WWE Diva Title Storyline Needs to Establish a Heel

Last week on SmackDown, Nikki Bella drummed up headlines regarding a now controversial promo she delivered to current rival A.J. Lee.

In a worked shoot, the reigning Divas champion said of Lee (seen in the first video below):

"

It's time that everyone knows the real truth about A.J. Lee. Yes, we have heard over and over again your sob story. But, you want to know what? I have worked harder. I want you to take a look at what a real Divas champion looks like. A.J., I want you to know that forever through these fearless eyes, you will always be a pathetic, manipulative little girl from New Jersey.

"

The promo, as it is printed above, was only the portion that aired. The rest was heavily edited, and inspired this tweet from Nikki:

"

Looks like this #fearless diva is too hot for #SmackDown & #WWE #seethetruth #findthepromo #FearlessNikki @WWE pic.twitter.com/1dkiTWfMtV

— Nikki & Brie (@BellaTwins) November 29, 2014"

When it comes to WWE Divas, dirtsheets are usually more concerned with wardrobe malfunctions or who they're dating than who they're wrestling, but this episode has shifted the focus squarely to an ongoing storyline.

What seems like a promising shift in how the WWE Divas are being covered, however, is actually an indictment on the division's storytelling.

Nikki's promo was in response to a similarly scathing post-match tirade by Lee following a loss to Nikki's sister, Brie.

Like Lee, the promo was short but effective. The highlight came when the former Divas champion declared "success is not sexually transmitted," implying the twins' high-profile relationships with top WWE Superstars led to their success.

As entertaining as the back-and-forth has been, the feud has failed to establish one true heel. In each monologue, Nikki and Lee defended themselves as hardworking and noble before insulting their foe.

Common logic dictates Nikki is the heel after betraying her sister at SummerSlam and subsequently forcing her into indentured servitude after defeating her at WWE Hell in a Cell.

However, at Survivor Series, Brie assisted her sister in defeating Lee, and she was happy with Nikki Bella's championship victory.

Despite Brie's loyalty to her villainous sister, Nikki continues to mistreat her even though these actions will no longer create sympathy for Brie.

Lee should be the sympathetic figure now, but she has been colored in shades of grey for months. During her recent feud with Paige, both Lee and Paige were portrayed as mentally unstable WWE Divas playing mind games with one another.

It was difficult, if not impossible, to decipher who could be trusted.

Monday on Raw, the WWE Universe selected Naomi, a babyface, to team with Lee against the Bellas. As noted by Cole on commentary, Lee was indifferent, further demonstrating the ambiguity of good and evil among WWE Divas.

Diva feuds, more than any other, benefit from clarity and simplicity. They receive the least amount of time for character development and wrestling matches. Therefore, when featured, they must resonate with fans immediately.

Why isn't the Nikki Bella character celebrating accusations of sleeping her way to the top in order to draw heat? Why is she still bullying Brie if she turned heel too? Why isn't Lee dialing down her crazy act to build more credibility as a babyface? Is she still even considered a babyface?

These questions shouldn't be answered in a typical Divas angle. They should not exist to begin with.

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