The Forgotten WWE Star Who Could Reshape the Women's Division

The Royal Rumble is the ideal destination for an unforgettable comeback story. We already know Cody Rhodes will be an entry in the men's match after a rigorous recovery period. However, Naomi could also return to WWE at the annual event and make a major impact.

The former SmackDown women's champion has been relatively quiet since she and Sasha Banks walked out ahead of the May 16 episode of Raw. Their controversial exit spun out into one of the most talked-about headlines of the year.

Banks became the hottest free agent of 2023 following her debut as Mercedes Monè at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17. Although she has been actively supporting her tag team partner, we haven't received much news on what's next for Naomi. Many believe she could head back to WWE.

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An Eventual Return to WWE

The Orlando, Florida, native hasn't appeared in a wrestling ring in eight months, but it would make sense for her to return to WWE. After all, she has spent her entire career with the company, and her husband, Jimmy Uso, still works there.

That's not to say Naomi couldn't re-establish herself elsewhere. In fact, it would be fun to see her challenge herself against new opponents and prove she is a better in-ring performer than some fans think. Still, one would have to assume WWE feels like home to her and she would never truly close that door.

According to Fightful Select, the 2018 WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal winner was poised to sign a lucrative contract extension before she went on hiatus. Nevertheless, she has "maintained positive contact" with WWE since the walkout, and one source felt "confident" about her eventual return.

The report didn't provide a timetable for her return or a definitive update on her contract status. However, this does seem like good news for fans hoping to see her participate in The Bloodline Acknowledgment Ceremony on the next episode of Raw or the women's Rumble match.

This isn't a certainty, but there are plenty of reasons to believe it will happen. It would line up with a report from Wrestling Observer Live, with Bryan Alvarez under the impression that Naomi will return to WWE.

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Is This The Right Move for Naomi?

It's easy to assume that many fans were just waiting to see what Monè would do next. Some viewers may have even predicted they would remain a tag team after creating so much buzz last year.

The Legit Boss can definitely capture the attention of the mainstream audience. Her reputation as one of the wrestlers who helped to reinvigorate women's wrestling in the U.S. also makes her a candidate for dream matches all over the world.

Naomi may not immediately garner the same respect, but she also has a loyal and outspoken fanbase online. She consistently receives a strong reaction, and there is a steady demand to utilize her more on WWE programming.

After all, questions about whether WWE would add her to The Bloodline may have sparked the Fightful Select report. Her memorable Royal Rumble return in 2020 also went viral and sparked the imagination of fans hoping to see her gain a more prominent role.

Her feud with Sonya Deville seemed like a step in the right direction because she was finally a part of a meaningful storyline. The women's tag title run with Banks also turned out to be much more popular than most of us would have expected. To that end, the way WWE handled their walkout debatably made them both more intriguing.

There is so much untapped potential with Naomi. The company should strike while the iron is hot because there is so much allure surrounding her return. It would be wise to fully invest in her this time around because her exit left such a sour taste in many viewers' mouths.

Giving her a sustained push wouldn't exactly right that wrong, but it would be a satisfying way to put it in the rearview mirror. Luckily, the time away will probably be beneficial as it has added anticipation to her return. So, it would be foolish not to capitalize on this with a major feud.

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A Much-Needed Addition to SmackDown's Women's Division

The blue brand's women's division has been underwhelming for months. Losing Charlotte Flair, Naomi and Banks right after WrestleMania 38 was a huge blow, and the product never quite recovered.

Ronda Rousey is still a recognizable name, but her sophomore year hasn't been nearly as entertaining or advantageous as her initial run. WWE did a commendable job of trying to elevate new Superstars like Liv Morgan or Raquel Rodriguez. However, there just weren't enough established names to compete for the brand's women's title.

Naomi could be just the shot in the arm the division needs, and she is overdue for a significant run as a singles competitor. The two-time women's champion delivered an excellent performance in the main event of the Feb. 11, 2022, episode of SmackDown. Her chemistry with Flair and the reception to the match should have led to a renewed foray into the title picture.

WWE didn't commit to this direction then, but now the company has an even better opportunity to do so.

Naomi is probably more popular than ever, and there are so many possibilities to use her absence as the motivation for a new underdog or heel. It's now or never, and she deserves the chance to prove her worth.