Wrestling Thread 3: Dan vs. Cam • Page 483

honestly, this is a rare instance of the legends deserving the spot over the NXT gals. Molly Holly had all the tools to start a "revolution" much sooner than we got, but the misogyny ceiling wouldn't allow for it. there will be a women's Rumble until the end of time now more than likely. plenty of time for developmental to get in there, and probably in a better position to maximize the time. i can't see why Peyton Royce coming out to 10% of the crowd caring would be better than Torrie Wilson getting a return pop, the pacing would have seriously suffered. i'm glad the women who got their due got it at all.

 

Everyone would've been upset that their favorite NXT women got BURIED by being eliminated so yea, for the best imo

 

Also, you can easily have Kelly Kelly or Vickie or a half dozen other vets get a moment but no eliminations. It looks bad if Iconic Duo + Nikki Cross + Shayna all come in and get the no eliminations and make no impact

 

I'd guess this is how it played out:

WWE considers the rumble idea. Crunches the numbers, confirms with a couple of key legends (like Trish and Beth) that they can do it and that they have enough NXT women to fill out the roster. 20ish roster people + 2-3 legends mean they need 8-10 NXT women they know can go and ensure an injury or two doesn't leave them a woman short.

Then once they know its happening and not just a theory, they can reach out to the other legends and see if they are interested or not. The more that are, the fewer NXT women they need to fill our the roster.

While this is true, it puts them in a tougher bind for 2019. What legends did they really save for the next rumble? AJ isn't coming back unless the Punk scenario changes. I think 9 nxt women was too many. But I think they could've found two spots for Nikki and one half of the iconic duo (and have the other one accompany them to the ring) and it would've made a more interesting rumble and have it be a real showcase of the past, present and future of women's wrestling.

 

eh, they don't need a ton of "new" surprises imo. Jericho has returned via the Rumble like two or three times, always worked. i think so long as you alternate your Trishs and Litas every year they'll always pop. it is a new city every year after all. we still have Kharma, Victoria, Stacy Keibler, Melina etc that are in good enough health to make a showing. (although i doubt Keibler needs the money)

 

Do they need legends next year? Outside of one or two surprises, they could totally do what they did with the men's match.

 

Unless they expand the size of the main women's rosters, they'll still be looking at needing ~10 NXT women or legends. I think a balance of 5-5 would be fine (any more NXT women and you get too many people the casual fan doesn't know or care about) provided they get a couple of legends they didn't get this past year for fresh novelty factor. Definitely doable, just might be a little harder.

 

Depends on roster size. If they have enough between both brands and planned NXT call-ups, they only need 1 or 2 legends coming back like the men do every year. But for now (and probably another year or two) it helps them fill out to 30.

 

regardless of whether they "need" legends, they're the only reason the casual audience cares about those matches. two of the dudes i watched with didn't give a fuck about anything else. it's been the hook for too long, doubt it ever changes.

fwiw, they popped their asses off for Rey/Trish/Lita

 

I was listening to a few different reviews who gushed about Lita's stint. Couldn't believe people liked her performance in the Rumble. Maybe they weren't showing some of the stuff on camera? I thought she was going to get up from that moonsault with blood gushing from her face. lol

 

lol

 

Rumble should certainly continue to have legends in it. It just doesn't need to be completely full of them.

 

What people have to remember is that theoretically you actually got 7 nxt women in the match.

Riot squad And absolution were created literally to bolster the rumble. They probably didn't want to have a rumble with 7+ nxt women because of..well a few reasons.

If you're upset about no iconic duo....blame the riot squad

 

This is also a valid point.

I think the real crux of the issue is that I'm a massive Nikki mark and am sad I didn't get to see her this weekend.

 

Nikki Cross is a glowing neon example of a missed opportunity in general atm.

 

She's on NXT this week at least

 

my favorite moment from the whole weekend is still the monster pop Hurricane got for goozling Cena and whoever else

 

Completely agreed. That moonsault was scary. I went back the next day and noticed that the angle they used on TV doesn't show how close she came to getting seriously injured.

 

speaking of

 

I agree with this 100%.

It's like she didn't even spring off the ropes. Just kind of leaned back and brought her feet over her head.

 

Where dem wrasslin dvds at @Shrek !??!?

 

i told ya'll this week they're going out Saturday foh

 

Get shrekt @oldjersey

 

Goldust would have been amazing at getting Mandy over on the main roster in the first place. Hopefully Absolution goes away.

 

I’ve been listening to the goldust episode of something to wrestle with today. Love me some goldy