10 Ways WWE Can Prove The Critics WRONG At WrestleMania 37

4. Promote A HOSS FIGHT Of A Main Event

Drew McIntyre
WWE.com

The 'WWE style' is often weaponised against the company.

If they're not staring at their bloody hands or crying or talking relentlessly under the mistaken belief that explaining the story is great storytelling, they're smashing each other through barricades in an attempt to tick off every box on the Michael Hayes checklist. Even when the work is blisteringly good, many WWE main events fall afoul of these clichéd trappings and draw derision in critical circles. Despite Michael Cole's forced protest, it would be considerably more surprising if one of these motherf*ckers didn't fall through a table.

You know what's been great? The Drew McIntyre Vs. Sheamus series.

They have nailed the specific strain of animosity that is felt in close friendships gone awry and have articulated it wonderfully in their brutal matches. They don't ask why they're not each other's mate anymore. They don't explain it by talking. They just beat the sh*t out of one another in matches that do not mess about with melodrama.

If WWE presents a hoss battle between Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 37 in the same vein, it might go some way towards highlighting that WWE does deviate from the checklist on occasion.

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!