10 Things WWE Actually Got Right This Week
With more eyes than usual on WWE this week they (sometimes) delivered.
Seth Rollins retained his Universal Title against The Fiend Bray Wyatt last night, earning himself what amounted to a DQ despite a no DQ stipulation. Boos rained down from the stands even though Seth took a post match beat down. Is the hottest thing in wrestling already back to being a busted flush?
WWE also failed to pull the trigger on Sasha Banks, choosing instead to extend Becky Lynch’s lukewarm title run. Cameras caught the obvious disapproval of some fans in the arena. With the week ending on a sour note, it’s easy to remember things like Sheamus squashing Daniel Bryan or an unwelcome Roman Reigns Royal Rumble victory and feel like WWE always let us down.
But before the red mist descends (or is it a crappy red camera filter?) it’s worth remembering the things WWE got right in this most crucial of weeks.
With the launch of AEW Dynamite and a big money move to Fox to take care of, the past week was certainly the most important for WWE in recent memory. The pressure was on to deliver both spectacle and ratings. There will be time enough to dwell on the missteps and mistakes. For now, let’s allow ourselves a bit of positivity.
10. Putting The Belt On Brock
Those of us who bought in to Kofimania wholesale had long been hoping for things to turn the corner on his underwhelming title run. Each new opponent seemed set to be the one to recapture the spark from WrestleMania 35. Instead, each new feud disappointed.
Meanwhile memories of Brock’s stranglehold on the Universal Championship hardly inspire optimism. It’s hard to get excited about a similar run with WWE’s big, black strap.
That said, ‘The Beast Incarnate’ is one of the company’s few true difference makers and a sensible focal point for the new flagship. Plus, WWE have already smartly presented a title programme for Brock that people want to see.
The manner of Kofi’s defeat was particularly heartbreaking, as he was allowed not a single sliver of offence and put down by a single F5 in nine seconds. It didn’t feel like a fitting end for this fearless, fighting champion’s reign. But for all the brevity of the journey, we reached the correct destination.
Brock Lesnar might not be the champion everyone wants but he’s the champion WWE needs. Face it, Cain Velasquez vs. Kofi Kingston just isn’t as exciting a match graphic.