10 Failed Concepts WWE Needs To Revise And Revisit

5. The Losing Streak

Lion S Den
All Japan Pro Wrestling

The losing streak trope, in WWE's hands, is a transposed onscreen punishment - a stick with which to beat a performer over what is usually a minor indiscretion.

Montel Vontavius Porter's gimmick was that of a winner; a coveted free agent furnished with so much potential that Teddy Long broke the bank just to secure his signature. After a promising start, propelled by genuine improvement between the ropes, MVP triggered the office by accusing a Wellness Policy tester of getting the gig as an excuse to peer at the penes of athletes. In order to send a message to the boys, MVP was stigmatised as a loser forevermore.

In the hands of the legendary Shohei 'Giant' Baba, it was used to legitimise the great Kenta Kobashi as a fiery upstart in the late 1980s. Kobashi earned his way into the hearts of the AJPW fandom as their proxy. Their increasingly vocal support fuelled Kobashi as he came closer and closer to his first singles win. They were part of the story, and thus were unable to put the book down.

Used correctly - as opposed to the unfunny running gag that is Curt Hawkins - the losing streak is an ironic win/win, a guaranteed sympathy-generator, the first act in the story of a legend - and a means of getting heels over in the meantime.

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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!