10 Ways WWE Was Made Worse By Being Lazy

1. Authority Figures

Ali Andrade
WWE.com

This sh*t worked once because it made sense once.

Mr. McMahon didn't want Steve Austin as the WWF Champion because, as a corporate control freak disgusted at the new foul-mouthed culture sweeping across his old, family-friendly mom n' pop operation, he despised the thought of a redneck rebel causing a ruckus every Monday night. The performances were even more perfect than the dynamic. It was hilarious. It f*cking flat-out ruled.

Why would the Authority possibly take issue with Roman Reigns? Why did Constable Corbin even get the gig? Because he was nasty and incompetent? They're so bizarre, these most recent authority figure storylines. Concentrating solely on the overarching narrative, post-SummerSlam 2013, and what you are essentially watching is a programme about an awful and deeply incompetent family making several terrible decisions and driving itself out of business.

Seriously: this regime promotes stars the ticket-paying fans don't wan't to see, they hire subordinates that lower morale and ratings, and they do this over and over again. WWE RAW is an unfunny three camera sitcom about dysfunctional management. RAW has improved considerably since the matches were made behind the scenes without an onscreen authority figure.

Only took them 21 years!

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!