WWE Smackdown has long been dealing with a lack of female talents. Things have become stale with Charlotte Flair being the reigning champion who barely has any opponents to defend against. This was the reason that she inserted herself into the Royal Rumble 2022 match to determine her own Wrestlemania 38 opponent.
However, Ronda Rousey eliminated her at the 29th position to win The Rumble who now also has chosen her to be her Wrestlemania 38 opponent. More competitions could be on the way for the WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion as some of the talents are also coming back, according to the recent reports.
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Bayley and Asuka are the two names who are expected to return to the ring soon. Bayley is expected to be back in time for WrestleMania 38, while Asuka is also due to return in the near future. She was already discussed for an appearance in the Women’s Royal Rumble Match that didn’t happen.
An update from Wrestling Observer Newsletter demands that Asuka, along with Bayley, is targeted to be ready for WrestleMania 38. There’s no confirmed update on which brand these two former WWE Smackdown Women’s Champions will be assigned to. Both these two names were absent from the WWE Draft which makes them free agents.
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Lacey Evans is also expected to be back, soon as she continues to train for her in-ring return and she’s come back to shape overcoming her pregnancy condition. She has also been telling fans on Twitter that she’s coming back soon. Evans was working on Raw alongside Asuka before leaving while Bayley mostly worked on WWE Smackdown during her departure.
Bayley underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL back in mid-July. She suffered the injury during a training session at the WWE Performance Center for her scheduled WWE Smackdown Women’s Title match against Bianca Belair. It was then noted that she was expected to be on the shelf for around 9 months or so. It’ll be interesting to see if the top superstar can make it to WWE before Wrestlemania 38 and make herself added to WWE TV.
Lacey has been away from WWE TV since announcing her pregnancy on the February 15, 2021 episode of RAW while Asuka wrestled last in the Women’s Money In the Bank 2021 ladder match back in July.
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