Nick Aldis Excelling as WWE SmackDown GM, Babyface Rhea Ripley and More Quick Takes

If one thing was evident last Monday on Raw, it was that WWE has a massive babyface waiting to break out in Rhea Ripley.

The Judgment Day has been the best thing to happen to the red brand this past year, and its dominance over the roster has made the group an absolute force as heels. Once they begin to branch off on their own, it's virtually guaranteed that The Eradicator will become the biggest star of the bunch—as a fan favorite.

Meanwhile in All Elite Wrestling, Sting's retirement tour hit a roadblock on Wednesday's Dynamite when, following a Street Fight win over The Don Callis Family, The Young Bucks were revealed as his last-ever opponents at Revolution.

Sting and Darby Allin vs. the Bucks feels like a special attraction befitting of The Icon's final farewell, but there's one thing missing from the matchup that AEW must fix between now and the March 3 pay-per-view.

This installment of Quick Takes will delve into how the stakes can be raised for the Revolution main event, what the AEW World Championship matchup should be on that show, Nick Aldis excelling as SmackDown general manager, and more.

Rhea Ripley Well on Her Way to Becoming Breakout Babyface of Judgment Day

When tension was originally teased within the ranks of The Judgment Day last summer, all signs pointed to either Damian Priest or Finn Bálor breaking away as a babyface and feuding with the faction.

They ultimately reconciled their differences and resumed their hostile takeover of Raw, but it was always more a matter of when, rather than if, they'd go their separate ways.

Based on the overwhelmingly positive reception to Rhea Ripley last week on the show, their demise could be coming sooner rather than later.

Babyface Ripley is inevitable.

Interestingly, it was her heel turn that truly put the Australian on the path to superstardom starting in 2022. Joining The Judgment Day was the biggest game-changer in her career, but she's now outgrown the group and is ready to fly solo once again.

Regardless of what's in store for her at WrestleMania 40, WWE should position Ripley as the top female face on Raw or SmackDown post-draft. She has been so tremendous in her role that it's becoming increasingly difficult for fans to boo her, and thus an organic babyface turn is the logical next step.

It would likely cause The Judgment Day to crumble, but Ripley is such a megastar that her future should be the top priority.

Joe vs. Strickland vs. Page Is the Proper AEW World Title Match for Revolution

The Jan. 10 edition of Dynamite gave fans an early preview of what the AEW World Championship match at Revolution should look like: Samoa Joe defending against both Swerve Strickland and "Hangman" Adam Page in a Triple Threat.

Joe beating MJF to become AEW world champion at Worlds End was the correct call. He's been doing some of the strongest work of his career the past few months and deserves this time on top, even if only for a brief run.

The Samoan Submission Machine has no shortage of credible challengers waiting in the wings, but Strickland and Page being his first major threats on pay-per-view is the way to go.

Strickland has been the hot hand of late and belongs in the world title conversation. In fact, he's a suitable successor for Joe as AEW world champion, but it isn't imperative that the company pulls the trigger on a change as early as Revolution.

Page, of course, is fresh off his heated rivalry with Strickland and can easily be built back up to the main event level with a string of wins.

These three are bound to work exceptionally well together and could steal the show come Revolution.

Drew McIntyre Must Be CM Punk's First One-on-One Opponent Back at Elimination Chamber

CM Punk's various interactions with the current WWE roster since Survivor Series have effectively planted the seeds for several several storylines on the road to WrestleMania 40 and beyond.

Although a WrestleMania match with Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship seems to be set in stone for Punk, fans shouldn't discount the possibility of a temporary program with Drew McIntyre before then.

The two had an explosive encounter last Monday on Raw, masterfully weaving "kayfabe" into reality with their war of words. McIntyre's 'Mania match, as well as his WWE status in the spring are uncertain, but WWE shouldn't waste the opportunity to book this bout before he potentially leaves.

With Punk just being announced to appear at Elimination Chamber in Perth, Australia next month—his first international event for WWE in well over a decade—that major show would be the perfect place to host their highly anticipated one-on-one outing.

It would also mark The Best in the World's first televised match since returning to the company.

Punk winning would hardly be in question, but the promos leading up to it would be must-see viewing, and the matchup itself would be worthy of such a grand stage.

One Thing Missing from Sting's Final Farewell vs. The Young Bucks

Per Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Sting handpicked The Young Bucks as his opponents for his final match at Revolution after enjoying sharing the ring with them at Forbidden Door 2022.

On paper, the Bucks vs. Sting and Darby Allin is a match that makes sense, but it doesn't explain why the latter duo haven't received a shot at the AEW World Tag Team Championship in their three years of teaming together.

Wins and losses have mostly mattered in AEW over the past five years, yet despite not suffering a single defeat in the many matches they've had as partners, the tag titles have eluded them entirely.

This is likely due to AEW not wanting Sting to lose at all so he can maintain his mystique, but strictly from a storyline standpoint, it doesn't make sense why they wouldn't have challenged for the gold even once.

Sting's sendoff will sell itself, but to add stakes, there's still time for AEW to "belt" either tandem ahead of Revolution with the drama being that Sting can retire as a champion.

The outcome is irrelevant, but that would at least be a far better use of the straps than the drivel they've been involved in recently with Ricky Starks, Big Bill and Chris Jericho.

Nick Aldis Has Excelled as SmackDown GM Ahead of Inevitable In-Ring Role

Anyone with familiar with Nick Aldis' pre-WWE work is aware of what he brings to the table. He's extremely skilled between the ropes but really shines on the microphone and carries himself like a star.

Although hiring him as a member of the active roster would have been ideal initially, WWE's decision to name him the new general manager of SmackDown in October has been much more rewarding.

The 37-year-old immediately found his footing in the role by standing his ground against The Bloodline and not being booked like every other power-hungry authority figure WWE has had.

Aldis is also getting consistent television time in the process, so when it comes time for the former NWA worlds heavyweight champion to transition back into the squared circle, the audience will already be familiar with him.

A WrestleMania 40 match with Randy Orton would be an excellent use of both men, but there would be nothing wrong with WWE keeping him as SmackDown GM for the foreseeable future.

Aldis has excelled so far and can continue to be a bright spot of the show for as long as he's calling the shots.

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Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website, WrestleRant, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more wrestling-related content.