If WWE Was Being Honest About 2020
Roman Reigns is a tremendous act. But it doesn't matter how good he is...
"It's something that's new."
Those were the words uttered by Vince McMahon in July when questioned by shareholders over AEW's successful launch and dominance over head-to-head competitor NXT.
Triple H, when pressed, has said deflective words to that effect in the recent past. In April, he bought time by drawing a very generous parallel between NXT and AEW and the 1997 vintages of WWF and WCW, the implication being that, much like 23 years ago, the Fed will rise again and ultimately topple this star-laden flash in the pan. The profound irony, of course, is that he got the analogy the wrong way 'round. There's a company that mirrors the death throes of WCW, all right, but it isn't on TNT.
This is not the problem. Were it so easy, NXT UK would have stolen the buzz away from the main roster. It was "new" in 2018.
WWE remains a relative success in the ratings, at least on Mondays and Fridays. This is important to note because it's what matters the most. But it has fought a battle of perception for years, one intensified by AEW's rise, that will, if not won, mean more in the very end than the rights fee Hail Mary.
Amid an horrific year creatively - eyeball extractions, RETRIBUTION, Apollo Crews working the Hurt Business literally every week in the most unforgivably lazy story in recorded wrestling history - WWE has promoted two star acts and one epic programme to considerable critical acclaim.
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