How WWE Destroy Their Own Creations
In defence of 'The Game', he gave everything to ensure Ronda Rousey's debut was a Sports Entertainment masterpiece, but she's a performer that'll not only increase his bank balance as an executive but also not threaten his position as a special occasion performer. The perfect person to put over, in Hunter's eyes.
Is Batista that guy? No. Does Batista have the fitness Ronda clearly did that night? On 2014 evidence, no. But will Triple H get to boost his status at the gatekeeper of the WWE Universe (not to mention years of bragging rights by) beating a Guardian Of The Galaxy? DanielBryanChant.gif.
The segment between the pair on SmackDown 1000 successfully created buzz for the match, and this piece isn't placed as a pessimistic takedown of an angle and match with all the potential in the world. But WWE is no longer a company that makes good on potential.
Daniel Bryan's 2018 comeback had all the potential in the world and he's been pinned more times that tweets about philanthropy being the future of marketing. Braun Strowman had the potential to be The (actual) Guy, but was sacrificed - possibly beyond recovery - for 'The Guy'. Asuka had the potential to be the best NXT call-up since the the commencement of Triple H's pet project, but she was beaten and buried in under 12 months because Vince McMahon likes blonde Americans and has forgotten everything Jim Ross ever told him about interests beyond them.
Despite what you see most Mondays and a few too many Tuesdays, WWE is still at it's heart a creative entity. It's still a place for continued evolution, despite SmackDown 1000's best segment featuring a weathered fab four lining up like The Beatles on a rooftop. If matches and storylines weren't so senselessly buried under politics and pettiness, as many people might buy into the last battle between 'The Animal' and 'The Game' as did the first.
Don't Let Me Down.