WWE’s Backlash is set for April 26, and with the pay per view fast approaching, I’ve decided to examine the possibilites of what kind of Diva match the WWE could give us. The 2009 Draft is complete and with the record-setting numbers of Divas that changed brands, there are multiple new ways this could play out. Of course, it will depend on what happens on Raw and SmackDown over the next couple of weeks, but even the creation of WWE’s newest show, WWE Superstars, allows for interpromotional matches of all kinds to be arranged. Let’s take a look!
Option #1: Maryse vs. Mickie James: Diva’s Championship
Typically, Raw has been getting more Divas matches at pay per view events than SmackDown. If WWE keeps this up, not to mention how Maryse is viewed within the company, then Raw could be awarded the coveted timeslot for a match. With the Glamazon busy with the Santino/a angle, this leaves the door open for Raw’s top face to take on the top heel. I think this would be a great match to see, especially considering it would provide Mickie with the chance to be the first ever Diva’s and Women’s Champion. If the WWE goes this route, though, I’d still see Maryse retaining for now.
Option #2: Maryse vs. Beth Phoenix: Diva’s Championship
This could also be an alternative for a title match. I think it’s a bit too soon for this to happen though. WWE does tend to rush into storylines, so it’s a possibility. But Backlash is only a week or so away, so it doesn’t really give Beth a chance to turn face in a timely manner in order to compete with Maryse for the gold. This is a huge feud that WWE will want to spend a lot of time developing and playing out, so again, it’s way too soon for this to happen. Nontheless, this match is bound to happen; it’s just a matter of when, not if. I predict that Maryse will retain her gold until she faces Beth at a pay per view event where she will drop the gold to the newly-turned-face Beth Phoenix.
Option #3: Melina vs. Michelle McCool: Women’s Championship
If SmackDown gets the Divas match at Backlash, I see this option as being the most likely. Melina coming onto SmackDown as the face Women’s Champion will most likely put her right into a feud with Michelle McCool, who has already taken to her blog to talk about beating Melina and being the first-ever holder of both the Women’s and Diva’s Championship. Michelle is the top heel on the brand, so she would probably get the first title shot. However, like Maryse, I see Melina retaining the gold in this situation. I don’t think that either Maryse or Melina will lose their respective titles this early coming off the Draft, where they’d only have 1-2 weeks of being the Champion. I think Michelle will chase Melina’s gold and will probably be the one to beat her for it and win Erin’s Race To The Double Championship, well, unless Beth or Mickie does it first!
Option #4: Melina vs. Gail Kim: Women’s Championship
This final option is also a possibility. It’s been suggested that Melina will make her SmackDown debut as a heel, thus filling out the face/heel ratio for the blue brand. If Melina does this, Gail Kim will definitely be the top title contendor. Since her debut, Gail has beaten Maryse and Michelle McCool individually and even in tag-team action. Pinning the champion in a non-title match almost always makes you the #1 contendor, and by beating the former #1 contendor, Michelle, Gail has secured her spot as one of SmackDown’s biggest names.
Option #5: Raw vs. SmackDown Tag Team Match
This option is probably the biggest longshot out of them all, but we all know anything is possible in the WWE, especially when they like to give our Divas just one match and clump them all in there (I don’t think you need me to write the list of examples). This one could play out to involve Maryse, Mickie, and possibly Kelly Kelly or Beth Phoenix vs. Melina, Gail, and Michelle in a variety of combinations, either 2-on-2 or 3-on-3. It could also be a face vs. heel match. This way, no title would be on the line just yet and it would allow for some storylines to play out before any of the Divas get a title shot against their brands’ new Champion. Another option would be a “pandemonium match” as I like to call them, basically any tag team match that involves 10 Divas or more, which have been much too common as of late and really do nothing at all but serve to let the Divas have their 5 minutes of air time. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.
Option #6: No Divas Match
I hate to be a Bitter Betty, but let’s face it, WWE wouldn’t surprise us if they didn’t even bother making a Divas match. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time the Divas have been left off. Depending on how many Superstar matches WWE books for the event, the Divas could find themselves left off. This way, Creative would have more time to begin more solid storylines and feuds and allow for a “build-up” to culminate at a pay per view. Not an option I want to see at all, but it could happen.
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