10 Biggest WWE Creative Mistakes Of 2016

Goldberg’s mauling of Brock Lesnar aide, the James Ellsworth saga will finish as 2016’s most divisive angle. Some have been against it from the start, but others fell for Ellsworth’s goofy charms from the moment Braun Strowman murdered him on Raw. The main issue now is that Ellsworth has greatly overstayed his welcome, but he’s so deeply ingrained the AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose story that he can’t just be unceremoniously removed, and that’s an issue.

WWE could have gotten away with handing Ellsworth one screwy win over the World Champion, but three? Not so much. Sure, Ambrose was heavily involved in all three matches, but losing to a chinless enhancement guy only harms AJ, who’s had a stellar 2016 otherwise.

Furthermore, the damage done to the WWE Championship cannot be easily undone. The belt should exist as a tool to put over the best of the best on SmackDown, and by involving Ellsworth, WWE are essentially saying that hard work, dedication, and everything else it takes to reach WWE’s main event don’t mean a thing anymore. Any old bum can just fumble their way into a title shot, and Ellsworth proves it.

Had this played-out on a smaller stage a la Colin Delaney, everything would be fine. Ellsworth might have been a fun, credible addition had this story taken place in a midcard feud, in fact, but his continued presence only cheapens SD’s main event scene, and dilutes the excellent Styles/Ambrose rivalry.

Fair play to the guy for grabbing his opportunity with both hands, but it’s hard to take SmackDown seriously with him around. Here’s hoping WWE let Ellsworth’s story fall away sooner or later, because there’s little else they can do now that he’s turned heel.