WWE: Bold Predictions; What Fallout Will the Royal Rumble Bring This Week?
By Bryan Heaton
WWE Completely Undoes The Historic Women’s Royal Rumble Result
OK, hear me out on this one…
We all know WWE is keen on making “history.” If they have to manufacture that history, fine. But we also know that they control the narrative, and whatever they say is history must be so. Here’s an example: What was the first woman’s match to be the main event? You’d probably say TRISH STRATUS VS. LITA DUH. But what if I told you that on the March 30, 2000, episode of SmackDown – nearly five years before the infamous Trish-Lita match – Stephanie McMahon won the Women’s Championship from Jacqueline in the main event?
And look at that – Stephanie McMahon. My skills at tuning out bad commentary led me to miss her saying, “Congratulations to us all” after Asuka’s Rumble victory. But there’s no surprise seeing her make everything about the Women’s Revolution all about her. And that’s why I think this whole Ronda Rousey appearance is just teasing something even bigger than “smile and point at the Mania sign.”
When Rousey offered a handshake to Asuka and was refused, that was the kickoff of a way to get Asuka out of obviously winning one of the Women’s Championships at WrestleMania. There’s no way The Empress of Tomorrow has the undefeated streak end unless she’s already won and defended a title.
But WWE wants Rousey in the main event, because Network subscriptions. Rousey as a fixture in the division also helps their negotiations for new television rights. So how do you get Rousey in the main event without having Asuka lose? Pull a Money in the Bank and do it again. This week, I predict a “special co-branded” mini Royal Rumble (a Queenly Quarrel?) to determine the “real” winner. And somehow Rousey will win over Asuka, and the history making historic Royal Rumble will have been all for naught.