighs, and you're not supposed to bring up the poundage of a woman, but she really, really can move," Mantell continued. "And of course she's got whatever her weight is, I'm sure it's over 250 [pounds], but hard to control that weight once it gets to moving, and she has hurt several people, I've heard. Not on purpose, of course." [35:04 – 35:34]
Mantell also raised concerns about Bronson Reed and Odyssey Jones appearing on the same brand after their impactful RAW appearances this week.
Do you think Jax and Stratton will face each other by WrestleMania 41? Hit the discuss button and let us know.
Please credit Story Time with Dutch Mantell and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.