Formerly released WWE superstars eye return after two years for Women’s Tag Team Championship challenge

By Uddipta Das On May 17, 2023 0

After defeating WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus (substituting for Lita) with a pinfall, Liv Morgan changed the course of Lita and Becky Lynch’s championship reign. Since then, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez have become the reigning Women’s Tag Team Champions.

On the latest episode of WWE SmackDown, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez secured a win against Bayley and Dakota Kai. It is highly likely that their next title defense will be against Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville.

Despite initially teaming up as an impromptu duo, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez have successfully garnered fan support, with spectators favoring the virtuous nature of their tag team. This brings us to the introduction of former WWE Superstars Billie Kay and Peyton Royce.

Released WWE stars could make a comeback

Labeled as The IIconics, the pair managed to overthrow the first-ever Women’s Tag Team Champions, Sasha Banks (also known as Mercedes Mone) and Bayley, during the grand event of WrestleMania 35.

📷 Throwback Photo

The IIconics capture the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships at Wrestlemania 35 (Not 25 😂)

As a fan of these two, this was such an amazing moment. pic.twitter.com/zJW4tHUzHM

— Just Talk Wrestling (@JustTalkWrestle) March 30, 2023

Following an impressive win at the Show of Shows, the widely embraced tag team ultimately relinquished their championship titles to Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross after holding them for 120 days. Unfortunately, they were unable to regain their former prominence in the hierarchy of tag teams. Notably, they had the distinction of being the longest-reigning champions at that time, and they even commemorated their achievement by releasing a celebratory t-shirt. During a particular segment, this led to a playful exchange of flirtatious banter with Roman Reigns.

In 2020, The IIconics disbanded and were assigned to different brands within WWE. Unfortunately, in 2021, both Billie Kay and Peyton Royce were released from the company due to budget cuts resulting from the pandemic. However, a recent social media post by WWE has sparked speculation among fans that the company might be hinting at the return of The IIconics, possibly to challenge Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez for the tag team titles.

Iconic 😎#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/P1EFjjn6N5

— WWE UK (@WWEUK) May 14, 2023

Following a fruitful period of one year with IMPACT Wrestling, during which they were known as The IInspiration, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce revealed their decision to step away from active competition in April 2022. Nevertheless, there are indications that Billie Kay and Peyton Royce might be making a return to the prominent global promotion.

Morgan’s former rival wants to win the tag titles

At WrestleMania 39, Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler emerged victorious in a fatal-4 way “Women’s Showcase” match. This outcome was intended to kickstart a storyline for the tag titles, considering both athletes’ backgrounds in UFC. Unfortunately, Rousey’s injury has resulted in the postponement of the planned program. Initially, they were scheduled for an extended championship reign spanning the spring and summer seasons.

“Ronda is pushing for the tag titles. That’s the match that she wants and whatever she wants she gets,” a WrestlingNews source said.

Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler becoming a tag team was Rousey's pitch.

Rousey also pitched a Women's Tag Team Title run for the duo, with sources of the belief that Rousey and Baszler will be getting a tag title run that will last through Spring-Summer.

– per @WrestlingNewsCo pic.twitter.com/B8xIcy8NCL

— PW Chronicle (@_PWChronicle) March 2, 2023

In the event that Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez maintain their hold on the titles for an extended period, there is a possibility that Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler could make a comeback to challenge the current champions. It’s worth noting the previous involvement of both former UFC stars with Liv Morgan last year, including an instance where Morgan cashed in her Money in the Bank (MITB) contract on Rousey to secure her first world title. However, it was ultimately The Baddest Woman on the Planet, Ronda Rousey, who ended Morgan’s reign as the SmackDown Women’s Champion.