7 Ways WWE Screwed Up At SummerSlam 2018

3. So Much For The WWE Title

Roman Reigns Universal Champion
WWE.com

It's great that AJ Styles, the most consistent in-ring performer in the company, has usurped JBL as the longest reigning SmackDown-exclusive champion of all time, but aside from a handful of good-to-great matches, what does his run really mean?

The gold feels more important around Styles' waist than it did Jinder Mahal's, but it isn't as prestigious as it should be. This isn't down to AJ, though. The company must shoulder the blame for continuing to marginalise their most storied championship with poor pay-per-view positioning, and it continued last night.

Styles vs. Samoa Joe went fifth on a ten-match card. Among other bouts, Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin and the US Title bout were given stronger positions. That's nuts, but far from an anomaly.

The WWE Championship hasn't headlined a single dual-brand pay-per-view since the 2016 draft. It is, for all intents and purposes, a midcard belt that just happens to be held by one of the most popular guys in the company. This is despite SmackDown continually trouncing Raw for quality since WrestleMania 34, and some excellent work from both Styles and Joe in the SummerSlam build.

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.