12 Ups & 13 Downs For WWE In 2019 (So Far)

9. Constant Bait & Switches

Brock Lesnar
WWE.com

Ever get the feeling you're being trolled? If you're a WWE fan, the answer is "yes, all the godd*mn time."

Vince McMahon's increased use of bait-and-switch tactics has left his promotion feeling more like the Russovian shambles that was latter-day WCW than ever before. One of the most galling examples came on the Raw after WrestleMania, when a promised Universal vs. WWE Champion bout between Kofi Kingston vs. Seth Rollins was interrupted by The Bar for no apparent reason, sparking major "AEW!" chants and beach ball antics inside Brooklyn's Barclays Center. WWE have since repeated this by promising (and failing to deliver) on Brock Lesnar's Money In The Bank cash-in and Baron Corbin naming his Stomping Grounds referee, and there's no reason to believe it won't continue.

Without evidence that this has produced an upturn in viewership, we can safely say the bant-and-switches are failing, yet Vince persists, toying with his audience as if he were a cat clawing at a dying mouse. It takes you, your fandom, your patience, and your investment for granted, and should be buried every single time it happens.

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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.