The WWE women’s Royal Rumble match officially began in 2018, three decades after the men’s version first appeared in 1987. While Chyna made wrestling history by competing in the 1999 men’s Royal Rumble, it was not until 2018 that WWE held a dedicated Royal Rumble for its female Superstars, offering a new platform for women wrestlers to showcase their talents on one of WWE’s biggest stages.
This article considers a hypothetical scenario: What if WWE had launched the women’s Royal Rumble earlier, starting as far back as 2014, when the women’s roster had sufficiently expanded? Examining the potential lineups, rivalries, and winners from 2014 to 2017 gives insight into how WWE’s women’s division might have developed differently and highlights some of the athletes who could have made history if given the opportunity sooner.
Imagining the First Women’s Rumble in 2014: Paige’s Breakthrough Moment
By 2014, WWE had a growing women’s roster that included names like Aksana, Cameron, Tamina, Layla, Natalya, Summer Rae, and Kaitlyn on the main roster, yet it would have required integrating talent from NXT to reach the traditional 30-woman field. Four Horsewomen members—Paige, Alexa Bliss, Emma, and Carmella—were rising stars in NXT, ready to make their mark.
Paige stood out with her 2013 achievements as the first NXT Women’s Champion, which laid the groundwork for her impressive main roster impact. She shocked fans by defeating AJ Lee for the Divas Championship on her Raw debut in April 2014 and later reclaimed the title in August. In this alternate timeline, Paige winning the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble in early 2014 would be a credible and logical storyline, directly leading to her WrestleMania XXX victory over AJ Lee—potentially even one night earlier than it happened in reality.
Potential 2015 Champions: A Sibling Rivalry or AJ Lee’s Dominance
The women’s division maintained its blend of main roster veterans and NXT talent in 2015, with additions such as Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Asuka, Liv Morgan, Nia Jax, Aliyah, and Daria Berenato (later known as Sonya Deville). This deeper roster expansion presented multiple contenders for a hypothetical Royal Rumble win.
Given Nikki Bella’s status as Divas Champion that year, having Brie Bella claim the Rumble victory would have set up a compelling championship showdown between sisters at WrestleMania 31, capitalizing on the Bella Twins’ popularity. Alternatively, AJ Lee, a dominant competitor known for her intense rivalry with Nikki, would also make a strong candidate. Her continuing feud with Nikki Bella was among the most significant women’s storylines in 2015, and an AJ Lee Royal Rumble win might have altered the course of the longest Divas Championship reign held by Nikki.
2016’s Rising Stars: Sasha Banks Takes the Spotlight
In 2016, NXT expanded further with new talent like Bianca Belair, Ember Moon (known as Athena in ROH/AEW), Dakota Kai (Evie), Mickie James, Nikki Cross, Mandy Rose, Sarah Bridges (Logan), Victoria Gonzalez (Raquel Rodriguez), and Tessa Blanchard. Meanwhile, Bayley, Nia Jax, Lana, and Dana Brooke transitioned to WWE’s main roster. The brand split also brought Maryse, Carmella, and Eva Marie into the SmackDown women’s division.
Sasha Banks had already made a name for herself by winning the NXT Women’s Championship in 2015 and delivering acclaimed matches defending the title. Winning the Royal Rumble in 2016 would have been a natural step for her to solidify her status as a top-tier performer. She eventually challenged for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 32 in a triple threat match against Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. A Royal Rumble win could have set her up as the clear number one contender heading into that event, confirming her as a leading force in the division. Becky Lynch was also a strong candidate for the Rumble victory and later became the first SmackDown Women’s Champion that year, adding to the array of women who could have been crowned Royal Rumble winner in this period.
Momentum in 2017: Naomi’s Rise and Renewed Competition
The 2017 women’s roster continued to grow, especially in NXT, which added Zelina Vega, Shayna Baszler, Rhea Ripley, Ruby Riott, Nixon Newell, Kairi Sane, Taynara Conti (currently Tay Melo in AEW), Lacey Evans, and Abbey Laith (Kimber Lee). Asuka joined the main roster in September after an incredible 510-day NXT Women’s Championship reign. Liv Morgan and Maria Kanellis-Bennett also bolstered the SmackDown women’s division during the year. Mickie James began 2017 on SmackDown before moving to Raw.
Naomi, notable for winning the SmackDown Women’s Championship in February 2017 at the Elimination Chamber, appeared poised for a Royal Rumble victory given her strong momentum. Though her initial title reign was brief due to injury, she reclaimed the championship at WrestleMania 33 later that year. Winning the Royal Rumble match in this alternate timeline would have aligned with her trajectory as a two-time champion and elevated her status among WWE’s top women competitors.
The Significance of Introducing the Women’s Royal Rumble Earlier
If WWE had implemented a women’s Royal Rumble match starting in 2014, it would have provided earlier opportunities for rising stars like Paige, Sasha Banks, and Naomi to cement their legacies. The event’s competitive format pushes storylines forward and highlights athletes’ endurance and skill, accelerating the growth of WWE’s women’s division.
Early Royal Rumble matches might also have shifted the momentum of key rivalries and championship trajectories, offering fresh matchups such as Brie Bella versus Nikki Bella or AJ Lee’s challenge for the title. Additionally, the inclusion of NXT talent sooner in marquee events would have enhanced the visibility of the Four Horsewomen and other emerging stars, potentially altering the development and popularity of female wrestling talents.
Looking ahead, the ongoing evolution of the women’s division places continued value on landmark matches like the Royal Rumble. While the official women’s Royal Rumble debuted in 2018, reflecting on this alternate timeline highlights the potential for a vibrant and dynamic women’s wrestling landscape propelled by early introductions of such events.
