The REAL Reason Nia Jax Was In WWE's 2019 Men's Royal Rumble

A much simpler reason for Jax's unexpected appearance is WWE's unique form of discipline through humiliation. Jax became the bête noire of the online wrestling community when her potato fists ruled Becky Lynch out of her much anticipated Survivor Series match against Ronda Rousey. Jax's history of careless violence instigated calls for the company to, if not punish the star - after all, her clumsiness is coincidental - then at least limit her opportunity for destruction.

WWE perhaps misunderstood. They weren't trying to achieve that by moving her to the men's division; this had all the hallmarks of punishment booking. Leveraging residual animosity towards Jax, the Samoan, despite her single elimination, was ultimately embarrassed at the hands of her male counterparts, with Jerry Lawler guffawing all the while.

Given the rumoured history of backstage bullying against Nia Jax - and WWE's close and incredibly valuable ties to her illustrious cousin - purposefully and publicly embarrassing the former Raw women's champion would be sheer idiocy.

Not to mention the wider implications. Making a mockery of specific Royal Rumble rules hardly matters; after all, the actual women's winner Becky Lynch blagged her way into the contest on the basis of mutual Irishness with producer Dave Finlay. But does this now mean a man can enter himself into the women's equivalent? Or that we will see a mixed Rumble in the future, with WWE already tiring of the two-match format?

Whatever the answer to those questions, it establishes the women's division as 'lesser'. Is a short-term talking point, an elaborate rib, or, worse, a desire to punish a performer for their ineptitude, worth it at the expense of undermining unquestionably the best part of WWE's product right now?

Probably not. But WWE are frequently myopic when staring at the bigger picture. They're not like other companies.