WWE Royal Rumble 2018: 5 Takeaways from the Women’s Match

Credit: WWE.com

NXT is where it’s at

The entire women’s Royal Rumble match lasted a staggering 58 minutes and 57 seconds. While it seems like that should be nothing special to note, imagine for a second Sasha Banks’ energy level after lasting 54 minutes and 46 seconds.

The match couldn’t have lasted that long without the help of the endurance shown from the women of NXT.

There was a clear lack of NXT call ups from the women’s side into the Rumble. Ember Moon, the current NXT Women’s Champion, was called up no. 23 and lasted 6:14 before being eliminated by Asuka. Not before fans got to see a snippet of an old NXT rivalry between the two, though.

The moment was a full nod to Asuka’s decision to relinquish the title to Moon, prior to leaving NXT. As well as a nod to Moon’s incredibly painful injury she sustained, and then made worse at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, the night before in a well-loved event.

Kairi Sane was called up to the match as the no. 6 entrant, lasting 4:49 before eliminated by Dana Brooke. A clear fan favorite, Sane got to walk the plank and show her skills for the fans of WWE.

There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that these two will likely see some main roster air time, in the future. As they should.

The women of WWE who were called up from NXT made up the majority of the match. It wasn’t a coincidence that Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks were the first two to be called up to the mat, as they have the clear talent and strength endurance to last as long as they did. They’re leaned on heavily by WWE to be the strong and experienced hands that leads future female talent to victory.

NXT is the breeding ground for the women of the future, and WWE would be better to never forget that.