10 Recent WWE Burials We Just Can't Explain

1. WWE Evolution 2

WWE Evolution
WWE.com

Slipped under the radar a bit this, particularly because WWE were forming the most female-friendly WrestleMania at the time, but the damage potentially done by a lack of follow-up to 2018's iconic Evolution card could be felt for years in both brands' women's divisions.

Becky Lynch, Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair headlining the 'Show Of Shows' was every bit the big deal the company trumpeted. It was better late than never, but it was still better - the programme and match were in the spot on merit even in spite of the organisation's heavy-handed marketing management. Yet, even Steve Austin wasn't immune to Vince McMahon's bottom line, and just like when he began losing interest in 'The Rattlesnake' in 2002, he's already starting to get bored of the broad vision of equality his talent (and daughter, and son-in-law) have helped craft.

The inaugural edition of the show was a total firecracker in execution, but ticket sales were slow, interest through various social metrics was down, and the card in general was bolstered by a white hot crowd insistent on helping every outing over the line.

WWE's relationship with Saudi Arabia commenced in earnest in 2018, with Evolution looking as much like a make-good for banned females before the show stood proudly on its own terms. Stephanie McMahon's refusal to commit to round two later this year revealed the reality, and far more worrying trend.

In this post: 
Sasha Banks
 
Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation for nearly 10 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 65,000,000 total downloads. Within the podcasting space, he also co-hosts Benno & Hamflett, In Your House! and Podcast Horseman: The BoJack Horseman Podcast. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, Fightful, POST Wrestling, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has provided in-person coverage of some of the biggest pay-per-views and Premium Live Events in wrestling history, including WrestleMania, Survivor Series, All In & Double Or Nothing in destinations such as New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live.