10 Mistakes WWE Must Not Repeat In 2017

3. Re-Writing The Same Novella

Kevin Owens Critics Wwe Universal Champion
WWE.com

WWE doesn't really do long-term booking, as much as it stretches out the same premises and repeats the same emotional beats.

It feels like James Ellsworth has been on WWE television longer than Michael Cole, and he has experienced little in the way of character development. The New Day haven't advanced as characters. If anything, they have regressed. Roman Reigns had to pop a p*ss test before his transition to John Cena 2.0 was scaled back - but, just months later, he reassumed his role as valiant, smiling destroyer. The Golden Truth have fought the Shining Stars for so long that someone must have taken an ironic "fight forever!" chant seriously.

And, as good as the Charlotte Vs. Sasha Banks rivalry has been - in the ring - there's not much more to it than a game of title belt hot potato.

The Al Snow Vs. Big Boss Man series of 1999 was widely criticised at the time, with some justification: the Kennel From Hell capper was one of the worst wrestling matches ever held. But the feud itself, a Vince Russo special, a tale of canicide and deception, at the very least gave viewers a hook on which to tune in the following week.

Is it any wonder current ratings are abysmal?

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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!