10 Major Challenges Facing WWE In 2018
5. Morale
In 1996, the WWE dressing room turned against Marc Mero before he'd even debuted for the organisation. As a fiercely capitalist industry rarely even capable of flirting with unionisation, the talent turned only on each other whenever those around would benefit from decisions made by faceless management. Mero's crime happened to be earning a very profitable deal when he signed on the dotted line from WCW that spring.
The company was coming out of a financially rancid 1995, with things only set to get worse when WCW's summer surge cemented WWE's silver medal status. But the competitive fire that engulfed 'The Wildman' ensured the safety of the organisation through some particularly putrid periods.
Vince McMahon and Jim Ross both had major hands in the ascent of Stone Cold Steve Austin, but it took 'The Rattlesnake's ruthless drive and desire to navigate to the top of the company and later the wrestling world. Triple H had sat at Shawn Michaels' learning tree AND eaten "platefuls of sh*t" for the privilege by the time he got his true break in 1997.
Things are extremely different in 2018. Austin Aries just didn't fancy WWE and sought fortunes elsewhere. Neville actively told them where to go after months of mistreatment. Bayley had perhaps her worst professional year in 2017, despite entering WrestleMania as a Women's Champion and assembling at least a few choice matches en route. She tweeted "2018: Find my way again" on January 2nd. Will she be the next to find that 'way' somewhere else?