Paige's Sophomore Year

Paige debuted on the main roster in 2014. That would make this her second year as a WWE diva. A lot of fans were excited when she debuted. She is certainly getting plenty to do. She's on Tough Enough, Total Divas, and has made a movie for the WWE. But what about Paige in the actual diva division? How has she developed there?

The first thing to look at would be her actual performance. I always thought Paige had a lot of potential. In terms of in-ring work, I still think she can do better. She has some nice spots, but it would be nice if she showed more. How about character? I remember seeing her just not being natural in how she showed character in her matches at times. I would say she's improved there. She is more natural. She seems more confident. Once someone is confident in what they are doing, it becomes easier for them to go out and succeed. Depending on what the WWE actually wants out of her, that may or may not be a good thing.

How about the WWE? Have they changed in how they want to push Paige? Paige was a credible jobber in 2014. What has changed since then is AJ Lee leaving and a diva revolution supposedly starting. These things might pave the way for Paige to get treated better. They might start pushing her as a legitimate star. However, the WWE is still showing signs of wanting to push a diva division. They still seem to be revolving around eye-candy. With women like Charlotte and Sasha Banks on the main roster now, that might eventually lead to Paige getting phased out, even if just a little. That is how the WWE pushes credible jobbers. All those extra-curricular activities I mentioned really do not mean anything. Ivory did Tough Enough. She was a credible jobber. Natalya is on Total Divas. The diva revolution seemed to not include her. Brodus Clay did a movie for the WWE. He's in TNA now. It all comes down to how you are pushed on the main shows. Right now, Paige is the leader of her own stable. But that will not last forever. What the WWE does with her after that will be telling.

I have also said that Paige might be the next Mickie James. Mickie James was a credible jobber that took that career where no diva becomes very over and became the most over diva on the roster. Has my opinion there changed since last year? Well, it mainly comes down to how over Paige is. I am thinking the WWE will keep pushing her as a credible jobber, so will she be able to overcome that? I have already seen some fans turning on her. They don't like how she comes off on Total Divas and Tough Enough. And for those fans that gravitate towards in-ring work, they might start liking some of these fresher NXT women that have debuted. Nikki Bella also seems to be a much more competent centerpiece than many of the women the WWE tried to push as the top star after Trish left. She is not the greatest, but the WWE might have an easier time rebuilding the status quo of the diva division with her. That might not be good for many female wrestlers. Of course, Paige is still young and has time to get to the top. Until then, however, I am less confident she can be the next Mickie James.