Did WWE make hasty decision with 27-year-old star's push to RAW? Reason for televised absence

Several current stars flourishing on WWE's main roster arrived from NXT this year, including RAW's Bron Breakker and SmackDown's Tiffany Stratton. April's Draft propelled many talents into the spotlight, but one star has been glaringly absent. Kiana James hasn't been seen on the red brand since mid-June.

Kiana James and Zelina Vega lost to IYO SKY in a Women's Money in the Bank Triple-Threat Qualifying Match on June 17 on the red brand. Her absence has confused many, but the former NXT star is nursing a leg injury. PWInsider reports that the rising upstart will miss six months of action.

It's a massive blow for Kiana James, whose WWE main roster career just started, but it explains her lack of use since being drafted to RAW. Her other match on the red brand was her debut, where she beat Natalya.

The 27-year-old appeared in segments, and General Manager, Adam Pearce appeared to book meetings. It was unclear where that potential storyline was headed, but it was seemingly shelved without explanation.

NXT head booker Shawn Michaels tipped James to succeed after she was called up. He said:

"Every time she steps between the ropes, [Kiana James] gets better and better. She knows how good she is, and now she gets to show how good she is every Monday Night."

Kiana James will now heal before returning and potentially getting her main roster career back on track. She was a hit in the developmental brand, spending two years in Florida. She's a former NXT Women's Tag Team Champion, previously holding the title with Fallon Henley.

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Kiana James should return to WWE RAW with a new gimmick

It's fair to say Kiana James' heel businesswoman gimmick was polarizing. She'd be seen carrying around a purse backstage and while making her ring entrance, but it did little for her character.

NXT under HBK is renowned for its carny characters, but this gimmick might not be too successful on RAW. She should return with a new act to give her a fresh start on the main roster.

There are too many stars on WWE's red and blue brands with similar heelish characteristics. Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green are two sassy stars who feel superior to everyone else.

One idea for James could be to reunite her with Henley on the main roster and push them into the women's tag team division. They bounced off one another well in NXT and could help freshen up the division, which lacks depth.