15 Ups & 13 Downs For WWE In 2017

6. The Women's Devolution

SmackDown Women's Division Shane McMAhon
WWE.com

If 2016 was the year women's wrestling shot to stunning new heights in WWE, 2017 was the year the 'Revolution' stagnated. Unfortunately, the past 12 months have seen the division not only fail to break new ground with the same level of consistency, but take several notable steps backwards, particularly on SmackDown.

The blue brand's division fell into a malaise of drab multi-person feuds this year. This meant utilising the full breadth of SD's talent, but only stalled the participants' progress, as nobody gets over when sharing the spotlight with five or six other people. Raw, too, has suffered from similar problems in 2017, but the lack of a centrepiece feud like Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte has ultimately been more damaging on Monday nights.

Talented stars like Becky Lynch have been relegated to bit-part roles, replaced by the unseasoned Naomi and Carmella. Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley was one of the year's worst feuds. 'Crazy' Alicia Fox remains entirely problematic. Lana's brief in-ring run was a total shambles. The list goes on.

It's not all doom and gloom, but women's wrestling clearly slid in 2017, and we can only hope that the upcoming Royal Rumble rights the course.

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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.