10 WWE Disasters That Saved Themselves

1. Baron Corbin

Dean Ambrose Inoculations
WWE

WWE Raw was largely built around 'Constable' Baron Corbin as a main event authority figure in late 2018. Objectively, this was a disaster. Corbin scored two record-low ratings figures during this period, with the backlash so severe that he was scapegoated as the source of all WWE's problems live on the air.

Eyes rolled when Corbin returned to prominence for a length feud with Universal Champion Seth Rollins in 2019. By Extreme Rules, Baron looked cooked. He was done. The project had failed.

Now, in September, there's an argument to be made that he's the most improved wrestler in the world.

Baron's game has gone through the roof over the past few months. This was most apparent in the recent King of the Ring tournament, with the 'Throne Wolf' (h/t Michael Hamflett) flipping a switch to go from dull, unengaging resthold merchant to bruising, explosive, hard-hitting bully. Matches with The Miz, Cedric Alexander, and Chad Gable drew acclaim from those who'd labelled him boring in the past, and he has found a happy home on the midcard, where he can pull real heat without fear of resistance.

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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.