10 Times WWE Immediately Broke Its Own Rules
6. Automatic Rematch Clause Ban
As part of the drive to convince fans that they shouldn't continue to stop watching in their droves, WWE, in addition to blaming everything on Baron Corbin - and then promoting him in the main event of the very next show, in a straight singles, after a popular stipulation match didn't draw - dispensed with the automatic rematch clause.
After AOP petitioned for a rematch, Shane McMahon brushed them off. "The whole automatic rematch thing is antiquated," Shane said - Shane, Attitude Era holdover who hadn't at all worn out his nostalgic welcome - and no rematch took place.
Within hours, WWE on Twitter promoted SmackDown Women's Champion Asuka Vs. Becky Lynch. Lynch had just dropped the title to Asuka. She didn't earn a rematch. She received the opportunity...automatically. Much like a smoker lighting up in a pub on impulse and without thought after the ban was introduced, WWE just up and did it, addicted not to nicotine but "institutional laziness" and "being dumb". WWE soon devised a loophole, in that the loser of any given title was to instead wrestle a #1 contender's match, putting off the inevitable by a week. Now, in 2020, the rule is either adhered to or it isn't, as each case is carefully considered on its individual merit.
That, or sh*t just happens.