10 Ways WWE Are Holding Their Own Wrestlers Back

5. Destroying Potentially Valuable Babyfaces

Sami Zayn
WWE.com

WWE's face/heel alignment scale is all over the place these days, and it could be argued that the company have done away with traditional notions of good and evil entirely, particularly in Raw's main event scene. Regardless, they have a massive problem when it comes to booking traditional "white meat" babyfaces, even when it seems like they've been presented with a sure thing.

Bayley was once a white-hot commodity, but her popularity has been systematically destroyed on the main roster, with her recent Alexa Bliss feud particularly damaging. The same goes for Sami Zayn, who should probably be headlining SmackDown pay-per-views by now, but finds himself jobbing to Aiden English instead.

The problem, as always, is their portrayal. These characters are presented as passive beta personalities who come across overawed rather than determined, making it impossible to take them seriously. Their booking and behaviour doesn't make fans root for them, but has them questioning whether or not they even belong in the ring with their more assertive peers. The likes of Bayley and Sami are booked as if they're out of their depth, and it's preventing them from reaching the heights they should be hitting.

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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.