Earlier this year, Fightful Select reported about the creative frustration in the women’s division. This report stated that several female stars were frustrated with the way they were utilized on the show. They were waiting to see where the “chips would fall” following WrestleMania 38.
Now, Fightful Select reported that the return of Asuka and Lacey Evans were two of those falling chips. Also, with Charlotte Flair taking time off for her wedding, the creative was able to feature more female stars on the show regularly. Starting with the May 13th episode of Friday Night SmackDown, female performers have been more integrated into the show, but with varying creative frustration. This further escalated with Naomi and Sasha Banks’ controversial walkout.
It was also further noted that former SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey joining the SmackDown was another chip that fell. Sources have claimed that Rousey has been willing to work with a variety of women on SmackDown. This was recently witnessed when she took a pinfall loss and dropped the SmackDown Women’s title to Liv Morgan at WWE Money in the Bank 2022.