10 Ways The WWE Title Can Rebuild Its Tarnished Legacy

5. Let A SmackDown Star Win The Royal Rumble

Jinder Mahal
WWE

Yes, a SmackDown star won this year's Royal Rumble, but the blue brand must repeat in 2018. We already know that WWE are looking at Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar for WrestleMania 34, and while the ongoing Shield reunion should buy temporary goodwill for 'The Guy,' this will be undone by another Rumble victory. It's something nobody wants to see, and the fans would likely boo him out of the building, compounding the company's latest attempt at getting him over as the top face.

Having SmackDown take the Rumble will not only avoid that particular embarrassment, but send a clear message that the WWE Championship is still the company's top prize, particularly if somebody the fans are into scores the victory.

This belt should be placed on a pedestal, not pushed into the shadows. It's worth no more than the value of the materials it's built from at the moment. Strong presentation is vital, and positioning it in the Rumble's spotlight would be a great recovery step. It can't be as predictable as Randy Orton's win in 2017, though: that'd be counterproductive, and only diminish the belt's interest levels further.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.