8 Brave Booking Steps WWE Have Already Taken In 2018

4. Pushing Elias During 'Mania Season

john cena elias samson
WWE.com

This time of the year is one WWE have regularly used as a vehicle to promote nostalgia. Big returns are the order of the day. From Goldberg's resurgence and Universal Title win this time last year to The Undertaker's annual wheeling out for a major match, WrestleMania is so often a period when part-time stars come to the fore.

2018 seems different somehow.

Elias is a perfect example of that. He's been written to smash his guitar over John Cena's back at Raw 25, featured in segments alongside Braun Strowman, Roman Reigns and more, and even pinned Cena during a Triple Threat match to earn his slot as the last to enter Elimination Chamber.

It's refreshing to see someone so new to the main roster play a starring role like this during WrestleMania season. By now, newer talents like Elias are usually pushed out of the picture, never mind pushed full stop. Long may it continue.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.