10 Biggest Improvements WWE Have Made In 2016

It’s easy to criticise WWE in 2016. Wrestling fans love letting off steam, and the sport’s biggest company have given them plenty of reasons to complain over the years.

Raw has barely changed since the Brand Split, Roman Reigns still isn’t getting over as a babyface, and guys like Sami Zayn still aren’t getting the pushes they deserve. There are plenty of legitimate issues with WWE’s product in 2016, and these are just the tip of the iceberg. The ongoing ratings crisis only compounds the misery, and adds credence to the argument that the industry isn’t in the best place at the moment.

That being said, it’d be a stretch to say that WWE have had an objectively bad year. They’ve had some dark moments, absolutely, and the ratings problem isn’t going away anytime soon. Still, WWE have made a number of notable tweaks to enhance their product throughout 2016, and they’re stronger for it.

WWE will never be flawless, and it’d take a tremendous amount of cynicism to not acknowledge some of the steps they’ve made this year. The Brand Split has brought a number of huge changes on its own, and while it has definitely created a couple of problems, it’s had a largely positively impact. Sometimes, it’s important to brush the negativity aside for a moment, appreciate the company’s good side, and appreciate the progress they’ve made.

Here are the 10 biggest improvements WWE have made in 2016.

WWE’s commentary situation has nosedived over the past decade. It started long before Jim Ross’ departure in 2013, and WWE’s announcers have become little more than soulless company shills. The focus has shifted from telling a story and selling the action to regurgitating whatever clichéd soundbites Vince McMahon happens to be babbling through your headset that particular night, and it does immense damage to the product’s watchability.

Things aren’t ideal in 2016. Michael Cole remains in-place, JBL’s as boorish and obnoxious as ever, and David Otunga and Byron Saxton sound like they have no idea what they’re doing most of the time. It’s not all bad, though: Corey Graves has done a solid job as Raw’s sharp-witted colour commentator, and Mauro Ranallo has been a revelation on SmackDown.

Mauro is the best play-by-play guy that WWE have had since JR. He knows the sport inside out, always calls the moves correctly, and has an immense backlog of wrestling knowledge to call upon. He drops a cringeworthy pun every now and then, sure, and he shares the announce booth with two of WWE’s worst announcers (and the unoffensive Tom Phillips), but one thing’s for sure: Mauro Ranallo is very, very good at his job.

That’s what happens when you employ a skilled sportscaster who knows what he’s talking about. More of this please, WWE.