5 Women who should have been in matches at Evolution but weren't

Evolution had many highlights from the hard-working women of the WWE.
Evolution had many highlights from the hard-working women of the WWE.

Evolution delivered on many levels.

It delivered some decent spots with returning legends - Ivory looked great and was impressive; Trish and Lita were victorious - and hit on almost all of the matches.

The title matches all told different stories. Ronda faced both Bellas and constant interference from Brie. The deterioration of Becky Lynch and Charlotte's friendship continued as each pushed the other to the limit. Tables, ladders, chairs and announce tables were used by the participants.

And although many were skeptical about the women's battle royale, it was booked extremely well.

Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville were early highlights, eliminating Torrie Wilson and Kelly Kelly. The turn came when Rose eliminated Deville. Is it the end of the duo or will they make amends? It was every woman for herself.

The Tamina vs. Nia Jax feud continued. They even teamed up briefly to knock everyone down just so they could fight again.

And of course, the dancing from Carmella and Ivory. Ivory looked like she hadn't missed a beat. She might indeed still 'have it'. Carmella is growing more and more popular as a face. Maybe she's headed for bigger and better things after her not-so-impressive title reign.

Although mostly positives came out of the first-ever all-women's WWE PPV, there were a few notable misfires.

The IIconics didn't even have matches. They've been used sporadically on Smackdown but have provided some comedy and good character work when used.

And some other women of NXT could have been showcased either in another attraction match or in the battle royale.


#5: NIKKI CROSS

Nikki Cross and her feral, unhinged character are ready for the main roster.
Nikki Cross and her feral, unhinged character are ready for the main roster.

Cross is the last remaining member of Sanity in NXT and has had feuds with Lacey Evans and Bianca Belair. She has reportedly been backstage at a number of recent Smackdown and Raw shows. She's also had matches with the main roster at live events.

She was even seen onstage when the historic announcement of Evolution was made.

While it is true that there is an embarrassment of riches in regards to the women WWE has under contract, Cross is someone who has been on the roster for a long time. Not as long as Wesley Blake or Angelo Dawkins, but she's been on the NXT roster since April of 2016.

It could likely be that there isn't a storyline for her. They may want her to do more down in NXT.

When the attack of Aleister Black storyline is completely over, is she just going to run around saying 'she knows' to everybody?

#4: KAITLYN

Kaitlyn looks a lot different now than she did in this picture.
Kaitlyn looks a lot different now than she did in this picture.

This might be more a personal preference, but Kaitlyn could have been in the battle royale at Evolution.

She's fresh in our minds (if you watched the Mae Young Classic) and had a good story that could have been highlighted.

She's overcome a divorce, a drug addiction and a battle with alcoholism. To be blunt, she had a messy few years in which she needed to find herself.

They could have told the story that she left and came back even better and hungrier. It could have been a story of perseverance and redemption. She, like the Bellas, started her own clothing line.

She's also one of the wrestlers from the Divas' Age that wasn't a barbie doll. She was rough in the beginning, but she turned into a competent wrestler by the end of her first WWE run.

She looked a lot better in the Classic, but maybe they just agreed to a one-off match. Or maybe there's more in store for her. Only time will tell.

#3: LAYLA EL

Layla hasn't been in a match in WWE since 2014.
Layla hasn't been in a match in WWE since 2014.

While she wasn't necessarily great or bad in the ring, Layla El was certainly a memorable part of the Divas' Age.

She had an interesting feud with AJ Lee and her time in LayCool was probably what she is most remembered for. The whole 'Piggy James' feud is memorable, albeit for all the wrong reasons.

Instead of Kelly Kelly, they could have had former teammates McCool and Layla in the battle royale, leading to a face-to-face the WWE always love to do in those matches.

McCool can do it on her own, but showing up in the battle royale with her former tag partner might have led to a more memorable showing and a bigger pop.

Of course, El might be perfectly happy in her retirement. She's been married for a few years and may have put the wrestling part of her career behind her. At least they didn't have Rosa Mendes show up.

#2: BIANCA BELAIR

The 'EST' of NXT could have made an appearance at Evolution.
The 'EST' of NXT could have made an appearance at Evolution.

Belair has been targeted as a future star in NXT and potentially on the main roster. Why else would they make her 'Un-duh-feet-ed'?

She hasn't been in the title picture yet, but she's being groomed for bigger and better things.

What better way to gauge main roster reaction than to have her in the battle royale? Instead of Torrie Wilson, who never really was much of a wrestler, why not have Belair have showdowns with the likes of Tamina and Nia Jax?

Unless they were in the NXT Women's Title match or interfering in it, all the ladies of NXT did was sit in the front row.

Maybe it was just me, but I thought more of the women of NXT were going to have a few more spots on the PPV.

Belair is a more powerful version of Naomi - uber-athletic, strong and fast. While she's not my particular favorite, she is definitely talented and someone to watch in the future.

The hair-whip spot would probably garner a lot of 'whoas' from the audience, but isn't it an illegal weapon? Maybe not like a cane or sledgehammer, but you know what I mean.

#1: THE IICONICS

The lone appearance for the IIconics was on the stage at the end of the PPV.
The lone appearance for the IIconics was on the stage at the end of the PPV.

If you have caught the IIconics any time they've been on Smackdown, hopefully you were entertained.

Their voices might annoy you, but their impressions of Becky Lynch, Charlotte and Asuka were hilarious.

They add a hint of humor to their healing, and that's what you always need in your divisions-diversity.

Everyone can't be an ass-kicker like Ronday Rousey or a powerhouse like Nia Jax. Or a glamour model like Mandy Rose.

Peyton Royce and Billie Kay have been side-notes in feuds between Carmella and Charlotte and Carmella vs. Becky Lynch and against Asuka.

Zelina Vega was in the battle royale but has been a great mouthpiece for Andrade 'Cien' Almas. Let her continue to do that. Let the talented Aussies have the spots in the battle royale.

Perhaps the featured match at Super Showdown was their 'match' for evolution. Not all of the women wrestled on that show, but the IIconics did.

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