Grading the divisions of SmackDown following 2021 WWE Draft

#3. The SmackDown women's division still needs some help.

SmackDown's women's roster: Charlotte Flair, Naomi, Shayna Baszler, Sasha Banks, Aliyah, Toni Storm, Xia Li, Shotzi Blackheart, Natalya

The SmackDown women's division was one of the rosters most negatively affected by the 2021 Draft. It was rejuvenated once Becky Lynch returned as her presence added a legit main-event star to the roster.

Bianca Belair has joined the top women in WWE but she has already defeated Bayley (injured) and Sasha Banks. After the Draft, the Boss remains on SmackDown.

With the departure of both the Man and Belair from SmackDown essentially for Flair, it leaves the division lacking credible title challengers. Banks and Flair are both egotistical heels and have faced each other numerous times in the past.

The Boss and the Queen are the top players, followed by Shayna Baszler and Naomi. So far, WWE hasn't shown much faith over the last few years in either Baszler or Naomi as Champions.

With those comprising the top four of the blue brand, it looks like WWE had things play out in the Draft the way it did for Flair to reign until WrestleMania.

SmackDown lost Zelina Vega, Carmella, Tamina, Mia Yim, and Tegan Nox to RAW. Yim and Nox have untapped potential, yet neither has had a prolonged run on the main roster. In terms of additions from RAW, only Baszler presents any type of threat to the SmackDown Women's Champion.

Aliyah, Toni Storm, Shotzi Blackheart, and Xia Li are all first-year performers. Unfortunately, none will present a threat to Flair. Natalya will probably get a title shot due to her years of service but doesn't inspire excitement.

For these reasons, SmackDown's women's division is behind RAW's. Had Belair, Bliss, or even the Women's Tag Team Champions joined the blue brand, it would have added at least one more credible title challenger.

Rhea Ripley and Nikki A.S.H. could have focused on the tag titles before entering another feud over a singles Championship. Due to the constant matches between Flair, Ripley, and A.S.H. over the summer, it made sense to keep them apart.

One thing that could help the division is if/when both Bayley and Asuka return. Both are former champions in their own right but have battled Flair in the past. WWE desperately needs to freshen things up when it comes to title feuds.

With so many essentially unproven names, Flair will likely dispatch all of the new challengers. Unfortunately, that will not help the division move forward.

To truly make things exciting, one of the new faces needs to beat the Queen. Having Baszler or Naomi beat her would be a good move. Otherwise, it'll make the SmackDown women's division too predictable.

Since Roman Reigns has ruled his division for over a year, it won't be good to have Flair do the same.

GRADE - C-