Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss has a challenger for her title at Wrestlemania 34 and it is a familiar face.
During the March 19 episode of Raw, General Manager Kurt Angle informed Bliss – and the WWE Universe by proxy – that she would be defending her title against former friend Nia Jax at the Show of Shows.
The match is MADE! #RAW GM @RealKurtAngle has given @NiaJaxWWE an opportunity at the #RAW #WomensChampionship against @AlexaBliss_WWE at @WrestleMania! pic.twitter.com/7ZuxBx2GUf
— WWE (@WWE) March 20, 2018
This announcement came after Bliss’ match against Asuka. During the bout, Jax came down and laid out Bliss’ friend Mickie James before chasing the Raw Women’s Champion to the back. Prior to the match, Bliss cut a promo on Jax about dropping her as a friend. During the promo she referred to Jax’s weight – the second time she has done this in two weeks.
Fans have panned Bliss using Jax’s body as a target in her promos – it’s not necessarily her fault as it really it the creative staff’s poor writing. This isn’t the first time Bliss has been saddled with poor writing, there was the episode of “Bayley this is your life.”
Bliss using Jax’s weight in her promo is not only cheap heat, but it goes against her as a person. Her battle with anorexia is documented and as someone who has struggled with weight issues, it seems outside of Bliss to use weight against Jax.
Watching THIS = pure BLISS.#RAW @AlexaBliss_WWE pic.twitter.com/GkwKmMfzKZ
— WWE (@WWE) March 20, 2018
There’s been speculation that Jax would face Bliss for the title at Wrestlemania. Those plans kicked into high gear after 2018 Women’s Royal Rumble Winner Asuka challenged Smackdown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair at Wrestlemania. She had the opportunity to be added to the Raw Women’s title match at Elimination Chamber when she wrestled Asuka, but she fell to the Empress in the match.
Bliss and Jax have quite a history during their time on Raw. Before James returned to Bliss’ side, Jax was Little Miss Bliss’ heater and pseudo bodyguard. The seeds for this feud planted for this feud earlier this year. During a post-match celebration, Jax had Bliss on her shoulders, then dropped her.
While Jax brings power and strength, Bliss has speed and technique on her side. She is also developed into a clever heel, who isn’t above cheating to get the win.
While the two have history in the ring, both Bliss and Jax are good friends outside of the ropes. This could provide for a good, well told story in the ring. It may not be the clinic that Flair and Asuka will put on, but this match can bring emotion to the forefront.
The hope is that the build up for this match is well-written and not just a “Mean Girls,” type story where Bliss plays a snotty pretty girl whose only ammo against Jaxi is her figure.
Bliss vs. Jax isn’t the only update for Wrestlemania announced during the March 19 edition of Raw.
POWERSLAM spells the end for @WWECesaro as @BraunStrowman stands tall once again on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/bv3nzeOcbw
— WWE (@WWE) March 20, 2018
Braun Strowman, who will challenge the Raw Tag Team Champions, Sheamus and Cesaro, announced that he does not need a tag team partner at Wrestlemania and intends on winning the belts by himself.
The Revival’s Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson announced they would be participating in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Sasha Banks and Bayley declared they would enter the Wrestlemania Women’s Battle Royal.
