10 Worst WWE Booking Decisions Of 2017 (So Far)
1. James Ellsworth Steals The Womens' Moment
Money In The Bank 2017 was supposed to be all about SmackDown’s women making history with their first ever ladder match. This message was at the heart of the show’s build, and while their bout opened the event, WWE invested a great deal of time and effort into putting it over as a huge, monumental occasion, only to tear it all down at the match’s conclusion.
A man, not a woman, was the deciding factor. James Ellsworth bundled Becky Lynch from the ladder, then scaled it himself. He retrieved the briefcase and tossed it down to Carmella, who, after some deliberation from the officials, was declared the victor.
It was one of the most harebrained things WWE have done all year. In snatching this “historic moment” away from the women, they only put heat on themselves, not Carmella and Ellsworth. SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan reversed the decision two nights later, but the rematch can’t possibly undo the damage done.
This booking decision sent all the wrong messages on what should’ve been a landmark night for women’s wrestling, and for a company whose entire storytelling mechanism is based around creating memorable moments, WWE did a great job of running away from one at MITB.