How WWE Failed EVERY Wrestler Released In 2021
The nastier, less empathetic elements of WWE's shrinking fanbase are quick to blame the wrestlers in situations like this, pointing out perceived shortcomings in their work while screaming empty soundbites like "they can't push everyone at once!", willfully ignoring that despite hoarding over 300 wrestlers at one point last year, WWE is only capable of pushing one or two effectively at a time.
Even Roman Reigns, who feels like the biggest star on the roster, isn't driving television numbers in the right direction anymore. Had WWE pulled the trigger on this captivating heel run five years earlier, maybe he would be. Instead, Vince spent half a decade toxifying his relationship with his audience by persisting with one of the most obnoxious babyface pushes in WWE history.
Every wrestler has weaknesses, from Daniel Bryan and Andrade to Billie Kay and Steve Cutler, but hiding those weaknesses while emphasising their strengths is the entire point of effective pro wrestling booking. WWE burned The IIconics second-to-none midcard chemistry by splitting them up, took away Andrade's voice when he and Vega split, made Black look straight down the lens and deliver expositionary tripe, and booked Buddy Murphy as 19-year-old Aalyah Mysterio's creepy boyfriend.
Don't listen to anybody who tells you that the talent is the problem. These cases are too varied and wide-reaching for that to be the case, particularly as we are now sitting on decades of evidence to the contrary.
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