How WWE Destroy Their Own Creations

A recent article on this website profiled a number of original artistic concepts for characters ahead of their WWE debuts.

There were some fascinating creations, and a sneak peek at the process provided a window into the sheer organisation of the organisation. Virtually every wrestler to ever pass through WWE has - regardless of their experiences overall - spoke to the size and scale of the company in comparison to everywhere else they've wrestled.

Though a laughable lack of employee rights for the wrestlers themselves suggest otherwise, WWE is a place of work compared to the places to work elsewhere. 1980s territory wrestlers were often dumfounded by merchandising presentations made to them upon signing, 1990s WCW escapees were motivated by "opportunity" in comparison to the hefty guarantees they'd left behind, whilst new arrivals of today can't believe they've sealed their 'dream' job having watched the show as long as they can remember.

And yet, in each of these eras, the company just hasn't been able to help itself. Why design and conceptualise toys if you can't sell them? Why prove an Atlanta braintrust right for issuing release papers? Why turn dreams to nightmares when the starting point is one of such positivity?

"Anything can happen in WWE" was always the catchphrase. Why is that true with depressing regularity rather than satisfying familiarity?

CONT'D...