10 Bad Habits WWE Must Kick In 2019
8. A Decades-Old Mentality
The WWF would promote with conviction ex-territorial or WCW performers—but not territorial or WCW stars. Ric Flair was the rule-proving exception, but the WWF careers of Harley Race, Dusty Rhodes and Vader were markedly different to those of the Undertaker, Steve Austin and Triple H. Provided a performer was not synonymous with success elsewhere, the WWF would push them—once NJPW/AWA megastar Hulk Hogan had propelled Titan into the stratosphere.
AJ Styles was compared to Ric Flair by Paul Heyman last year, and he has proven true this eternal rule in the modern age.
Look to whom WWE strapped the rocket this year. Look at the real main events, those who went on last. Roman Reigns, eventually, inconclusively, dethroned Universal Champion Brock Lesnar. The at-times equally unpopular Charlotte Flair was the choice to “look strong” ahead of a WrestleMania 35 main event with Ronda Rousey (who, being a genuine celebrity, made her name in the “good” elsewhere). Baron Corbin’s presence dominates RAW. Braun Strowman exists as WWE’s premier pinch hitter.
All four learned the wrestling trade exclusively in WWE, either in its modest FCW training school or its state-of-the-art Performance Center.
At this rate, we are headed towards a future shaped by Lars Sullivan, Riddick Moss, Tino Sabbatelli and Taynara Conti—and they’re hardly wearing shades.