8 Things We Want To See From The WWE Women's Tournament
New stars, old stars, a mix of styles, a prize...
Women's wrestling has developed immeasurably over the past couple of years, and this growth looks to continue as WWE's plans for a summer 32-woman tournament click into place.
Reportedly planned for July (with a Network schedule similar to last year's Cruiserweight Classic), the event could well be the next major stepping stone for female wrestlers - not only in WWE, but across the industry as a whole.
But what steps should WWE take to ensure that this groundbreaking tournament delivers on its potential? As rumoured names continue to spring up across the online wrestling community, it's worth noting that both the CWC and recent UK Championship Tournament have left considerable shoes to fill.
Although neither previous event was considered a complete success, both were received positively. Here's hoping this run of form continues, and that the upcoming tournament helps to develop both individual careers and women's wrestling on the whole.
Here are the best steps WWE could take to ensure that the event is as entertaining and critically well-received as possible.
8. Storytelling
The UK Championship Tournament was generally received better than the Cruiserweight Classic, and one of the main reasons behind this was the fact that it better incorporated storylines.
The CWC - although not entirely bereft of storylines (Gargano vs. Ciampa; Brian Kendrick's experience and cunning) - saw many matches suffer as a result of sparse background. It was billed as a legitimate sporting contest, whereas the UK Tournament had a decidedly more traditional wrestling feel. It came across as a far more well-rounded product, even if the sheer in-ring action of the CWC scaled greater heights.
I hope I'm not alone in wishing for the women's tournament to lean more towards its UK counterpart. Although women's wrestling on the main roster has thrived as a result of improved match quality, it owes just as match (and arguably more) to the charisma and diversity of wrestlers such as Sasha, Charlotte, and Becky.