10 Times Controversy Inspired WWE Changes

The word 'controversy' has been a mainstay when discussing WWE programming for what feels like an eternity.

The reason?

Well, look no further than the man up top.

Vince McMahon - for all of his groundbreaking concepts - has never been one to shy away from lighting the fuse of public debate and this was clearly evidenced in one of his most recent jaw-dropping deals, when he signed a mammoth 10-year multi-platform partnership with the Saudi General Sports Authority.

It was a move that p*ssed off large portions of his loyal fanbase and left many fans feeling as though WWE were promoting a regime which deems assassinating journalists justifiable - and yes, that deal will be mentioned a few more times within this piece.

Yet, a number of questionable events (Saudi super shows included) have helped pave the way for some of WWE's most important changes.

Some of these alterations were obviously more substantial than others, but what really matters is that some of the company's darkest hours were responsible for them all.

McMahon isn't an idiot and knows full well that when he is backed into a corner - by the press or his own fans - actions speak loudest, and he has routinely demonstrated a will to provide seismic change when the time calls for it.

So, here's just a few instances when controversial moments led to WWE changes.

I mean, if you were one of the few who hadn't seen just how goddamn amazing NXT's weekly television programme was, the chances are you got the surprise of a lifetime when the black and gold brand decided to invade SmackDown in November 2019.

But this wasn't always the plan and if it hadn't been for some sketchy circumstances, we might not have ever got one of the greatest impromptu episodes of wrestling television in modern history.

Despite WWE's claims that a flight containing nearly 200 WWE stars and employees was being held on the tarmac due to 'aircraft problems including mechanical issues', the truth was a little more concerning.

Apparently, Saudi Arabia had failed to pay Vince McMahon millions of dollars for some of the previous Saudi super shows, so McMahon felt the need to stop the television feed for Crown Jewel being broadcast in the country - leading to a 40-minute delay of the live show in Saudi households.

Thanks to the retaliation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, talent were stranded for 24 hours - surrounded by military police - and were understandably p*ssed off that McMahon managed to take off on a private jet before the chaos had ensued.

It all worked out in the end as the talent made it home safely, but this controversial incident opened the door for NXT to make a hell of a statement and the stars of tomorrow did just that.