How WWE Has FINALLY Solved Its Babyface Problem

Riddle WWE
WWE.com

Two babyfaces on Monday Night RAW are getting over, and this reaction is pronounced against a backdrop of almost blanket silence elsewhere. The amplified reactions afforded to Riddle and John Morrison must be noted as a result.

Putting aside the not ideal optics of actually presenting Riddle as a babyface, Riddle is getting over - big - as a babyface to those untroubled by his reputation. And Riddle is a total dork by design. His character is a brainless nitwit with dire patter who annoys the f*ck out of everybody. He is therefore no different to any WWE babyface with one crucial difference: this is a deliberate move. Riddle is not somebody that Vince McMahon thinks of as cool, and is thus objectively uncool by default. The audience is asked to sympathise with this blithering f*cking idiot because he sees the best in everybody. He is a naive, well-meaning fellow who would rather help out somebody who he thinks is a friend than serve his own individual ambitions. "Randy," he'll wail, imploring the sociopathic bully to be his mate.

At his core, which is what counts, Riddle is a phenomenal professional wrestler. His explosive striking game is among the most legitimate in the entire industry, which of course is all the more effective in the methodical context of WWE. His real knowledge of what pain actually feels like informs his stunning selling ability. A character like this does not get over if he can't go. But Riddle is an otherwise rubbish pro wrestling babyface. He's prone to distraction, he isn't remotely smart, and nobody aspires to be anything like him. People rather enjoy being able to tie their shoelaces together.

But that modern, WWE audience, who just seem happy enough to be there, has no aspirations to get behind the proper pro wrestling babyface.

CONT'D...(3 of 6)

Advertisement
In this post: 
Matt Riddle
 
Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!