Natalya Officially Added To SmackDown Women's Team For WWE Survivor Series
The Queen of Harts was added to the match after losing her title to Charlotte Flair.
WWE have confirmed that Natalya will be the fifth member of SmackDown Live's women's team at Survivor Series tonight, joining brand-mates Becky Lynch, Carmella, Naomi, and Tamina. They'll square off in traditional elimination against a Raw team consisting of Alicia Fox, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Nia Jax, and Asuka.
Natalya was originally booked to wrestle Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss in a champion vs. champion non-title bout, but lost her SmackDown Women's Championship to Charlotte Flair this week on SmackDown.
Charlotte has been moved to the bout with Bliss, and it therefore seemed as though Natalya would be logically shifted into her place on the Survivor Series team - but WWE didn't reveal anything at first.
The delay in announcing Charlotte's replacement on Team SmackDown resulted in speculation over a few potential surprise candidates - including Paige (who is believed to be scheduled for a return on the Raw brand soon) and Mae Young Classic competitor Shayna Baszler.
As well as Charlotte vs. Alexa, other champion vs. champion matches on the card include WWE Champion AJ Styles taking on Universal Champion Brock Lesnar, and Intecontinental Champion The Miz facing United States Champion Baron Corbin.
Both sets of tag champions will also square off, with Raw's Cesaro and Sheamus taking on The Usos. Although no title belts are involved, The Shield and New Day are also set to clash in tag action.
Natalya's inclusion could cause storyline tension, as she clashed with particular members of Team SmackDown backstage during her time as SmackDown Women's Champion. However, team captain Becky Lynch posted a tweet that seemed to imply a sense of togetherness, stating:
'She was the last woman to hold the #SmackDown women’s championship. She’s from one of the greatest wrestling families in history. She’s as sound as technicians come and one of my favorite people to stand opposite in the ring. @NatbyNature, happy to have you on the team.'
Natalya was originally booked to wrestle Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss in a champion vs. champion non-title bout, but lost her SmackDown Women's Championship to Charlotte Flair this week on SmackDown.
Charlotte has been moved to the bout with Bliss, and it therefore seemed as though Natalya would be logically shifted into her place on the Survivor Series team - but WWE didn't reveal anything at first.
The delay in announcing Charlotte's replacement on Team SmackDown resulted in speculation over a few potential surprise candidates - including Paige (who is believed to be scheduled for a return on the Raw brand soon) and Mae Young Classic competitor Shayna Baszler.
As well as Charlotte vs. Alexa, other champion vs. champion matches on the card include WWE Champion AJ Styles taking on Universal Champion Brock Lesnar, and Intecontinental Champion The Miz facing United States Champion Baron Corbin.
Both sets of tag champions will also square off, with Raw's Cesaro and Sheamus taking on The Usos. Although no title belts are involved, The Shield and New Day are also set to clash in tag action.
Natalya's inclusion could cause storyline tension, as she clashed with particular members of Team SmackDown backstage during her time as SmackDown Women's Champion. However, team captain Becky Lynch posted a tweet that seemed to imply a sense of togetherness, stating:
'She was the last woman to hold the #SmackDown women’s championship. She’s from one of the greatest wrestling families in history. She’s as sound as technicians come and one of my favorite people to stand opposite in the ring. @NatbyNature, happy to have you on the team.'
Written by Jack King
jack.king@cultaholic.com Twitter: @JackTheJobber
