Amazingly on the June 3 episode of WWE Raw, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill successfully defended the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. However, the victory was not a big one, but an elimination of tough opponents Shayna Baszler and Zoe Stark after interference from Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre. Belair and Cargill have defended the titles since their victory at WWE Backlash in early May, but the question remains: What’s next for the power couple?
Deep sympathy for Bully Ray
WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray, known for his non-committal comments, expressed his concerns on “Busted Open Radio.” According to Ray, Belair’s current relationship with Cargill is more of a preparation for their departure from a long-term plan to dominate the brand division.
“I don’t think that the WWE has Bianca and Jade together because they have true plans for them as a team, despite them being the Women’s Tag Team Champions right now. I think this is going to be about the eventual demise of Bianca and Jade; then you’re going to have something,” Ray stated.
The State of the Division
Ray’s skepticism doesn’t stop at just Belair and Cargill’s future. He also expressed doubts about the overall strength and depth of the WWE women’s tag team division. Reflecting on who could realistically challenge the champions, Ray admitted to struggling to find a credible duo. “Who are you going to put them against? It’s beyond just a problem, it’s a major problem,” he lamented.
In a thought-provoking analysis, Ray proposed Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch as potential contenders, but even this idea seemed far-fetched. “Now look at the lengths I just had to go to, to find two names that I think could be credible enough to get heat on Bianca and Jade,” Ray elaborated. The lack of depth in the division is apparent, raising concerns about the future of the Women’s Tag Team Championship.
The Need for Credible Contenders
The disqualification finish on “WWE Raw” highlighted an ongoing issue: the absence of formidable opponents who can believably dethrone Belair and Cargill. While Baszler and Stark put up a fight, the interference by Dawn and Fyre suggests WWE is still scrambling to build credible threats within the division. This booking strategy could indicate that WWE itself is unsure about the direction of its women’s tag team scene.
Potential Storylines: Beyond the Titles
Given the current scenario, Ray’s prediction about an eventual split between Belair and Cargill gains weight. Both athletes have strong individual followings and unique in-ring styles that could lead to a blockbuster feud. This angle not only provides a fresh storyline but also addresses the lack of depth by creating compelling singles competition, temporarily shifting focus from the tag team division.
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WWE’s Challenge: Building a Strong Division
For WWE, the challenge lies in developing a robust women’s tag team division that can provide continuous, engaging storylines. Historically, the tag team championships have seen periods of neglect, often overshadowed by the singles titles. To avoid this, WWE needs to invest in creating and nurturing tag teams with long-term potential.
The Role of NXT and Developmental Talent
Integrating talent from NXT could be a strategic move. NXT always produces talented players capable of lifting the main roster. By promoting the successful NXT tag team to the main roster, WWE could breathe new life into the women’s tag team division. This approach not only provides new matches but also shows the depth of WWE’s development system.
Fan engagement and expectations
The WWE Universe plays an important role in shaping the direction of the storyline. Stakeholder reaction and participation can strongly influence creative decisions. If viewers show a strong interest in keeping Belair and Cargill or viewing them as competitors, WWE may do the same. The chemistry between Belair and Cargill has been strong so far, but whether it translates into long-term success remains to be seen.
Looking ahead: What’s next for Belair and Cargill?
At this point, the path to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship is still unclear. Bully Ray’s honest opposition shows the need for a clearer path for Belair and Cargill, as a team and as competitors. The possibility of a major feud between the two is tempting, but WWE still needs to be careful not to weaken the tag team roster.
