10 Worst WWE Booking Decisions Of 2017 (So Far)

3. Alexa Bliss Crushes Bayley

Alexa Bliss Bayley
WWE.com

Alexa Bliss and Bayley should be thanking the heavens for Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton, because if it wasn’t for those two, their Raw Women’s Title feud would rank as the year’s worst. By the time this one-sided rivalry expired, Bliss had battered her babyface opponent into the ground on more than one occasion, and WWE now face a huge task on their hands if they’re to rebuild her.

Alexa and Bayley’s darkest hour came at Extreme Rules. They met in a Vince Russo-esque Kendo Stick On A Pole Match for Bliss’ title, with the narrative focusing on whether or not naive, timid Bayley could step up and compete in such an environment. The answer was a resounding "no", as the challenger was flattened in just over five minutes.

Bayley was humiliated that night. She tried to beat her opponent at her own game, but fell definitively short. Alexa’s pre-match assertions that Bayley couldn’t compete with her were proven correct. It was one of the year’s most deflating match results thus far, and from the company's standpoint, the only way in which it could be deemed a success is if WWE’s goal was to leave the former NXT Women’s Champion broken and humiliated.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.