On WWE Raw, it was announced that Women’s World Champion Naomi was not medically cleared to compete but without further details.
With the announcement that she would also be making a joint appearance on Stephanie McMahon’s ‘What’s Your Story’ podcast with real-life husband Jimmy Uso releasing on August 14 leading speculation to ramp up that she could be taking an extended time off.
Here are eight WWE stars that could be the next to win the Women’s World Championship should it need to be vacated.
8. Stephanie Vaquer
Since it was Stephanie Vaquer who was set to face off against Naomi for the WWE Women’sWorld Championship at Clash in Paris 2025 – she could very well have been set to capture gold already.
Never the less – Vaquer is still a solid choice for the next WWE Women’s World Champion.
With La Primera already becoming incredibly popular with fans, the time could still be right for her to capture the title – even if it comes through some sort of battle royal or multi-woman match.
While a champion could be crowned in advance of Clash in Paris, it would also make sense to wait for the event which is just over one week away.
Click the next page button below for more
7. Rhea Ripley
While Rhea Ripley continues to feel like a dominant presence in WWE – she hasn’t held title gold since March 2025.
Continuing her chase for the last five months to reclaim the title she lost to IYO SKY on an episode of WWE Raw – Ripley could be at a breaking point.
Remaining a presence on TV throughout however, her title losses appear to be getting more and more devastating.
With the potential for the massively popular star to turn just heel enough to be able to justify her actions, this opportunity to could put the title back on her without the same level of dastardly effort.
Click the next page button below for more
6. Bianca Belair
Another top contender for the title in the event it ends up being vacated is Bianca Belair.
After suffering multiple broken fingers during her match for the WWE Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania 41, Belair has yet to return to in-ring competition.
She has however appeared on-screen and was a special guest referee in a match – hopefully noting that she is somewhat close to a return.
While there hasn’t been any return plan noted for Bianca, to come back and promptly win gold would be very fitting for the EST.
Click the next page button below for more
5. Asuka
After a recently tense set of interactions between IYO SKY and particularly Asuka, it seems the Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) could be turning heel.
While it seems that it could be leading to a tag team pairing of Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY, there is a far more interesting way for the story to shake out now.
If heel Asuka was to pick up the WWE Women’s World Championship, it leaves the perfect opportunity for another rivalry to emerge.
Bringing IYO SKY back into title contention, she and Asuka could have some incredible matches ahead while continuing to incorporate Rhea Ripley and Kairi Sane.
Click the next page button below for more
4. Jade Cargill
Jade Cargill continues to impress live audiences and fans all over the globe – but still has failed to grasp world title gold.
After losing her bid for the WWE Women’s Championship against Tiffany Stratton at SummerSlam, Cargill could be a surprise contender for the WWE Women’s World title instead.
Hopping brands from SmackDown to challenge for her rival Naomi’s vacated championship could be the perfect segue for Cargill to win her first singles title in WWE.
With her win securing several rivalries on WWE Raw immediately – including potentially going against the returning Bianca Belair – there could be more to Naomi’s story unravelling even if she is taking time away.
Click the next page button below for more
3. Nikki Bella
When random opportunities to make a pivot occur – sometimes they have to be taken.
One such switch-up could be to have Nikki Bella capture the title potentially vacated by Naomi.
While Nikki Bella is already involved in a program with Becky Lynch for the Intercontinental Championship – it doesn’t mean she wouldn’t want to chase this top title as well.
Serving as the perfect transitional champion, Bella can officially add Women’s World Champion to her WWE resume – but without costing her anything when drops it in the future.
Click the next page button below for more
2. Nattie Neidhart (Natalya)
While Natalya has been a familiar face in WWE for decades, the star has begun to be noticed for her alternate persona, Nattie Neidhart.
With Neidhart appearing in independent promotions like GCW Bloodsport and Reality of Wrestling, she has demonstrated her years in the Dungeon have been well spent.
Able to showcase a more vicious edge, it would be incredible to see Neidhart be able to pick up where the dark version of Naomi has left off.
With Natalya set to feature in a match at AAA Triplemania for the Reina de Reinas Championship – advertised under the name Natalya – perhaps a win or a loss in AAA could bring forth Nattie Neidhart in WWE.
Click the next page button below for more
1. Jordynne Grace or Blake Monroe
In the event the title is actually vacated, there could easily be a match featuring women from across WWE in order to determine the next winner.
Including NXT contenders could lead to a shock result by which one of the top talent from the Performance Center is actually able to walk away with a main roster title.
While Jordynne Grace and Blake Monroe continue to feud on NXT – sometimes big opportunities such as a vacated WWE Women’s World Championship don’t come around very often.
Perhaps an unlikely choice, the move would certainly be a shocking one and could lead to a lot of fascinating story-term storylines while the overall direction gets fully sorted out.
To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!
Comments.
Loading comments…