WrestleMania 36 preview: SmackDown Women’s championship Fatal 5-Way

SmackDown Women’s championship Fatal 5-Way Elimination match

Four wrestlers will try to end Bayley’s second run with the Blue Brand’s belt.

The Road to WrestleMania 36

She’s not General Manager any more, but Paige will still Skype into a show to announce a match.

Her segment was actually delayed a week due to coronavirus precautions, which also took Dana Brooke out of the match. That turned a Six-Pack Challenge into a Fatal 5Way.

Bayley’s challengers now include the women she defeated in her last two title feuds - Lacey Evans & Naomi, and a pair of x-factors - the returning Tamina & her best friend/secret weapon Sasha Banks.

When Paige made her announcement, we caught Sasha eyeing the belt over Bayley’s shoulder. The Boss quickly denied that her love of championship gold would interfere with her friendship, and there haven’t been any signs of trouble between the besties.

Over the past two weeks, WWE’s attention has shifted to establishing Tamina as an unstoppable threat. She took out Evans and Naomi on Mar. 27, and on last night’s “go home” show, beat those two in a Triple Threat, then layed out The Boss ‘N’ Hug Role Model Connection.

What’s at stake

That belt Bay’s been carrying for almost a year (except for a few days so Charlotte Flair could claim an 11th main roster title run). But also the near-term future of the SmackDown Women’s division. There will be a title feud. Does this multi-person affair set-up a secondary program, too?

The long-awaited resumption of the Banks/Bayley rivalry doesn’t need the title, and if WrestleMania 36 ends with either of those former NXT champs carrying the strap, Naomi, Lacey & Tamina will probably play a supporting role on Fridays - or look to the tag scene for action.

If they decide to crown Naomi or finally pull the trigger on Evans, the focus could just remain on champ and challenger. Bayley & Sasha could slow burn their break-up while chasing, or WWE could get cold feet again and keep them as a tag team - possibly to feud with Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross if they beat Kabuki Warriors this weekend.

There are lots of interesting options. There should also be some good wrestling from this match - especially if Lacey & Tamina are eliminated early.

Let us know how you think this match and the next few weeks & months on the Blue Brand play out in the space below. And stick with us all weekend long for complete coverage of WrestleMania 36!