10 Biggest WWE Creative Mistakes Of The Decade

3. The Main Event Push Of Baron Corbin

Batista Roman Reigns Jinder Mahal
WWE.com

Baron Corbin is more symptom than disease, but the continued insistence on pushing him has adversely affected WWE's popularity.

His vast presence on Monday Night RAW last year accelerated the ratings decline in a way that isn't consistent with wider TV patterns. The fans rejected him to such an objective extent that the McMahons effectively apologised for pushing him. Corbin was ratings poison, and it was his fault.

And then they pushed him again, as Seth Rollins' primary antagonist following his big WrestleMania 35 moment. Their Stomping Grounds main event drew a paltry 6,000 fans. That number was worse than it seemed in itself: WWE, desperate, handed out free tickets in area malls in addition to two-for-one offers.

And then they pushed him again, as the 2019 King Of The Ring. He is now a goofy gimmick complete with drastically awful taunting, and he is torpedoing SmackDown's FOX numbers.

And they'll push him again, no doubt. He'll win Money In The Bank next year, and as a bit, he'll open the briefcase and water will pour out. They will be symbolic of your tears, or some sh*t.

His run in that tournament was very good, but it's what he represents, as much as anything else: he is the office favourite when the office has never been more unpopular.

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!