'WWE isn't as good as it used to be'. It's a common criticism, one which is frequently echoed by fans as reason for their lapsed or discontinued viewing of the product. It might seem like an easy excuse, but it's often true. While there has been the odd bright spark here and there, the company has been in steady decline since 2001. One bright spark was 2005. While 2003 was a bit of a write-off creatively and 2004 was definitely a transitional year, things started to come together in 2005. WWE were intent on pushing new, fresh acts like John Cena, Batista, MNM, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio and Muhammad Hassan (although that one didn't quite work out). The company also had a conveyor belt of reliable veterans and future legends, too. Creatively, WWE worked wonders with the Batista/Triple H feud and business was on the up from the previous two years. WWE even had the balls to stage an ECW reunion PPV. It's hard to believe that all of this was going on just a decade ago, when you consider the current sorry state of the promotion. WWE still have their moments and many areas of the business are better than they were in 2005 (less drug/steroid use, wrestlers not having to work hurt, improved developmental etc.). But it's hard not to look back to those days and think 'it was better back then'. Here are ten ways WWE are worse than they were just ten years ago.
