Bayley Is Only Viable Option to Dethrone Sasha Banks as NXT Women's Champion

As the most complete women's wrestler left at Full Sail University after the recent exodus of NXT talent to WWE, Bayley is the clear-cut choice to be Sasha Banks' heir as champion.

NXT's officials have a no-brainer decision in front of them. Bayley is the best in-ring performer at WWE developmental, a woman who has embraced and maximized her character, a wrestler poised to thrive as the next women's titleholder.

Banks still clings to that belt for now. But she's off to fight her battles on Raw and SmackDown. As part of Team BAD, she's clearly in WWE's plans to revolutionize the main roster's women's division.

That means, of course, that she will have to drop the NXT Women's Championship, just as Paige did before her. 

The women's title is meant to be a symbol of a wrestler sitting at the top of the NXT class just as much as it is meant to be a springboard to the main roster. Each of the previous titleholders (Charlotte and Paige) used that strap around her waist to further her profile, as a means to learn under pressure and eventually as a stepping stone to WWE proper.

It's time for Banks to follow their leads, allowing another NXT female to wear the crown.

There's no need for a long deliberation about who that should be. The championship candidates beyond Bayley simply aren't ready. 

Alexa Bliss has improved of late, with her ring game smoothing out over time. Still, she's too often awkward in the ring. It looks as if she's counting out dance steps in her head rather than letting the movements flow.

That will change over time. She's showing that she will be a solid in-ring performer in time. Her charisma and bubbly shtick will get her noticed as well.

But putting her at the top of the division would be a reach. She's not yet able to handle the longer, more high-profile matches that being champion requires. The same goes for Carmella and Dana Brooke. 

All three women are raw, unpolished, unfinished products who would struggle under the weight of that championship.

In due time, Carmella's bound to make a major impact on the women's division. For now, though, she's still learning the mat game. There's a reason none of her singles matches have gone past the six-minute mark so far, as noted by CageMatch.net.

She, like Brooke and Bliss, is still green.

Carmella's debut came just last year. The same goes for Brooke. Bliss had her first match in 2013.

Bayley, meanwhile, has a background on the indy circuit. As Davina Rose, she was wrestling for Big Time Wrestling as far back as 2008.

That experience shows today.

She draws fans in with quality performances. She had an excellent match against Charlotte at NXT TakeOver: Fatal 4-Way followed by a part in the four-way thriller at NXT TakeOver: Rival. Her matches overall have shown her to be one of the top performers in the division, even when Banks and Company were around.

While still needing to fine-tune her ring work, Bayley is strong in the ring. She's stellar at generating sympathy when taking a beating or getting the crowd behind her when she's making a fierce comeback. In that way, she's the ideal babyface.

Now Becky Lynch, Charlotte and Banks find themselves thrust onto the main roster into a narrative about a revolution in the division.

That leaves Bayley free to ascend to the top of the mountain at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn. That opens the door for WWE to see how her strong connection with the crowd plays out when she's champion rather than the plucky underdog. That leaves WWE with but one real choice for who to take down Banks.

It's time to let Bayley start hugging NXT gold.