An article on WWE's current problems:
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/101 ... -right-now
The beginning of the article is the usual BS we see now where they are fellating WWE and exaggerating how great the company is currently doing. One line in particular made me roll my eyes, "Creative is stronger than it has been in decades". Do they actually know how long a decade is? The Summer of Punk was in 2011 as was the awesome Mark Henry heel run. The Kane/Daniel Bryan stuff was somewhere around that time I think or shortly after it, as was AJ Lee's rise to popularity. The Shield was in 2013-2014. They just crapped all over the Ruthless Aggression period, which had some good stuff despite the unfortunate rise of John Cena. What about Evolution? Taker vs Michaels? Bray Wyatt? Chris Jericho? Remember "The List" from him and the work he did with Kevin Owens? The rise of the Four Horsewomen? The amazing 24/7 title shenanigans with R Truth and Drake Maverick? Do they also realize that the Attitude Era was less than three decades ago? Are they also ignoring Black and Gold Era NXT? Idiots. This is what I mean about how overboard everyone goes in praising the current WWE product. Yeah, WWE has had issues for several years but describing creative as "the best it's been in decades" is pretty absurd. I guess we have to keep pretending that nothing good ever happened under Vince McMahon as we continue to revise history now that he's gone. Eventually the article does get to some good stuff though and ironically disproves its own claim regarding "best creative in decades". Journalists are stupid.
Here's some choice excerpts:
1. "The problem lies in WWE's insistence on long title reigns across every championship and the importance of PLEs over television."
"It is fine to have certain champions, especially heels, withhold title opportunities, but this does not work when most titleholders are not even following the 30-day defense rule."
2. "Every WWE tag team division comes off as inconsequential.
While teams such as The Creed Brothers and DIY have serious potential as fresh challengers, they seem to be waiting for stories to kick in that will make them relevant.
WWE women's tag champions Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill have serious credibility but no real threats as challengers.
The revolving door of the women's tag team division needs a solid foundation that still has not formed."
3. "WWE is not the same without Roman Reigns on air.
The central problem is that WWE still hasn't clearly established the next top heel to take Reigns' place.
Raw is holding it down much better with Drew McIntyre and Gunther as the top heels, but the red brand has the opposite problem: There is no top babyface.
Sami Zayn and Jey Uso may hold the highest standing, but both have been relegated to popular midcard roles."
4. "WWE has always struggled to pivot at the correct moments to respond to fan reactions. This is a tough ask for any wrestling promoter, but every era of the company has been riddled with missed opportunities.
WWE wasn't ready to capitalize on the growing popularity of LA Knight, Jey Uso or Chad Gable.
Knight has done almost nothing since fighting Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel in November 2023
Jey has struggled to escape the shadow of The Bloodline story, but WWE had opportunities to make him a champion, either winning the Intercontinental Championship, World Heavyweight Championship or King of the Ring. He just keeps losing.
While Gable has thrived since his heel turn, he might have been even more popular after toppling Gunther as champion.
If WWE doesn't find ways to capitalize on the popularity of key stars, it's popularity will wane."
5. "Lack of Apparent Long-Term Angles. The World Heavyweight Championship scene is a mess of names from Damian Priest and Gunther to Drew McIntyre and CM Punk. It's difficult to find a cohesive angle behind it all. The rest of the champions are working from PLE to PLE as is much of the rest of the roster. The most layered storyline may be Chad Gable's Alpha Academy drama, but that angle might be reaching its conclusion rather than just getting good. Especially in the women's division, WWE needs to start developing angles that can keep talent relevant for the long haul. Liv Morgan may be able to slot in with The Judgment Day, but what is the plan for Bayley, Bianca Belair or Jade Cargill?
It is crucial for young talent on the rise to develop angles. Tiffany Stratton, Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov had much clearer stories and momentum in NXT and have a limited window left to carry that popularity forward.
The only WWE angles that have legs currently are stable-driven"
6. "One of the single greatest angles the company has run in recent years was The Rock's heel turn and subsequent attacks on Cody Rhodes ahead of WrestleMania 40.
The Final Boss became an unstoppable force who stood out from the crowd because he was not clean cut. He would swear openly. He promised and delivered bloody spectacles.
Rock's run up to The Show of Shows had the internet on fire in fascination over what he would do next.
WWE has not delivered an angle even close to this since.
Cody Rhodes has faced conventional opponents in solid title bouts at premium live events with little fanfare, and The Bloodline's presentation has hinted at wilder moments but delivered mostly familiar television."
I know people will call me crazy, but several of those points can be tied back to the presence of Cody Rhodes in WWE, how they have booked him, and how they have pushed him - to the detriment of other people. It also feels like they've put all of their chips in on his push, while not giving as much attention to the rest of the roster.
