Some people will shirk at the idea of wrestling being a story-based narrative. They will turn their nose up at passionate promo segments while stating their preferences for an in-ring technical masterpiece of a match. While thereâs nothing wrong with finding pleasure in watching technicians make their in-ring art, wrestling is most compelling when there is an intense story behind it. Think of âTimelessâ Toni Storm and Mariah Mayâs critically-acclaimed feud, or the massive success of The Bloodline. These feuds were *made* by their promos, and Naomi and Belairâs feud, even without a match to its name, is being made by their promo work.
Iâm calling it right now, Naomi and Belairâs feud is going to be *the* feud of 2025, especially if they keep putting out promo performances like this.
Belair is just so good as a babyface. I know people really want her to turn heel, but she has such a charisma to her that she can make the babyface character, a persona that risks running bland, uninspired, and perhaps most fatally, detached from the audience, into a face that you want to root for. It was so good seeing Belair on the microphone to open âSmackDown,â and I think that even with her introductory promo in Tennessee, she showed everyone why she is the face of WWEâs womenâs division.
Naomiâs âproceed with cautionâ gimmick has been absolutely phenomenal. I would argue that it is the best on âSmackDown,â probably the best in the entire WWE womenâs division. It is one thing to act âcrazy,â with unhinged smiles and creepy laughter, but it is another thing to so believably oscillate between genuine hurt with Belair and vindictive anger when your attempts at an olive branch are rejected. Naomiâs range is insane, both as a standalone character and when you consider her previous (letâs be honest) simple âGLOWâ gimmick. She is one of the most creative and theatrical women in the division, and Iâm so glad that she seems to be getting a push. She will be such an interesting heel to put against Belairâs reliable, by-the-book, your-grandma-wouldnât-be-mad babyface. Like, her crying on command? The talent!
Cargill doesnât have as strong of a character compared to Belair and Naomi, but what she lacks in mic skills, she makes up for in pure aura. I do not use that word lightly. She has a quality that you cannot teach: as soon as her theme hits, you know Cargill will walk out with a quiet, calm confidence. Against Belair and Naomiâs more extroverted personalities, such as Belair with her predictable but lovable babyface persona, and Naomi with her volatile emotions, Cargillâs silence feels like a good backdrop to keep the feud from being an overbooked mess. Cargill and Belair even teased a development in their relationship with a staredown after Cargill had tossed Naomi from the ring.
Iâm glad this feud didnât end at WrestleMania. Wherever Belair, Naomi, and Cargill go from here, it will, undoubtedly, be a feud to watch.
Written by Angeline Phu