On last night’s episode of Monday Night Raw, it was announced that the crowning of the first ever WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions would take place at Elimination Chamber. And with that comes the speculation of who will be the First Ever WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. And while it’s anyone’s guess until the Champions are crowned. We will take an educated guess as to the identity of the first WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
We will list our top six guesses. In increasing order of who we believe could win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
No. 6: 4 Horsewomen of MMA (Marina Shafir/Jessamyn Duke)
Why It Works
Two of the Four Horsewomen of MMA, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke are quickly rising Superstars in WWE. The connection to Shayna Baszler adnd Ronda Rousey is something the WWE can use to capitalize on. When they begin their WWE main roster tenure. I have made the point on The Laracuente Ledger Podcast that the WWE should employ the 4 Horsewomen of MMA as the female NWO. Using them in this matter can have them run roughshod over the entire women’s division. And taking hold of the first ever WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships is a good start.
Why It Wouldn’t Work
Now looking at the opposing point. Shafir and Duke are still very green when it comes to their pro wrestling careers. And while they have made incredible strides they have, similar to Ronda Rousey. The WWE is unlikely to put the confidence in them at this juncture.
No. 5: Io Shirai & Kairi Sane
Why It Works
Kairi Sane and Io Shirai have teammed together on several occasions and across multiple continents. Watching the two NXT combatants fight against the aforementioned MMA Horsewomen as apart of the Baszler/Sane match at NXT Takeover War Games 2 was a sight to behold. In seeing them work together there it brought to mind the potential. Potential of a Main Roster callup and challenge everyone to be crowned champs.
Why It Wouldn’t Work
Unlike Shafir and Duke, Io Shirai and Kairi Sane are veterans. And well traveled and could easily make the jump to challenge for the titles. But the lead decision maker is Vince McMahon. And while Vince has done some things right during his reign at the top of the “Sports Entertainment”. Giving Superstars of foreign descent a worthwhile babyface run is not one of them. If Triple H were toe making the decisions they would have a better chance.
No. 4: Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville
Why It Works
Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville are real life friends and their chemistry translates on-screen. And it’s that “odd-couple” dynamic that can make the tag team feel different than the rest of the women’s division. Given the apparent push that the WWE is giving to both Mandy and Sonya in 2019. The Women’s Tag Team Championships could be the starting point.
Why It Wouldn’t Work
The reason a Tag title run would work for them is also why it works against them. I’ll explain, Mandy and Sonya should be heavily featured in stories moving forward in 2019. But those pushes should come as singles competitors not as a tag team. Sonya could make her way into the championship picture on Smackdown Live and could easily challenge Asuka at Wrestlemania. While Mandy Rose could continue a feud with Naomi leading into the Show of Shows. Giving Deville and Rose a run with the Women’s Tag Team Championships would benefit them greatly. However, now does not appear to be the time.
No. 3: IIconics
Why It Works
The IIconic Duo is primed to be Tag Team Champions. The two lovely Aussies function as one cohesive unit when teaming together. And on the mic they banter seamlessly, together, against their opponents. Much like Mandy and Sonya, their genunine friendship radiants through the screen. And it’s that chemistry that would serve them well in the role of WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
Why It Wouldn’t Work
And while I expect the IIconics to have a somewhat decent run as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champs. I fully expect the WWE to book a babyface tag team as the First-Ever WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Adding to that is that the IIconics, while improving, are not stellar workers in the ring. And they need more time to work on their craft. Once they sure up some of those weaker aspects of their in-ring game. That’s when the Duo will make the Women’s Tag Team Division…IIconics.
No. 2: Riott Squad
Why It Works
Let me start by saying I expect a significant push for the Riott Squad in 2019. The lackluster interaction with Natalya towards the end of 2018 will b nothing more than a blip on the radar. The Riott Squad have a unique presentation about them. They have an air of unpredictablity and chaos. My suggestion for the female version of the NWO, could easily be take hold of by the Riott Squad. As a unit the Riott Squad can work many differents styles and opponents. Putting the tag titles on the Riott Squad would allow them to employ the “Freebird/New Day” rule. Especially when defending the Championships was required of them. And the conviening nature of their heel characters could use that as an advantage.
Why It Wouldn’t Work
Now one of the things holding back the IIconics, will hold back the Riott Squad. And that is the fact that they are heels. The WWE is going to want a feel good moment when crowning the Tag Team Champions. Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan could use a little more in-ring grooming as well. But the Riott Squad could easily capture the gold in terms of charisma and presentation. But having the Riott Squad take the titles from a babyface tag team in an underhanded way would greatly benefit their run.
No. 1: Boss N’ Hug Connection
Why It Works
Sasha Banks and Bayley are two of the most popular superstars in all of WWE. And also two of the best workers that WWE employs as well. I fully expect the WWE Women’s Tag Team Title pictures to take shape around Wrestlemania. And as I have stated I believe that WWE will look to crown a babyface tag team. Crowning a team that is beloved as the first ever WWE Women’s Tag Team Champs will pop the crowd. Sasha and Bayley have the utmost talent in the ring and could easily make an extended run as champs. Pitting the Boss N Hug Connection against the Riott Squad, the IIconics, Deville & Rose, and all the other tag teams under the WWE banner on Raw, Smackdown Live, and NXT can create a level of buzz for the newly formed division.
The Boss N Hug Connection is an obvious call back to the Rock N Sock Connection. Like The Rock and Mankind, Banks and Bayley have a bond and chemistry unlike any other pairing in the WWE. Laying claim to the honor of being the “First-Ever WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions” cements them in the WWE history books. The added benefit of crowning Banks and Bayley as Champions adds potential.
The potential of building towards the long awaited 4 Horsewomen of MMA versus the 4 Horsewomen of WWE battle. A battle that could likely take place at Survivor Series or could be extended even towards Wrestlemania 36. A War Games match can another “First-Ever” to the women’s division. The match could pit the 4 Horsewomen stables against one another in the vicious contest. Something we have only see take place in NXT. Crowning Banks and Bayley as the inaugural champions give WWE so many opportunities. Opportunities to branch out and elevate up so many talented women in the entire division.
Why It Wouldn’t Work
I’ll be honest I don’t think there are many reason the WWE wouldn’t put the titles on Sasha and Bayley. But the reason would be similar to the of not putting the titles of Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose. And that’s because the WWE would view them better as individual
It All Happens in the Chamber
As was announced the crowning of the Champions will take place inside the Elimination Chamber structure. And it was also announced that there would be three teams from Raw and three from Smackdown Live. So here are my best guesses as to the teams entering the chamber.
- Sasha Banks & Bayley
- Riott Squad
- IIconics
- Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose
- Mickie James & Alicia Fox
- Nia Jax & Tamina (Original plans will probably call for a team up of Naomi and Lana (and/or) Carmella. But they will probably be attacked by and replaced by Nia & Tamina.
