WWE Raw 25 Failed To Showcase Women’s Evolution Appropriately
Going against their promise of a women’s evolution, WWE failed to include female WWE legends in the action on Monday night’s 25th anniversary episode, WWE Raw 25.
Monday night, WWE celebrated its 25th anniversary with WWE Raw 25, marking its impact on the wrestling industry, sports entertainment, and athletic showmanship.
As chance would have it, the episode was also the go-home show for the upcoming Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
Split between the infamous Manhattan Center and the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, WWE legends of all ages and gimmicks made appearances in after commercial promos, interviews, backstage bits, on-stage tributes, and most importantly, in-ring action.
Fans got a chance to see Stone Cold Steve Austin open a can on the McMahon men, D-Generation-X team up with The Balor Club, the Dudley Boyz put Heath Slater through a table, Chris Jericho comment on Elias’ scarf, a very crowded poker game, and amazing interviewers other than Renee Young. Undertaker even had a chance to preach to the crowd at his home turf.
In true WWE form, the combination of too many elements created a chaotic mess that pleased few and bored many. WWE tried too hard to incorporate too many names, too many promos, and too many locations.
What really did the anniversary of Raw an injustice, however, was the exclusion of action from past Divas and female WWE legends.
Kelly Kelly, Trish Stratus, Torrie Wilson, the Bella Twins, Jacqueline Moore, Maryse, Michelle McCool, Terri Runnels, Maria Kanellis, and Lilian Garcia all made an appearance on stage at the anniversary episode–and waved.
Not one female WWE legend or Diva saw a chance to fight in ring, or give “the rub” to the new generation. The generation of women, said by WWE, to have the opportunity to launch the women’s evolution into the stratosphere.
With the historical landmark of the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble match less than a week a way, WWE decided to simply air a four-on-four match that was served as an appetizer for the main event.
The match simply got lost in the noise, and completely removed from Hulu’s weekly 90 minute Raw recap.
Fans were given teasers for weeks leading up to Raw 25; teasers that spilled names from the women’s record book. Yet, no legend was given a chance to entertain and educate the new female (and male) talent.
The Women’s Division today is growing in stature and talent, hitting historical landmarks along the way. Every one of them will tell you, that’s thanks to the women who paved the way for them.
When I was 19 years old, I first met @trishstratuscom backstage at #Raw. Trish had no idea who I was but she was unbelievably kind to me & so gracious with her time. All these years later, it feels great to finally tell her in person, that she was one of my biggest inspirations. pic.twitter.com/hxfsBLIjR3
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) January 23, 2018
So, it would be reasonable to expect a bigger tribute and homage to the women that made it possible for the women’s division to grow. It would be reasonable to expect a bigger Royal Rumble hype match than the four-on-four match we were given.
Asuka turned at the end of the match that aired live, and it could definitely spell trouble for the other women, but her heel move was overshadowed by the Steve Austin segment that aired shortly before.
Credit: WWE.com
Everyone was gushing about the Stone Cold opening sequence; no one was impressed with the only women’s match of the entire show, a show that spanned over three hours.
Arguments have been made that WWE refused to schedule a women legends fight because they wanted to save the action for Sunday’s pay-per-view.
While that may have been WWE’s intentions, it simply looked like the writing department had little time or interest in creating a show for the women.
All fans are begging for more talent and better story lines within the women’s division. The women are begging for a chance to be given the same opportunities, and to be respected and treated as athletes, not reality television stars.
Credit: WWE.com
The way to honor the women of WWE past and present is not to parade them on stage with waves, but to let them show the world what they’re really made of. Raw‘s 25th anniversary episode failed to live up to the evolution WWE wants for their ladies.
Monday’s episode drew in 4.53 million viewers. Millions of viewers that could have seen a show that delegates solely on talent, if only WWE would get out of their own way.
If WWE sells a historical women’s match, they usually provide one. They’ll need to show their cards if they don’t want to lose a key demographic and fan base.
Next: The Mount Rushmore of Women's Wrestling
The women of WWE will get their chance to prove themselves Sunday, Jan. 28, at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view in Philadelphia. Tune in to see women’s history in the making.