After the latest WWE SmackDown episode, I critiqued Alexa Bliss for what I perceived as a youth-focused promotion against the WarGames team composed of Nia Jax, Rush Legend, Asuka, and Kairi Sane. While I doubt she read my comments, I felt a connection when she completely transformed her promotional game with an explosive attack on Charlotte Flair during Monday night’s show.
Bliss has struggled with her mic skills lately. Although she usually manages to stay relevant, she’s lost some of her edge. This isn’t entirely her fault; her best promotional work was during her "Goddess" heel phase, where she fiercely criticized her peers like Bayley and Mickie James. However, given Flair’s betrayal, abandoning Bliss, Rhea Ripley, and IYO SKY to the heels, Bliss had the perfect motivation to unleash her anger. She delivered a powerful promo, zeroing in on Flair and calling out her superficial social media persona, her hypocritical actions, and her inconsistent standing with the other women. Bliss’s passionate speech was filled with sharp remarks and a fierce glare at the camera, making it compelling to watch.
The standout aspect of this promo was that Bliss managed to make her points without resorting to clichés or immature jabs at herself, which often characterized her earlier promos. Despite being intensely personal, it was a refreshingly powerful approach without the mean-spirited undertones that could undermine her role as a babyface. This nuance is significant; while lesser talents might let rage lead them into heel territory, Bliss skillfully maintained her class while delivering intensity.
Although I have some reservations about Flair’s altered status in WarGames, I look forward to seeing if their feud continues to produce such strong promos from Bliss. I felt down after critiquing her previously, but now? My favorite is back in the ring.
Fan Take: This development is crucial for wrestling fans, as it highlights Bliss’s return to form and reinforces the significance of character dynamics in feuds. A strong rivalry with Flair could elevate both women’s storylines and further enhance the quality of WWE programming.
