Rumors! Rumors! Rumors! - in the media.
Woa! Woa! Woa! - from the friends
FOREWORDS: LAST FEW MONTHS!
Fans around the globe were unhappy about the Riott Squad's booking last few months. I, as a person who is looking beyond the display, can say that every appearance on TV, every match or segment, every time you are scheduled to work is important, vital for any Superstar's career. Sometimes many of you forget that. Why she is not in a match and just talk? Why she was booked to lose? Why she appears rarely? It's better to appear rarely than never... In this business, there are periods when many Superstars are pushed back during a lack of creative ideas and inspiration. Even worst - they are released.
I think that The Riott Squad had a medium booking - not worst, not the best (like their feud with Natalya, that was great and which focused on Ruby and Nattie's relationships, mostly). Theirs mixed up with the WM 35's main eventing trio were not just compromise booking, it was the best for the Riott Squad at the time - best than nothing. And 'Beat the clock challenge' was a really suitable segment.
When you have stable like the Squad, you have a leader plus supporting members and in this case, we had a leading figure that was the glue for the team and too bright as a character to be in that team. Paradox.
It started as a good idea when they debuted on SmackDown Live. They continued to be the symbol of anarchy and rebellion on Raw, but Ruby Riott was the one who shined bright and the rest was in her shadow, not because they are not good NO, they are amazing on their own, but in this configuration, they were destined to be in Riott's shadow.
WWE Creatives tried different matches and ideas to put the rest of the Squad step forward. Send them at Elimination Chamber, booked them against Ember Moon (on Raw) or Charlotte (SDL). But I think that somehow Ruby's shadow was too big.
I finally start to understand the idea of the separation of the squad this week as part of the WWE Superstars Shake-Up. I think that now, we can see these three girls on their own. The sad thing is that I expected them to break up in the old fashion way - with a huge rivalry between them. But they were many people's (including us) favorite team - wild, free, deviant!
THE SINGLES' STAGE FUTURE STAR
As I have mentioned - It was a paradox! Ruby Riott united the Riott Squad under her leadership and she was an amazing leader, but at the same time, she was more colorful, more bright, more attention-stealing. Even when she wasn't around during an injury or else there was a presence like kind of her ghost surrounding the other two. You know that she is not ringside, for reason, but your sub-conscious is expecting her, asking for her.
Now, we think that she finally will get her solo career and she will get in position for great things. She can concentrate on future title shots and PPV appearances and she will shine on her own. Because she can, she has what it takes, that's why she rose up that quickly in NXT and then quickly was sent to WWE. SHE IS TALENTED and her talent can't be ignored and can't be limited by including her in a stable. She needs more individual space. I think now she'll get it and she will take everything possible from that opportunity.
THE GOOD VIKING'S WIFE/VALET
I hear that as an idea from Ring the Belle on YouTube and I think it will be great...
Since her debut as a part of the Riott Squad, Sarah Logan has her ups and downs and maybe she needs s some time off as an active wrestler and to work as a valet for her husband's team. Her Viking gimmick will match well with her hubby's team agenda. That doesn't mean that she can't get physical in the ring or outside. Look Zelina Vega as valet - she's tiresome.
We can look at that (if it happens) as stepping back to prepare herself for a jump forward. The valet role will not reduce her value. I think it would make the fans wanting to see her even more involved in the ring, than ever. So, let's be it.
THE COLOURFUL UNDERRATED KID
Liv Morgan was the Squad's Mad Kid!
But we remember the time when she was a solo player in NXT and she was someone who knows how to throw a new move every time she's on the ring. We followed her career since day one, as Marley to Liv. We enjoyed every single match she appeared because she was innovative and brave to try things in the ring. She still is all of that...
She was forced to suppress it in the name of the teamwork.
At this point, her chances in SDL are kind of 50:50 - she may be successful on her own, or may fail. The first several appearances will be critical for her. I think that creatives had some ideas for Liv, but they are not figuring out what exactly or how to introduce her in a better light and as a solo competitor. I think that her first SDL matches and segments will look kind of strange to fans because they will need to adjust to the reality that she is no more part of The Riott Squad. It will be kind of hard and risky, but with time it will be great. Maybe that's why they didn't debut her this week, which was wise. They need to figure it out - how and when.
Liv will have some hard time escaping the underrated role she had with the Squad - she was sort of the weakest link, despite her stunning skills and a great talent for wrestling. Sarah was the powerhouse, Ruby the Leader-That-Shine-Bright and Liv was the kid who often gets beaten down and lose the match or was first eliminate at Royal Rumble... If they want her gimmick to work as a singles competitor and character, they need to pull her away from her past, carefully and somehow to make her look strong and solid as a stand-alone. Hard task and we are hoping for all of them - Creatives and Liv to overcome that obstacle, because everyone is looking over her right now, because of the Shak-Up and everyone is curious what's next!
Liv is kind of set in the spotlight right now and the next move will be important!
RECAP:
Every team or almost every team has its time of disbanding. Women's alliances, for example, are not that stable, mostly because the bookers decide that they can use the prejudice about woman-woman friendship and how the emotions can mix the things up.
I am really in shock about the way Riott Squad is separated. I don't know if Sarah and Ruby will continue their work as a tag team, maybe not. But maybe this is for good and let us memorize their best moments together and concentrate on their future. Whatever it will be, we hope it will be great!
