10 Reasons Why WWE Needs To Fundamentally Change Everything About The TV Product

6. Free Prize Giveaway!

Paige Bored
WWE.com

Jinder Mahal defeated AJ Styles in a throwaway match on television this week. It was an obvious (and thus difficult to buy into) method of strengthening Mahal ahead of Backlash on Sunday - but that is immaterial.

Say Jinder Mahal does win the WWE Championship from Randy Orton on Sunday, at Money In The Bank, or wherever. Who is there for him to defend that title against? Who are SmackDown's top full-time babyfaces? The first viable contender is AJ Styles, and WWE gave that away nonchalantly already. The Network model means WWE doesn't need to make every last pay-per-view a unique must-see - but the formula is becoming much too tedious for many, if the ratings mini-crisis is any indication.

RAW didn't fare much better in this regard. It's almost law that WWE presents singles variations ahead of any feature multi-man contest. This rigid adherence to formula is damaging in itself, in that it's painfully predictable, but WWE burned through two potential big pay-per-view matches on Monday in Finn Bálor Vs. Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins Vs. Bray Wyatt. What's left now?

The business model is understandable - even necessary. In an age in which there are so few genuine draws, squash matches are nowhere near acceptable. But, as a consequence, few prospective matches actually feel special because WWE has to exhaust every conceivable combination to retain viewership.

WWE needs to destroy the paradox.

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Contributor
Contributor

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!