20 Times WWE Was An Absolute Mess In 2019

16. Wild Card W*nkery

WWE Wild Card Roman Reigns
WWE

Getting upset about WWE's cursed Wild Card Rule was made pointless the night the company violated it on its first night of existence, with six wrestlers showing up on a show that saw Vince McMahon promise that only four could jump between Raw and SmackDown, before changing his mind and switching to five when Lars Sullivan showed up.

Designed to pull stars over from opposing brands to spike ratings, its execution was a shambles. WWE violated their self-imposed cap on almost every single show. Hordes and hordes of blue and red wrestlers poured over every week, leaving WWE's undermined middle more undermined than ever before as they struggled for focus, their opportunities cut by the invaders' screentime demands. A true mess, and one most were glad to see the back off in the fall.

WWE's brand spot post-2019 Draft hasn't been perfect either, with performers still hopping around on occasion. Still, it's considerably cleaner than it was when the Wild Card Rule was A Thing, and WWE would do well to never bring it back.

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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.