10 Biggest WWE Creative Mistakes Of The Decade

4. WWE Botches Roman Reigns' Comeback

Batista Roman Reigns Jinder Mahal
WWE.com

Jesus Motherf*cking Christ, this was an open goal, and WWE, with no centre half in sight, the goalkeeper laying prone, hit the crossbar. The ball rebounded and hit 'em straight in the plums. But it's OK, because Bruce Prichard laughed, and we'll get him in the next town, pal.

How do you f*ck up the ultimate redemption story? How do you f*ck up the one guy you always wanted to push, at a time when the fans were actually receptive to it?

WWE made it so that Roman Reigns, who returned with such spirit and bravery from a life-threatening illness, was less over than he was. He returned as part of the reformed Shield. This was a shrewd, heartfelt gesture further informed by WWE's atypical, magnanimous treatment of Dean Ambrose. It felt real, organic, vital - and then he feuded with Drew McIntyre as the the same old version of himself, seemingly unaffected by everything, before selling for Shane McMahon to a damaging extent in another tiresome, scarcely believable authority figure storyline.

Other than 'We f*cked up, so we're kicking the cat,' why would Shane have any sort of issue with Roman?

Further mired in another crappy WWE trademark - the mystery hit-and-run - Roman is now feuding with Baron Corbin, who reckons he's a weak breed of dog. Reigns has a universal human interest story to drive storylines, and WWE is doing dog stuff.

It's atrocious. Malpractice. It's...it's...

...such good sh*t!

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!