The WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship, if introduced, would mark a historic milestone in the promotion’s ongoing commitment to gender equality and women’s wrestling. However, while there are many deserving superstars who could represent this prestigious title, there are certain wrestlers who, for various reasons, should not be the first to hold the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. These wrestlers, whether due to lack of momentum, character misalignment, or current booking directions, may not be the ideal choices for this significant role.
1. Nia Jax
Nia Jax is one of WWE’s most imposing figures in the women’s division. However, her inclusion as the first WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion might not be the best decision. Jax is a powerhouse and has found success as a dominant figure, holding the Raw Women’s Championship in the past, but her wrestling style and character don’t align well with the traditional, competitive spirit that the Intercontinental Championship symbolizes. The Intercontinental Championship is often portrayed as a title for the workhorse of the roster—someone who delivers exceptional matches and is constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible inside the ring.
Nia Jax, on the other hand, tends to be portrayed as a force of nature, using her size and strength to overpower opponents rather than showcasing technical wrestling or in-ring finesse. Her booking has often leaned on destructive force rather than the nuanced storytelling or technical mastery that would make her the ideal first champion for this particular title. Giving Jax the Women’s Intercontinental Championship could be seen as a step backward in terms of establishing the title as a prestigious competitive accolade, rather than a storyline tool for her to crush opponents.
2. Tamina
Tamina has been a staple in the WWE women’s division for over a decade, but despite her longevity and strength, she has not been positioned as a technical wrestler or a workhorse, which are key traits associated with the Intercontinental Championship. Much like Nia Jax, Tamina is more frequently booked as a powerhouse and enforcer, focusing on her brawling ability and brute strength. While these attributes make her an excellent contender in certain circumstances, the Women’s Intercontinental Championship requires a champion who can put on consistently high-quality matches with a variety of opponents.
Tamina’s character and in-ring style simply don’t fit the archetype of an Intercontinental champion, who is usually someone capable of thrilling the crowd with their wrestling ability. She has yet to receive a major singles championship opportunity, and while this could be a sign of underutilization, her current booking doesn’t suggest she would be the best representative of a new, historically significant title.
3. Lacey Evans
Lacey Evans, who has been a part of WWE for several years, is a talented wrestler with a unique persona, combining a military background with an old-school southern belle character. However, Evans has been booked in a more traditional, almost “classic” heel role, which contrasts with the dynamic and often more relatable qualities of the typical Intercontinental Champion. While Evans has showcased solid wrestling ability, her character has not always been met with fan support, and she has been positioned more as a “villain” to be hated than as a wrestler who earns respect through hard-fought, exciting matches.
In order to make the Women’s Intercontinental Championship feel legitimate and significant, it would be important for the first holder of the title to be someone who has earned respect for their in-ring skill and tenacity. Lacey Evans has not yet fully found a way to connect with the audience in the way that other potential champions have, and placing the Women’s Intercontinental Championship on her could further highlight the divide between character-driven storytelling and in-ring athleticism.
4. Carmella
Carmella is an extremely charismatic performer, known for her entertaining persona and her Money in the Bank contract victory. However, Carmella’s in-ring style and overall booking would make her a less ideal first WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion. Although she has held the SmackDown Women’s Championship in the past, her matches have often been more about the character work and outside interference rather than showcasing a relentless in-ring style that fans would expect from an Intercontinental titleholder.
Carmella’s reliance on tricks and distractions—often in the form of her association with outside characters—distracts from the pure athleticism and competitive spirit that the Intercontinental Championship represents. As the first champion, the title would need to be associated with someone who can make a significant impact in the ring, and while Carmella is undoubtedly talented, her booking has largely revolved around character-driven narratives, which doesn’t necessarily make her the right fit for a title that demands technical and competitive credibility.
Conclusion
The first WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion should represent the ideals of athleticism, hard work, and in-ring prowess. While wrestlers like Nia Jax, Tamina, Lacey Evans, and Carmella are all talented in their own right, their current storylines, character alignments, and in-ring styles do not make them the best fit for a title that should celebrate workhorse talent. Instead, WWE would be wise to crown someone who has the skills and the fan support to represent the title with pride and integrity, elevating both themselves and the championship in the process.
