In the realm of WWE storylines, few have captured the hearts of fans quite like the romantic angle between former NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose and the lovable Otis. Their storyline, which unfolded amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, remains a cherished memory for many WWE enthusiasts. Recently, Mandy Rose opened up about this unforgettable chapter of her career on her podcast, “Power Alphas,” drawing intriguing parallels to Otis’ current storyline.
For the past several months, Otis has been involved in a slow-burn narrative within the WWE, hinting at a potential turn against the increasingly abusive leader of Alpha Academy, Chad Gable. This storyline has featured Maxxine Dupri, sparking speculations about a budding romance between her and Otis, reminiscent of the Otis-Mandy Rose saga.
“At Clash at the Castle, Otis picked up Maxxine like he picked up me,” Rose noted on her podcast. “Obviously that’s been done before, but you know it’s getting a lot of comparisons.” These words fanned the flames of speculation, as fans couldn’t help but draw parallels between the two storylines.
Reflecting on her time working with Otis, Rose praised their romantic angle as “one of the greatest storylines of all time.” She lamented the production limitations imposed by the pandemic, which forced their storyline to culminate in an empty arena. “That big kiss that happened in the performance center, we wished that was in front of thousands of people because that crowd would have erupted,” Rose said, highlighting the emotional impact the moment could have had in front of a live audience.
Since her release from WWE in 2022, Rose has continued to follow the company’s product closely. Despite the similarities to her own storyline, she remains a fan of the current Alpha Academy angle. “I understand what they’re doing with the Maxxine thing right now,” Rose commented. “I think it’s actually a really entertaining group. I think Chad Gable’s really come a long way, and he’s actually a really good heel.”
However, not all fans share Rose’s enthusiasm. Some believe WWE rushed the ending of the Alpha Academy storyline on a recent episode of “WWE Raw.” The episode concluded with Chad Gable seemingly incapacitated by the debuting Wyatt Sicks. This twist saw Gable being replaced by Ilja Dragunov in a Money in the Bank qualifying match, apparently further distancing him from Otis, who vowed to one-up Gable by winning and cashing in the titular briefcase.
The sudden shift left fans speculating about the future direction of the Alpha Academy narrative. Will Otis finally break free from Gable’s shadow? How will Maxxine Dupri’s role evolve in this storyline? These questions linger as WWE continues to weave its intricate tales of drama and athleticism.
Mandy Rose’s reflections not only provide a nostalgic look back at one of WWE’s most beloved storylines but also offer a unique perspective on the ongoing developments within the company. Her insights remind fans of the magic that well-crafted storylines can bring to the world of professional wrestling.
