5 Things WWE Cinematic Matches Should NOT Do (And 5 Things They SHOULD Do)
8. DON’T: Segue Them Into Bigger Feuds
In a perfect world, it may have been feasible for WWE to seamlessly blend the tropes of cinematic matches into arena-based, (albeit empty arena), storytelling. The awful truth, however, is that the creative powers-that-be do not seem to have the foresight and continuity to pull this off.
The prime example lies, unfortunately once again, in the Swamp match. The Bray vs. Braun 'trilogy' began with a neat hierarchy of intensity, opening with the tactically nonchalant match with Funhouse Bray, only to escalate into a supposedly definite resolve with The Fiend at next Summerslam.
Given the history of the two competitors, a brief resurgence of 'Eater of Worlds' Bray Wyatt was a cool interlude... on paper. If nothing else, this character’s in-ring presence had no shortage of charisma, which made the eventual cinematic intersperse all the more unnecessary. Literally drowning the opponent weaved a fictitious mess which in turn required fixing with some semblance of dignity.
Keep in mind that this appears to have been rescued, SOLELY by the Firefly Funhouse format and Bray Wyatt’s mad magician-like talent for narrative. Time will tell how much collateral the risk caused, long term.