10 Major Lessons WWE Must Learn From 2017
9. Refine The NXT Call-Up Process
The NXT call-up process is problematic in itself, particularly for those at the top of the card; those who watch the show have already witnessed their ascension, and those who don't aren't given a reason to invest in the characters. WWE relies on the former group to pop big for their debuts, rarely if ever heralded via vignette, and expect the latter to fall in line.
WWE compounds the problem through either ignorance, stupidity, or a weird, self-defeating malice. The company almost systemically botches the process - an infuriating development to which 2017 was not immune.
Shinsuke Nakamura, already incompatible with Vince's verbose vision for sports entertainment, debuted with a mouthguard in an underwhelming and unfunny programme opposite Dolph Ziggler, whose stand-up schtick was as insufferable as their match was a simplistic betrayal of "Shin's" sh*t-kicking aura.
Bobby Roode, a superb heel, debuted as a babyface. Instantly, his histrionic, glorious appeals degenerated from arrogant to goofy.
Samoa Joe fared better - though the timing was terminally stupid.
Tye Dillinger fared significantly worse. An enormously sympathetic babyface who excels through losing was never a great fit for the main roster, on which heels are lionised and wins and losses do not matter.
They haven't messed Asuka up. Yet.
That the anxiety trumps the excitement is indicative of the dire state of things. Something needs to be done; if WWE could magnify the TakeOver reactions and take these acts to the next level - by not blowing it, and what an easy remit that is - we might yet have a must-see product to anricipate every week.