10 Biggest WWE Creative Success Stories Of 2018

6. Evolution (Reformation)

Batista Evolution
WWE

There was a lesson in this, not that WWE will heed it: less is more. Restraint is a valuable tool, even in pro wrestling's über-absurd theatre.

Just look, again - and it was a car crash so you can't not - at the state of the November 26 RAW. Braun Strowman claimed that the surgeon tasked with repairing his arm had "never seen an injury like this before". Strowman is due back this year. How bad could it possibly be? Like so much else, the sales pitch was so desperate that it put off any potential buyers.

In a minimalist masterstroke, WWE did not go overboard with the Evolution hype ahead of SmackDown 1000. They did not show their hand. Pitched and anticipated as a one-off nostalgia segment, WWE instead foreshadowed a feature WrestleMania 35 match so effectively that we came to actually want something we had rolled our eyes at the murmurs of.

Batista cut a brilliant, passionate and witty promo putting over his stablemates, reminding us how big a deal they were and are. This detail was crucial, welcome respite from the cutting insults de rigueur; when Batista used his platform to throw subtle shade at Triple H, he had built up his former boss before cutting him down. And, when he did, it felt like an unexpected transgression, and it drew a stunned reaction. This was immaculate promotion, because it planted the idea into our heads.

We wanted to see it grow.

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!