10 Big Lessons WWE Must Learn From 2016
2. Anyone Can Be Rebuilt
2016 proved that no matter how far a star may fall, there’s always hope for recovery. SmackDown has brought a number of epic career revivals since the Brand Split, particularly in the current Intercontinental Title feud. The Miz and Dolph Ziggler were lost at sea at the start of the year, but now find themselves among the company’s major players again. Their interest levels were restored when all hope seemed lost, but the theme isn’t restricted to SmackDown.
Chris Jericho started the year as a disinterested, uninspired babyface who was good for no more than hurling a few playground-level insults at The New Day. Now, he’s one of the most enjoyable things on Raw: The List of Jericho, “STUPID IDIOT!”, and “drink it in, maaaaaan,” are more over than half the roster, and while we never know when Jericho’s going to disappear again, he’s been immensely entertaining lately.
Their turnarounds prove that no matter how far somebody slides, they can always be rebuilt. People like Sami Zayn might be struggling now, but WWE need only look to Ziggler and Jericho before tossing him to the scrapheap. Smart booking, solid character work, and logical storytelling can revive almost any wrestling career in 2016, so here’s hoping it pays-off for Sami and co. in 2017.