Editorial: Did the WWE Shoot Itself in the Foot?
Mandy Rose is the WWE’s early Xmas gift to AEW. Short of the WWE having footage of Mandy Rose dropping bags of kittens into the ocean, it’s difficult to imagine how Rose isn’t about to become one of the hottest free agents in wrestling.
The irony is delightful as the WWE has spent the last 17 months building Rose from a promising talent with unfulfilled potential into one of its best female performers (even though said development occurred in NXT).
Now, Rose is likely just three months away from being a free agent and if she’s still interested in wrestling, you can be sure AEW will want to sign her (as will many other companies).
When It Rains, It Pours
In case you missed it, the WWE released Mandy Rose today This follows yesterday’s story of Vince McMahon being slapped with two sexual assault civil claims as well as Vince reportedly claiming he wants back in as the WWE’s head honcho.
Regarding the Rose story, Sean Ross Sapp tweeted:
As first reported by Fightful Select and since confirmed by our own Dave Meltzer, Rose has been released from the company. Content Rose was posting to her FanTime account played a role in her departure.
H/T Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online
Right now, we don’t have many details about the story other than the WWE took offense with some leaked footage from Mandy’s BrandArmy fan account (which is hidden behind a paywall). There may be more to the story and WrestleLamia will monitor it.
In the meantime, let’s look at why the WWE done F-ed up by releasing Rose, in effect handing its competitors a top agent.
Mandy Rose WWE’s Early Xmas Gift to AEW
As fans try to process why the WWE adopted a sudden role as the morality police, the fact remains that Mandy Rose is a valuable talent. She has always had the stunning good looks associated with contemporary wrestling and undeniable charisma.
Her time as Sonya Deville’s tag partner in Fire and Desire didn’t give her a chance to showcase her wrestling skills much but it was obvious she was no stumblebum leftover from the Divas Era.
Around 2020, Rose showed what a terrific character she could play when she worked the fan-favorite romance angle with Otis. While this storyline fizzled due to the WWE’s inability to write extended storylines, it showed Rose was more than a pretty face.
The Mandy Rose Resurgence: Paid for You by the WWE
Nonetheless, fans asked if she could really wrestle. A move to RAW seemed to put Mandy’s career on the critical list but a surprise move to NXT changed everything.
Mandy Rose began wrestling as a heel, aligning herself with Jacy Jayne and Gigi Dolin as the trio Toxic Attraction, a heel faction that quickly led to Rose winning the NXT Women’s Championship. There, Rose shined as champion, putting on some terrific title defenses, elevating her heel act, and proving beyond any doubt she was more than eye candy.
The WWE gave Rose a fantastic opportunity to show everything she can do and she succeeded. Now, she’s gone from a mid-card act to main eventer, courtesy of her hard work and the WWE. Sadly, the WWE’s decision to release her could be one of its biggest blunders ever.
Mandy Rose: WWE’s Early Xmas Gift to AEW
Is Rose gone from the WWE for good? Bryan Alvarez noted on Wrestling Observer Live that:
“I was given the impression that it’s not like she can never come back, and there is a possibility down the road she will come back, but for now she is gone.”
H/T Ringside News
While there’s always the chance Rose could return to the WWE, why would she want to? She is now recognized as a main event star who has everything a promotion wants in a wrestler: good looks, in-ring talent, mic skills, and charisma.
Rose has shown business acumen throughout her career and this could be her biggest chance yet to capitalize on her assets.
Only time will tell whether she returns to the WWE but if she heads to AEW or elsewhere, this could be the biggest blunder since Eric Bischoff released Brian Pillman as part of an angle, only for Pillman to sign with the WWE.
What are your thoughts on the Rose situation and/or this editorial? Let us know in the comments below.
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