10 Problems Nobody Wants To Admit About WrestleMania 33

6. The Cram

Brock Lesnar Paul Heyman
WWE.com

This is something of a continuation from the previous point, but the logic behind a number of WrestleMania 33’s matches appears to be “let’s get as many people onto the card as possible.” They have sacrificed storytelling for the sake of cramming 'Mania to bursting point, and the result is a series of lame bookings with little long-term meaning, particularly in the title scenes.

The SmackDown’s Women’s Championship match is the most egregious example. All WWE have done is taken every available female and thrown them in a six-pack challenge, which is as lazy as it gets. Aside from Naomi’s return, there is nothing in the way of individual story threads in the match, and therefore little reason to care.

The same goes for the Raw Women’s Championship contest, and the red brand’s Tag Title bout. These clashes would definitely have benefited from a more measured build between two individual parties, rather than the watered down multi-competitor affairs we’re getting on Sunday. Had WWE put some time into building individual rivalries with genuine stakes and motivations, these matches would have felt important: instead, we’re left with empty calories.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.