10 WWE Storylines That Barely Ever Work

It's worth prefacing this article with the understanding that WWE are more than capable of fashioning a consuming narrative that can pop even the most heartless of crowds. Daniel Bryan and Becky Lynch's rise and the recent Roman Reigns and D-Bry whodunnit show that they can commit to a story when it suits them.

With that being said, it's frustrating that the company has a habit of consistently delivering underwhelming angles that flatter to deceive and retrace the same ground we've all witnessed before.

I'm not saying that being predictable is a bad thing, it's just that the new expectation is for WWE to blow their load before a feud has come to its natural conclusion. You can't build a friends turned enemies angle and suddenly throw the whole thing out the window in favour of a cheap reaction. I'm looking at you 2019 Shield Reunion.

Of course, fans will be shocked if you pull the rug from under a programme so early, but we're talking about the dreaded 'buuuuuulsh*t' shocked, not the post on Twitter to spread the word shocked.

If this list can achieve one thing, it would be to highlight just how often we've seen the same unoriginal or lacklustre programme play out in front of our very eyes. Maybe with AEW banging heads with Vince McMahon's pride and joy, we could see creative chances finally be taken again.

In the meantime, let's discuss what happens when there's no competition to battle against...

Love in WWE is a narrative that has consistently underwhelmed over the last 10 years.

Why?

Well, it could be down to two things.

Firstly, it's hard to commit to the idea of a relationship in WWE - especially if it's kayfabe - as we live in the age of social media/exposure. We knew that Summer Rae wasn't going steady with Rusev in 2015 as we saw on Instagram that he was in a happy relationship with Lana.

Secondly, we can smell a premeditated attempt to use a relationship to get one half of the couple over a mile off. Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins real life love didn't come across well on screen as it felt like a forced attempt to get some of Lynch's shine to rub off on Rollins. As John Cena and Nikki Bella's relationship being aired to the public failed to make the Bella relevant in the Women's Revolution era.

Gone are the days of the torment of Macho Man and Miss Elizabeth's will they-won't they.

The cold hard truth is that social media has made a controversial love feud near impossible - the only example of it truly working was when the legitimate Edge, Matt Hardy and Lita love triangle was exploited - as no performer is willing to wholeheartedly commit to it in public, 24/7.

I hope Lana, Rusev and Lashley can prove me wrong.