25 Things You Learn Binge Watching Every WWE Ruthless Aggression PPV
2. Women Got Just 2 Matches Over 10 Mins
Earlier, the lack of depth in the women's division pre-'Women's Revolution' was explored. That paper thin talent pool (at least in terms of in-ring work) might go some way to explaining why this entry exists, but it's still pretty shocking. Between Vengeance 2002-Great American Bash 2008, women only worked matches longer than 10 minutes twice on PPV.
A ‘Bra & Panties Gauntlet’ (Ashley Massaro beat Torrie Wilson, Victoria, Maria and Candice Michelle) at New Year’s Revolution 2006 went 11:01. Meanwhile Trish Stratus vs. Lita at Unforgiven 2006 went 11:35. The closest in terms of time to those were: Jazz vs. Trish at Insurrextion 2003 (9:49), A ‘Diva Talent Invitational’ at No Way Out 2007 (9:40), Beth Phoenix vs. Melina at One Night Stand 2008 (9:14), and Melina vs. Mickie James at Backlash 2007 (9:02).
An awful lot of women’s bouts on PPVs during the era went less than 4 minutes. Often, there wasn’t even one on cards at all. Put it this way: If WWE felt like they had enough on the show or might run short on time if they squeezed another match in, then it was typically the women who missed out.
How times change.
The company has gone on to produce entire PPVs/PLEs dedicated to women's wrestling, and some of the most hotly-anticipated matches across Raw, SmackDown and NXT take place in each respective women's division. That certainly wasn't the way of it during the 'Ruthless Aggression' days. Back then, titillation then feeding off meagre scraps of serious in-ring work was a monthly power struggle for the women.