On the August 11 edition of WWE Raw, Naomi’s scheduled title defence against IYO SKY was pulled from the show, as the champion was said to not be medically cleared to wrestle.
Her status remains unknown, but it has been announced that Naomi will have a segment on the 18 August edition of Raw, leading to speculation that she may need to take a hiatus.
If this proves to be the case, WWE may choose not to strip her of the title and instead crown an interim champion.
Here are five potential candidates who could hold the WWE Women’s World Title on an interim basis.
5. Stephanie Vaquer
At WWE’s upcoming Clash in Paris PLE, it was originally supposed to be Stephanie Vaquer challenging Naomi for the Women’s Title.
Vaquer earned the opportunity after winning the battle royal at July’s all-women’s Evolution show.
The 32-year-old Chilean has immediately connected with the WWE fanbase — supremely talented in-ring and possessing an authentic charisma that makes her a natural babyface.
On the cusp of a major push, if Naomi is out injured this could be the moment to pull the trigger and crown Vaquer as interim champion.
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4. IYO SKY
Former Women’s Champion IYO SKY was denied another shot at the title when Naomi was ineligible to wrestle on the 11 August Raw.
In storyline terms, as the former champion who lost the belt when Naomi cashed in, it would certainly make sense for her to have a chance at the interim title if Naomi is out.
Also from a business perspective, she is one of WWE’s most popular stars and arguably its best in-ring worker, making her a logical choice to carry the belt again.
At Clash in Paris, we could well see SKY as the former champion face Vaquer as the number-one contender, with the winner being crowned interim champion.
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3. Asuka
In terms of top in-ring workers in WWE, few, if any, are better than Asuka.
The 43-year-old recently returned from a serious knee injury that kept her sidelined for over a year, but she has shown zero signs of ring-rust.
On the 11 August edition of Raw, it appeared that seeds were being planted for a heel turn when she argued with and pushed her former Damage CTRL partner IYO SKY.
Having Asuka capture the interim title and run as a dominant heel champion would make her a more than worthy replacement for Naomi.
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2. Bianca Belair
Bianca Belair has been sidelined with injury since her widely celebrated three-way at WWE WrestleMania against IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley.
WrestleVotes reported at the end of July that she was nearing a return.
A comeback for Belair, moving across from SmackDown to Raw, could see her capture the interim belt.
With her established storyline involvement with Naomi over the past year, it would set up the perfect opponent for Naomi’s eventual return.
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1. Rhea Ripley
In terms of likely candidates for the interim Women’s Title, few would argue against it being Rhea Ripley.
Ripley remains the most over star on the women’s roster.
Naomi’s reign always looked destined to be short, with Ripley inevitably positioned to reclaim the belt as the division’s top star.
Having number one contender Stephanie Vaquer face Ripley at WWE’s Clash in Paris for the interim title could quite possibly steal the show and spark another dominant run for Ripley.
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