>>531631102
It's because Shadow is back in the spotlight and it's now mandatory to group him with the main 4 because of his popularity. Rouge being a female associated with him just gives her easy points to get boosted to the top instead of trying to juggle Cream while Shadow is the odd one out

Maria was never going to be able to stand as Shadow's number 2 because she can only exist in stories that revolve around the past when she was alive. They can't market her as Shadow's girl beyond that. So if they start using Shadow more, Rouge is going to get more spotlight with him inevitably. Shadougefag unironically won.