10 Ways To Refresh WWE's Stale Television Product
4. Stronger Characterisation
Weak characterisation is a massive problem across the board. While the likes of Brock Lesnar, Neville, and AJ Styles have personalities that stand on their own, the bulk of the roster have few discernible character traits, with many falling into the same handful of archetypes.
For the most part, babyfaces are either portrayed as starry-eyed goofballs who can’t compete with elite opposition, or smug, self-satisfied slimeballs who are often as loathsome as the bad guys. The heels, meanwhile, are typically cowardly egomaniacs or all-conquering badasses, with very little middle-ground.
We’re in an era where the vast majority of WWE characters are defined by t-shirt slogans and catchphrases. There’s never on exposition on what makes these people tick, what drives them to succeed, or why they’re even wrestling in the first place. They’re not three-dimensional human beings, but soulless, script-reading robots, yet WWE still wonder why they’re not getting over to the level they’d like.
When Kevin Owens was driven to dastardly deeds to provide for his family, he was one of the most compelling men in wrestling. His example proves that giving these characters depth works, and if more performers were given the same opportunities, perhaps the roster wouldn’t be so devoid of star-power.