10 Specific Ways WWE Stars Can Recover From Awful Booking

3. Baron Corbin

Charlotte Flair Upset
WWE

Every now and then, reports resurface that Vince McMahon is high on Baron Corbin - which is always strange to read, given that WWE constantly creates separation from the momentum he's built by booking him as a pigsh*t-thick goon. Much like the Divas of old, Corbin is susceptible to roll-up losses, casting him as a Kelly Kelly-level double airhead in the process. This, in conjunction with his infamous failed Money In The Bank cash-in, has contrived to make Corbin a laughing stock - which his humourless demeanour only serves to underline.

This isn't helpful, both in itself and because the in-the-know audience already equates Corbin with stupidity for a perceived inability to learn his trade. This isn't strictly true - Corbin isn't that bad - but "not that bad" just breeds more contempt for a man forever in line for a top position. To get there, Corbin must not, you know, be caught unawares by comedic opening act performers like No Way Jose less than a year after his fateful f*ck-up. To hone in on the fiction for a moment - how dumb must Corbin be to fall for a roll-up, time and time again, after it ruined his career?

Waves of nihilism aside, why not portray the Lone Wolf in name only? If he assembles an entourage under the incredulous pretence of going it alone, he may yet draw the elusive reaction.

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!