This particular entry has been a problem for years in WWE, admittedly not being limited to the coming 2016. Generally, the creative squad stumble on a character they're red hot on, booking them strongly for a short period as a result. Then, out of nowhere, they suddenly become jaded on the star, and start de-emphasising their importance on television. It's happened too much, and needs to cease. Examining names like Rusev and 'King' Barrett throughout 2015 has been fascinating. Just like many others before them, WWE have failed to establish a long-term goal for their progression. Winning the 'King Of The Ring' tournament should have been a launching point for Barrett, but the promotion turned the Englishman into a walking cartoon. He was more at home on the lower mid-card. Rusev hasn't fared much better. In the early portion of the year, he was booked strongly against John Cena. After that feud concluded, he became a poorly-written character engaged in a messy love affair angle involving Lana, Dolph Ziggler and Summer Rae. There's no evidence to suggest WWE won't continue booking performers this way in 2016, which is worrying.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.
