Professional wrestling is a dynamic and ever-changing industry where plans can be altered at a moment’s notice. Vince McMahon, the chairman of WWE, is notorious for making last-minute tweaks to the storyline, a habit that fans have often criticized. However, in the case of Nia Jax, one of McMahon’s changes led to her biggest victory to date.
Jax was a member of Team Raw in the traditional Survivor Series match against Team SmackDown in 2018. She ended up being the sole survivor for her team, a spot that was originally meant for Sasha Banks, according to Jax’s interview with “Ring The Belle.” The former WWE Raw Women’s Champion revealed that they were rehearsing for the show when a producer informed them of the change in plans.
“Vince changed it, Nia over,” the producer said, giving Jax a huge opportunity to shine in front of a live audience.
At the time, Jax was still reeling from the backlash she had received for breaking Becky Lynch’s nose during a brawl between the entire women’s division. The incident had resulted in Lynch being pulled from her scheduled match against Ronda Rousey, but it had also given rise to “The Man” persona that would catapult Lynch’s career to new heights.
For Jax, the change in plans at Survivor Series was a mixed blessing. On the one hand, it was a significant career moment that solidified her status as a formidable wrestler. On the other hand, the crowd reaction was less than desirable, as they booed her relentlessly.
“It was the moment, I was still trending, and that crowd hated me, oh they went nuts when I came out,” Jax recalled. “So Vince was like, ‘No, Nia over.’ It was a cool thing, but it was one of those moments where I’m like, ‘sh*t.'”
Overall, Jax’s experience at Survivor Series highlights the unpredictability of the wrestling industry and how McMahon’s last-minute changes can sometimes result in unexpected outcomes, both positive and negative.
