8 Dropped Ideas That Could've Helped WWE Ratings

#FTFTRKO.

by Andrew Pollard
Randy Orton The Revival
WWE

While WWE has delivered some legendary characters, some must-see shows, and some truly iconic moments over the decades, there are those other times when Vince McMahon's sports entertainment juggernaut has left fans face-palming at how the company has fumbled so many white-hot superstars and can't-fail angles.

Given that Raw and SmackDown have been hitting record low after record low over the past couple of years, you'd have thought that McMahon and WWE brass may be looking to learn from the mistakes of their past. But no, it's somehow very much a case of 'same as it ever was' when it comes to WWE dropping the ball on angles and ideas that could have a chance of giving ratings, PPV buys, and WWE Network subscriptions a genuine shot in the arm.

Whether it's today in 2019, ten years ago in 2009, or even back during the 1990s and beyond, Vinny Mac and his inner circle can't help themselves when it comes to failing to capitalise on potential breakout stars, key character turns, or obvious storytelling that should book itself.

Here are eight prime examples, then, of when WWE has had chicken salad in their hands, yet somehow turned it to chicken sh*t.

8. The SmackDown Top 10 List

It was in January 2018 that Daniel Bryan got wrestling fans talking at the prospect of a SmackDown Top 10 List. Said list was introduced as a way of rewarding worthy superstars with the opportunity to showcase their skills in high profile spots on the blue brand.

With the SmackDown Top 10 List to be decided by the SmackDown wrestlers, Bryan explained that the key attributes that would be considered when putting together this list were talent, leadership, and athletic skill. It was also alluded to that wins and losses would play a part in just how wrestlers shaped up as it pertains to future opportunities.

Unfortunately, it appeared that WWE had little to no interest in really actually doing anything of note with the SmackDown Top 10 List, and the concept completely vanished within a matter of weeks.

In-ring ability being rewarded? Wins and losses mattering? Leadership being relevant? Pfft, don’t be silly. And thus, the SmackDown Top 10 List was destined to end up like the rest of the once promising ideas featured across this list – casually tossed in the trash while Vince McMahon maniacally laughs at such an idea ever working.

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Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main day job, his role as the lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Adrienne Barbeau, Rob Zombie, Katharine Isabelle, Leigh Whannell, Bruce Campbell, and Tony Todd, to Kevin Smith, Ron Perlman, Elijah Wood, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Pegg, Charlie Cox, the Russo Brothers, and Brian Blessed, to Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Tara Strong, Will Friedle, Burt Ward, Andrea Romano, Frank Miller, and Rob Liefeld, to Bret Hart, Sting, Mick Foley, Ricky Starks, Jamie Hayer, Britt Baker, Eric Bischoff, and William Regal, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, Brian Flynn, Denis Smith, Gary Bennett, Karl Connolly, and Bryan Robson - and that's just the tip of an ever-expanding iceberg. Where his beloved Wrexham AFC is concerned, Andrew is co-host of the Fearless in Devotion podcast, which won the Club Podcast of the Year gong at the 2024 FSA Awards.