When Zelina Vega joined WWE in 2017, it was expected she’d be pushed as a major in-ring competitor. Instead, she was made the manager for Cien Almas, which seemed a step-down. However, Vega ended up being terrific in the role, with the duo experiencing success ever since.
It’s obvious how a manager can add a spark to a wrestler. With WWE recently focusing on the Women's Division, the manager role has somewhat faded. The truth is some performers are better served as managers, as the role allows them to focus on their strengths rather than forgettable in-ring matches. In some cases, a manager role is the only way a wrestler can get exposure.
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Age and injury also catch up to everyone. Paige is proof of that, as she went from an in-ring performer to an on-air general manager. Some performers can transition to a manager role, proving themselves talented on the mic and capable of captivating a crowd. Even some who have worn titles may be better in a manager role these days.
Here are 10 current WWE female wrestlers who could be better as managers.
10 Mandy Rose
Mandy Rose does try yet she struggles to come across as a serious worker. She was to get a push as part of Absolution, but then Paige’s career-ending injury halted that. She and Sonya Deville have been decent, but nothing spectacular in the ring.
Mandy would be better as the manager for some other wrestler, providing a bit of help now and then but mostly there to add spark to some otherwise forgettable guy. At the moment, Rose might be better in that type of support role than a major in-ring star.
9 Naomi
Rising up from a Funkadactyls, Naomi took off nicely with her fun hip-hop persona and attitude. Her glowing outfits were a magnificent sight, and it paid off with reigns as SmackDown Women’s champion. Naomi can still be a great face wrestler but recently announced a break from WWE due to health and personal reasons.
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That makes it unlikely she’d be pushed in the ring too much, especially given her connection to the Usos who have their own issues. A move to managing might be a step back, but Naomi does have excellent charisma and working the outfits. She can easily be in the corner of either her husband or other wrestlers and still “feel the glow” in success.
8 Billie Kay
The IIconics have had some success in WWE. As real-life childhood classmates, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce were excellent as the obnoxious heels in NXT. Their reign as Women’s Tag Team Champions deserved more attention from the company as they did well as a team. Royce has always been the better in-ring performer while Kay seems to not have to take as well to the main roster.
A manager role can serve Billie Kay nicely. She could back Royce and aid her in cheating to win. Even being paired with other wrestlers can help Kay make more of an impact than she has in the ring.
7 Alexa Bliss
While quite good in the ring, Alexa has always been better as the arrogant heel on the mic and in her interview segments. She started as a manager for Blake and Murphy in NXT, so she could do well in the role.
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With injuries slowing her down, transitioning to a manager role might work out better for Alexa. She has nothing to prove after six title reigns, so managing some champions can keep Alexa blissful in WWE for a while.
6 Liv Morgan
Right now, WWE is making a big deal about the “new” Liv Morgan with a more glamorous character. It’s a shift from her wild Riott Squad persona and there is definitely some potential there. Putting her into the middle of the Lana/Rusev/Bobby Lashley mess may not be the best way to use it, yet Morgan could still shine in a managerial role.
Morgan was always the weak link in the Squad as a worker, but her new look lends itself well to managing. She can be a volatile type while still breaking out her wilder persona at times and it would be fun seeing her use her “new” image in a new role.
5 Maryse
Right now, Maryse seems to have settled into the role of a mom while giving the ring a break. She is very skilled and has previously proven to be a good in-ring talent. Maryse has a nice charisma to carry herself and being aligned with the Miz (on and off-screen) has helped her out too.
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Maryse is a natural for managing her husband but can also deal with other wrestlers as her lush accent can spark up promos. While managing the Miz is obvious, Maryse can be good with other guys, and “turning” on her husband could be an exciting dynamic to push her more.
4 Mickie James
She may not look it, but Mickie James is 40, an age when a lot of wrestlers (male and female) are thinking of hanging it up. Her WWE comeback was terrific to show she still had a lot left in the tank, but Mickie should be thinking of moving into a smaller role and managing could be it.
In TNA, she had the act of an arrogant world-be country music star, and that can still work in WWE. Finding the right person to manage can be tricky, but Mickie is an expert at either heel or face, and even reviving her old “psycho” act could be fun. It would be an excellent move for an enjoyable second career for a WWE legend.
3 Aliyah
WWE just doesn't seem to know what to do with Aliyah. She started off as an "evil Middle Eastern" heel that didn't do well. They then moved her to a "cat-like" character but she also failed to stand out using this gimmick. She is beautiful and the potential is there but she hasn't been able to seize it right. Perhaps a move to a manager/valet role would do better for her.
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There are so many talented women in NXT and the main roster that it's unlikely Aliyah can stand out from the pack. Moving to a role as a valet for another star can be better and finally let her break out in a way she hasn't been able to do in the ring.
2 Natalya
She’s been a great force for women in WWE for some time, yet it’s clear Natalya’s in-ring career is winding down. She can be a good trainer, but maybe moving into managing can work out well. She was good in that role with the Hart Dynasty and can handle the part with her strength and charisma.
While promos have always been her weakness, Natalya can work a mic decent enough on occasion. More importantly, she would be believable backing a guy up. Moving into managing can still keep Natalya in the limelight while letting newcomers take the lead in the division.
1 Carmella
Carmella’s career has been interesting. Fans hated how she won the first MITB Money in the Bank and her partnership with James Ellsworth. Her victory over Charlotte for the SmackDown women’s title wasn’t well-received either. However, Carmella won fans back with her funny partnership with R-Truth and some great comedy antics. She could do well in a manager role with her sassy attitude and backing up some charge with her behavior.
Carmella and Truth did great as a team, so some other “odd couple” dynamic could work out well. Whether her “Mella is Money” attitude or just being more herself, Carmella can shine in a managerial role.
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