Night of Champions will be taking place Saturday, May 27 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. At this event, there will be three women’s matches and the show kicks off at 1 PM ET.
Both the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Titles are on the line, even though they are still on the wrong brands. Both matches haven’t been built up much so much like WrestleMania we are going to enjoy the matches for what they are.
As for Trish vs. Becky we have received a better storyline and it has a purpose.
The matches are –
- Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Natalya – SmackDown Women’s Title
- Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka – Raw Women’s Title
- Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus
Predictions –
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Natalya
SmackDown Women’s Title
NICK – This one seems quite obvious, plus with the least amount of build up it is obviously going to be Rhea winning. I still think the match will be solid but something also tells me that it’ll be the shortest match.
WINNER: Rhea Ripley
COLBY – Sigh … Look, Nattie is a great challenger for Ripley as they figure out a direction for her title reign. But could we get some actual storytelling back in the title pictures? Or is all of that being reserved for Becky and Trish? That’s no slight to them, but the women’s title pictures have been struggling this year. Ripley is just getting started, so I have no doubt that she will retain here in what could be just the start of their feud.
WINNER: Rhea Ripley
GARY – Ripley wins. It will be a solid match but there’s little more to say. Would love a swerve with Nattie winning by DQ or countout to continue this ‘feud’ into something more but I have zero expectations.
WINNER: Rhea Ripley
Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka
Raw Women’s Title
NICK – As someone who has campaigned and backed up Bianca to become the longest reigning champ of the modern era, we can move to the next phase now. She has established herself well enough that she cold hold a side feud without the title and still be a star. Plus I don’t want Asuka losing again so soon.
WINNER: Asuka
COLBY – I get the feeling that WWE didn’t know where Belair would go after WrestleMania, which makes me wonder even more why they didn’t book Asuka as a heel upon her Royal Rumble return. I was on board with Asuka winning the title at WrestleMania, but I’m having a hard time imagining a title change happening here. I’d argue they’re in a stickier situation with who should go over, and perhaps we get a DQ finish to set up a gimmick match. It’s not ideal, but I’m sticking with it.
WINNER: Bianca Belair via DQ
GARY – I’m not confident that Belair will drop the title in her first defense on Smackdown brand, I just don’t see it but I also don’t want to see Asuka lose again. I’m really torn on this one and feel it could go either way but I am going to go with Asuka winning the title here.
WINNER: Asuka
Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus
NICK – I am going with the common thought that this may be the first of a trilogy between these two. If Becky wins first it loses that momentum. So Trish.
WINNER: Trish Stratus
COLBY – I think the general feeling among fans is that this will not just be a one and done match. At least, that’s what I’m hoping. Their promos have been entertaining, and now we’ll see what they can bring in a high-profile singles match. Whether it’s by using dirty tactics or not, I think Stratus should walk away with the win here to set up a rematch at some point this summer.
WINNER: Trish Stratus
GARY – I suppose this is all dependent on how long Stratus is sticking around for. I believe Lynch will of course overall win this feud but I’m pulling for a Stratus victory at NOC to continue this feud for a little bit longer and hope she is sticking around a little.
WINNER: Trish Stratus
