The WWE has become a scripted mess over the last several years and it finally seems to be turning the corner. The question is, Will it finally peak again? Will the PPV’s become watchable and intriguing like once before? My goal with this series is to elaborate on the latest developments within the WWE and discuss why I think they may or may not be good for business. As always I welcome all arguments and agreements.
The Good
I have to be honest when I say that Elimination Chamber was one of the most entertaining PPV’s I’ve seen in a long time. There was plenty of solid matches, with the Divas being one of them. It is usually the popcorn break or trip to the restroom, but instead the crowd seemed to be thoroughly entertained. This is a division that has taken its bumps over the last several years, but with Nikki Bella becoming a solid women’s wrestler (not entertainer) and the future influx of more NXT Talent, it seems to finally be relevant again.
Another bright spot was the main event that involved many twists and intrigue along the way of its build up over the last several weeks. What would be Kane’s role? Would the hint of a Roman Reigns heel turn come to fruition? Well, that didn’t happen, but the match itself remained thoroughly entertaining. As much as it was unwanted, Rollins won by DQ and continues to be Champ. However, having Ambrose steal the belt was an absolute audience pleaser leading to one of the loudest crowds I’ve seen in some time. It was actually reminiscent of the old school Stone Cold angles that had us all encapsulated so many years ago.
Besides the PPV, I would be doing this article a disservice if I didn’t mention the prominent role of NXT. This role has changed the course of the game within the WWE. As a developmental show, it certainly seems to be in a league of its own. Triple H has plotted and planned big things for his special project for some time and now it has become one of the main focal points inside the company.
Kevin Owens is the latest wrestler to get catapulted to the main roster and he has been nothing short of brilliant in my eyes. Yes he has been in the business for a while. Yes he may be more polished than some of the others. Either way, the fact that his first win was a clean pin over the Franchise goes to show his push is real.
NXT has been a brilliant transformation of young and seasoned talent looking to be future champions. We are finally seeing the bright future of the WWE instead of the past superstars of the WWF. I completely understand the excitement around seeing a star of yesterday wrestle one more match, but to include them into a weekly storyline does the roster an injustice and is bad for business.
Along these same lines, it has been an ingenious move to sign stars like Samoa Joe, further cementing the NXT show. These moves add an extra amount of suspense as to when and where their main call up will happen. All in all, NXT might have saved the WWE.
The Bad
Obviously when there is good, there usually is bad as well. In my opinion, there are a few things right now that could use a new direction or a complete change. The Authority was inserted into the storyline to show Triple H and Stephanie as a power hungry couple who gets and does whatever they want. Where have we seen this before?? They have their own security (Seth’s Clown guys), Executive officer, and franchise wrestler. This is no different from the Corporation we seen in years past with Shane, Vince and The Rock. I liked it then, but when is enough, enough? How many recreations of the same scenario do we have to ingest? We need less Authority and more wrestling. Week after week we already know how the show will end or have to look forward to the inevitable tag team match involving Kane. Yes, the same tired wrestler who can barely pick up Michael Cole for a legitimate choke slam. Do we really need a 20 min Authority segment week after week?
One of my other negatives right now is the constant talent stuck in midcard hell and the lack of creative direction. Dolph Ziggler continues to lose, Bray Wyatt goes from the Face of Fear to Master of the Middle, and R-Truth somehow dances his way from Slim Jim showcase to the confines of the Elimination Chamber IC Championship match.
Lana is another talent that seems be lost in an uncreative spiral. One weekend she’s Rusev’s lady and now she is Dolph’s side piece. I know the word was around about her big push, but where does the Ziggler thing come from? She helped Cena win the “I Quit” match, so it would have made sense for her to be with John. I know that spoils the whole Total Divas and Nikki Bella angle, but I am merely making the point that the attachment with Ziggler came out of nowhere.
This are the types of decisions that continue to have us scratching our heads looking for answers. We always expect a difference in opinion in regards to show and performance. Overall I think the product has gotten extremely better and as long as NXT remains a centerpiece in the WWE’s future, it will continue to rise. What do you guys think?
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