10 Ways WWE Storytelling Has Declined Since 2000
8. Shallow Characterisation
Weak characterisation is one of the main factors contributing towards WWE’s inability to create new stars. The roster is full of one dimensional caricatures who are defined by catchphrases and nicknames rather than personality traits, and while there are a handful of exceptions, the bulk of their major players feel incredibly shallow.
What defines Seth Rollins other than a couple of t-shirt slogans? When Roman Reigns steps inside the squared circle, what motivations drive him to greater success? How can we possibly invest in somebody like Charlotte Flair at the moment, when her face turn has never really been explained, and aside from ‘winning the title,’ her goals are a total mystery?
Nobody is ever given the opportunity to grow and evolve within the confines of WWE’s heavily scripted environment. The company’s idea of ‘character development’ is a new piece of merch every six months, and the bulk of these performers are faceless. The result is a roster full of wrestlers that nobody has any real reason to invest in, which greatly dilutes the storytelling process. It’s difficult to enjoy a story when you can’t relate to the protagonists, and how can anyone be expected to find common ground with these one-note robots?