10 Awesome WWE Moments That Went Absolutely Nowhere
Survivor Series 2014 was a farce.
Modern WWE storytelling is all about singular moments.
Long-term programs still exist, but only in skeletal form. Today, the company are more focused on delivering quick-hitting dopamine fixes than anything else, with epic, sprawling narratives largely a thing of the past. They don't even attempt to hide it, either: the word "moment" is often one of the first to spew from Michael Cole's mouth whenever something big happens, with his subtly hammer ensuring you know where their priorities lie.
This calibration is largely to blame for WWE's creative malaise, though it has at least fulfilled its goal of keeping the company's highlight reels stocked. Still, their laser focus on the short-term has created an environment defined by unsatisfying follow-ups. Even when the company deliver something truly memorable, they struggle greatly with keeping the momentum going, and it's becoming increasingly rare for feuds and storylines to maintain consistent quality levels.
The second or third act of a WWE story is often the worst. Memorable jump-offs regularly nosedive, sometimes due to injury or other unforeseen circumstances, but it's usually down to the bookers. They just couldn't follow these awesome flashpoints, and each is a huge missed opportunity...
10. The Revival's Debut (Raw - April 2017)
Raw 25 was bad, but Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson's stock has never felt lower than when they were stood around at this week's B-Team BBQ, filling their faces with bratwurst and bologna, surrounded by by the red brand's dregs.
Once one of the best teams on the planet, they're now on the level of Titus Worldwide and Breezango. Those world-class NXT matches with American Alpha and DIY may as well have taken place in an alternate dimension. The Revival are toast, and it's clear that WWE have no interest in pushing them after a long string of main roster missteps.
Their debut remains Dash and Dawson's greatest Raw moment. Arriving the night after WrestleMania 33, they answered The New Day's open challenge to a great pop, then soundly defeated WWE's most successful team. They followed it up with another victory the following week. All signs pointed towards a mega-push, but alas, disaster was around the corner. Wilder fractured his jaw four days later, and that was it.
The Revival haven't been pushed since. Dawson was hurt not long after his partner's return, but they've done nothing even when healthy. Undone through injury and cack-handed booking, their debut's promise was quickly lost.