2024: The Year That Could Make Or Break WWE
WWE- or more specifically Triple H - unquestionably fell flat on their face when the opportunity to address the shocking lawsuit that had cast a black cloud over yet another record-breaking Royal Rumble presented itself.
During the post-PLE press conference, Paul Levesque did everything he could to keep the attention on the "positives" - the $5 billion Netflix deal, selling out the Rumble, the return of 'The Great One' as a board member - before openly admitting to not finding the time to even read the horrendous lawsuit.
WWE's Chief Content Officer seemingly not going out of his way to read such an important document was not the best look, I'm sure you'll agree.
And while many didn't really expect him to say too much about the allegations, the few words he did actually utter on the matter were disappointing to say the least, with it ultimately feeling like WWE were more concerned with breaking records than the seriousness of the ongoing Vince situation.
Should they continue to handle questions on the lawsuit, and the sensitive situation in general, in a similar way going forward, and not follow the example set by stars like Kevin Owens and Randy Orton when nudged on the horrible subject, the promotion will likely continue to grab the wrong sort of headlines and potentially put potential future sponsors and partners off wanting to work with TKO/WWE.
Slim Jim were already willing to walk away from advertising on WWE programming on the back of the lawsuit being made public, and only decided to "re-enter the Royal Rumble" after Vince's second resignation in disgrace.
Also, with more stories of past abuse and misconduct within the WWE system dropping seemingly by the week as the most recent Vince scandal rumbles on, it's never been more important for the company to make a real point of showing what lengths they're now going to in order to ensure the safety of all their employees.
Levesque touched upon it during that botched presser. But just saying WWE are doing "everything possible" to make their wrestlers and staff feel safe isn't good enough. Clear policies must be put in place for dealing with various forms of harassment, misconduct and abuse in the workplace, and the company must then make it a priority to deal with any and all incidents swiftly and thoroughly going forward.
The stories and allegations are consistently heartbreaking and terrible, but there could still be an actual positive to find amidst the darkness if WWE and TKO put things in place that ensure this sort of alleged treatment never happens again.
Speaking of make or break changes behind-the-scenes, one of the most important figures in WWE history also parted ways with the company earlier this year. And in the wake of Executive Producer & Chief, Global Television Distribution Kevin Dunn's departure, it's safe to say a significant impact for the better has already been felt on-screen.
After decades of the same old style of graphics and dull camera angles, WWE is now chucking out more real-sports-feeling visuals every week. Backstage walking promos and entrances into arenas, epic and fresh match and superstar graphic designs, and bold shots of the in-ring action are becoming the new, much-needed norm.
And it's these little on-screen touches that will help the company remain relevant at a time when some could be on the cusp of losing faith in the product...