Former WWE manager Dutch Mantell has urged the company to create a compelling rivalry for current WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill, emphasizing the need to build a major contender who can challenge her. Mantell believes that developing such a storyline over several months will strengthen both the champion and her opponent, highlighting the importance of credible competition in the WWE Women’s title landscape.
The push comes amid the latest season of the Netflix series Unreal, which spotlights WWE star Chelsea Green. The show’s backstage scenes reveal the WWE creative team’s hesitation to position Green as either the Women’s United States Champion or a serious opponent for top stars like Alexa Bliss, Tiffany Stratton, or Jade Cargill. This reluctance has left Green’s future storylines uncertain despite her rising profile within the blue brand.
Dutch Mantell Advocates Long-Term Storytelling to Build Chelsea Green
On the recent episode of Story Time with Dutch Mantell, he criticized WWE’s creative direction, particularly regarding Chelsea Green’s booking. Mantell argued that a gradual build-up in which Green sets her sights on the WWE Women’s Championship held by Jade Cargill would create a meaningful narrative. He suggested a storyline stretching over a couple of months to elevate Green as a credible title contender.
“What is wrong with having Chelsea set her goal at getting a shot and winning that title, whoever has it, and work a little program with her and work her way there? In her interviews, her goal is to get that title from Jade. That’s what she’s working to. And you tell a story, and you could stretch it out, possibly at least two months.”
Mantell emphasized that such a storyline would not only highlight Green’s ambitions but also bring depth to Cargill’s character by showcasing her dominance against a worthy challenger. By focusing on their dynamic, WWE could avoid simply arranging short encounters and instead develop a narrative that resonates with viewers, making Green’s rise believable and Cargill’s reign impactful.
“And she’s talking about Jade in almost every interview. And Jade said, ‘I’m not worried about her.’ But then they come face to face one night, and you’ve told a story that where she wants to go is after Jade, but Jade said, ‘No, you’re not getting here. You’re gonna have to show yourself or whatever.’ But Chelsea tells a story that she has to go through this to get to where she wants to go. So I think if you tell a story, much better than just working a straight-up angle. You gotta tell the story because what is her ambition is to get the title.”
Recent SmackDown Match Between Cargill and Green Highlights Potential Rivalry
On the most recent episode of SmackDown, Jade Cargill and Chelsea Green faced off in a non-title match. The bout took place with Jordynne Grace, a new addition to WWE’s blue brand roster, watching from ringside. Cargill dominated the encounter, quickly defeating Green and then directing her attention toward Grace.
Following the match, Grace declared her intentions to win the upcoming Royal Rumble and challenge Cargill for the championship, signaling a possible future storyline involving multiple contenders for the Women’s title. This interaction underlined the competitive atmosphere within the division and suggested that WWE might be exploring fresh angles to reinforce the championship scene.
Importance of Building Strong Storylines in Women’s Wrestling
Creating a layered storyline between Jade Cargill and Chelsea Green could add significant intrigue to WWE’s women’s division at a time when establishing credible challengers is critical. Mantell’s call for a prolonged, character-driven approach highlights how storytelling can enhance the stature of both the champion and the challenger, making title defenses more compelling for fans and viewers alike.
With Jordynne Grace also emerging as a contender, WWE’s Women’s Championship landscape appears set for exciting developments. How the company chooses to book these rivals could shape the division’s momentum and influence audience engagement moving forward.
