10 Ways WWE Can Prove The Critics WRONG At WrestleMania 37

5. Get Mustafa Ali Vs. Kofi Kingston Get Back On Track

Drew McIntyre
WWE

None of this matters as a product that makes any coherent sense week-to-week, never mind as some grand narrative tapestry.

Inexplicably, WWE appeared to arrive at an ideal upper midcard WrestleMania programme a month or so back. If it was senseless to turn Mustafa Ali heel - he's an exciting talent and a very upstanding dude - WWE nonetheless located the perfect opponent for him in Kofi Kingston.

The best heels feel in their minds that they are right. Circumstances incited Ali's descent - in addition, of course, to fitful and apathetic booking - but he can project that onto Kofi who in 2019 replaced Ali as Daniel Bryan's WrestleMania opponent. WWE blew the chance to set the story in motion at the event - Elimination Chamber - that plunged Ali into this dark alternate timeline. But all is not yet lost; Ali can sell a loss to Riddle as another continuation of the decline for which Kingston is ultimately responsible.

It's a long-term story with heft that, if it meets its potential, can result in a cracking, energetic WrestleMania opener perfect to unglue the biggest crowd of the pandemic era.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!