10 WWE Storylines We'd Like To See In 2019

7. A Babyface Avenges The Despicable

Becky Lynch Stephanie McMahon
WWE.com

Andrade 'Cien' Almas found superstardom with Zelina Vega in NXT, and because everything is a*se-backwards on the main roster, he was effectively Vega's valet in mixed tags over the summer months. He is now a wrestler again, periodically - but one who invariably loses.

Breaking up the act appears, on the surface, to be a terminal move - but his chances of getting over are, too, so it hardly matters. Removed from NXT's protective, flattering environment, without purpose, Almas is simply a body. Debuted with no long-term plan, we've been given no reason to care about him at all. He's evidently an incredible talent, but that's the new normal.

WWE is incapable of giving us a reason to care about its babyfaces. WWE, amazingly, has given us reason to care about Randy Orton in recent months. Reimagined into the loathsome figure he is perceived as in reality, this vintage of Orton is a finger-breaking, ear-f*cking sociopath we can believe in - and a man whose unseemly diva-negging past could credibly see him turn Vega against her charge in a romance angle, thereby giving Almas motive to turn face, and reimagine his DOA character, while at the same time furnishing Orton with a new distraction element to his ever-over RKO.

Where Almas goes beyond this, in WWE's dialogue-heavy narrative, is another matter - but his offence is very much catered for the modern crowd, and, sad as this may read, we are very much in the why the f*ck not territory.

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!