As of today, Carmella debuted on the main roster four years ago on SmackDown Live. She quickly became one of what would later be known as the SmackDown Six along with Nikki Bella, Alexa Bliss, Naomi, Natalya, and Becky Lynch. This was as a result of the 2016 WWE Draft where she was the last picked to be drafter from NXT to SmackDown Live.
In the four years on the main roster, Carmella has had many accomplishments. These include becoming the very first woman to win a Money in the Bank ladder match and she has also held the SmackDown Women’s Championship. This title win came from her successful cash-in on Charlotte Flair.
In celebration of Carmella’s four years on the main roster, let’s take a stroll down memory lane on four matches that are one’s to rewatch.
Carmella vs. Nikki Bella – No DQ match TLC 2016
Shortly after her debut on the main roster, Carmella was brought right into a storyline with Nikki Bella. This was a great way to get eyes on Carmella to those who didn’t watch her time in NXT. This feud allowed the Princess of Staten Island to still look strong even though she was defeated.
Adding the stipulation of the no disqualification added an element to the match as well that four years ago still wasn’t used all that much. The only downside to this match was that it should have lasted longer.
Carmella vs. Bayley –
SmackDown Women’s Championship- SmackDown 2.14.20
A more recent match, but the last prominent match that we have seen from Carmella. Earlier this year, she was put back into the title picture after not being a contender for quite some time. A feud that many people were waiting on based on the fact that she and Bayley have such great chemistry together.
Carmella surprisingly won a Fatal 4-way that led to this match that many thought was going to go to the returning Naomi. As a result of this, we quickly were treated to a great match between the two real-life friends. Carmella wasn’t able to win the title for the second time in her career and the feud was quickly dropped, but the match left us wanting more.
Money in the Bank Ladder Match – SmackDown 6.27.17
There was two Money in the Bank ladder matches in 2017 as the women finally took part in this style of match. The first match took place at the event named from the match but ended in much controversy.
The end result saw James Ellsworth climb the ladder and drop the briefcase to Carmella which signified her winning the match. As a result, a second match was made on the following SmackDown. This one would prove to be arguably better.
Carmella would defeat her other four competitors in this rematch by climbing the ladder herself this time to unhook the briefcase.
This propelled her into the most successful part of her career thus far as she held the briefcase for 287-days she was able to successfully cash in on Charlotte Flair with a little help from The IIconics. She would go on to defeat Flair again before entering a feud with Asuka and retaining successfully against her as well.
Carmella (c) vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley –
SmackDown Women’s Championship – SummerSlam 2018
From her winning Money in the Bank to her winning the SmackDown Women’s Title, the end of Carmella’s wins came at SummerSlam. A moment that ended up ushering in the rise of Becky Lynch was still a great match put on by Carmella.
This triple threat showed that Mella could hang with two huge names of the business and may possibly be the best she has looked in a match. The work between the three led to many near falls that had the crowd thinking that any one of them could walk out with the victory.
What are some of your favorite Carmella matches? Would you like to see her back into the title picture? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!
