2022 was most certainly a year of exceptional performances from the WWE women’s division. While it experienced some losses in one way or another, there were those who stepped up, others who returned, and those who firmly established their dominance for years to come. Here are my nominees for Women Superstar of the Year in 2022.

 

Liv Morgan

Liv Morgan’s 2022 was one to remember for her. She had finally been able to break out of her shell and finally win the SmackDown Women’s Championship. She even defeated Ronda Rousey! Twice! How many can say they did that in a calendar year?

In all honesty, Liv’s run as champion wasn’t the greatest, but it also showed to many that she has her groove as a singles performer, and while she stands to improve in many areas, the fact that she was given enough trust to carry a Women’s Championship shows a certain level of faith in her from WWE’s higher-ups.

Who knows if Liv can replicate the same success she had in 2022 in 2023, but I do believe that WWE has found itself someone they can call upon in the women’s division for years to come.

Bayley

While Bayley’s 2022 wasn’t like any of her prior two years, she still established herself once again as a top heel while leading her own faction in the women’s division. I can only imagine that she will be a women’s champion once again sometime in the next year or so. While she honestly made this list because of the injuries and departures of other superstars in the division, Bayley on her own merit is still an elite worker, and a character that is easy to hate.

If there is one thing I’d hope that WWE would work on this year is establishing Damage Cntrol a little bit more. But as for one of WWE’s only Grand Slam Champions who has basically done everything a female superstar could aspire to do in the modern WWE, I have no doubt she’ll be fine.

Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch’s work as a 2022 was really splendid and interesting to see in real time. She started out as a dominant, egotistical champion in which no one could hold a candle to. She would routinely psychologically damage her opponents before overwhelming them with her prowess when it was time to put the championship on the line.

Then, when she finally met her hands at the hands of Bianca Belair, she had a slow descent into madness. How could Big Time Becks not be champion nor be the top act? She tried to procure the championship and the Money In The Bank briefcase by any means, but through bad luck and untimely misfortune, Becky would continue to fail at every turn.

Then, when she was met with a threat bigger than anything else, she turned back face and waged war against Bayley’s Damage Cntrl. Becky has never been shy about constantly finding ways to re-invent herself, especially since her initial heel turn at Summerslam 2018. But she once gain proved that she is still at the cream of the crop in the women’s division, and there’s no doubt that WWE will call her for more big jobs to do in 2023.

Bianca Belair

Regarldess of division, I think you can argue that in 2022, there was no superstar, male or female, that took that next big leap into super-stardom than Bianca Belair. She has the look, the athleticism, the charisma, the championship, and everything else in between that WWE loves in their top superstars.

However, if you have noticed between last year and 2021, Bianca has routinely delivered when she’s been put into a big match spot. Whether it’s primetime WrestleMania slots or other matches in big venues, Bianca has always responded when the call is made, and this makes me wonder what other kinds of big matches WWE has planned in store for her in the future. Certain dream opponents that come to mind include CHarlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey. Regardless of what 2023 holds for Bianca, 2022 was a huge stepping stone for Ms. Belair.

Ronda Rousey

SmackDown needed suitable depth in 2022, and the return of Ronda helped fill in some of those gaps as a foil to Charlotte Flair. She would win the SmackDown Women’s Championship twice and would help lead the show along in Charlotte’s absence.

Unfortunately, Rousey’s year wasn’t as auspicious as her first couple of years was. This isn’t to say that she didn’t have good moments, and perhaps a lot of this had to do with some of the opponents that she was paired with.

I suppose you can say she had to be here by proxy since she was champion for a good portion of the year, but I think many would agree that something was missing from her this year. HEre’s to hoping a new spark can be re-ignited in one of WWE’s most talented female superstars.

AND THE WINNER IS………..

 

 

2022 was the year of Bianca. End of story.