If WWE Was Being Honest About Unhappy Talent

Kofi Kingston
WWE.com

WWE RAW’s tagline used to read Uncut, Uncooked, Uncensored. The more accurate tagline for 2019 is Morbidly Hilarious, and while it is a schadenfreude joy to remain a WWE fan, that’s likely not what Fox paid billions for.

There is a counterargument to all of this, in that long-tenured employ—independent contractors—reached the highest of heights just under a fortnight ago.

But in stark contrast to Seth Rollins, a very rare, consistently protected performer, the New Jersey/shadow of New York triumphs of Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins emerged by accident, essentially. We weren’t meant to receive Becky as a babyface in the summer of 2018. Kofi Kingston was meant to take part in a 10 minute Fatal 4-Way match at WrestleMania 35.

If current trends continue, there is every chance that, in Tampa next year, Becky Lynch will not main event, and Kofi will Experience a pair of Vikings, in addition to the two nearest tag teams on SmackDown. But the Viking Experience are on RAW, you might say. As if that matters. None of this matters. That’s the point.

That’s not cynical; that is projection through precedent. Shinsuke Nakamura went backwards, following WrestleMania 34. Nia Jax went backwards. Jinder Mahal went backwards. Bray Wyatt entered ‘Mania 33 as WWE Champion. Next year: André. There’s always more wood for the dumpster fire.

CONT'D...(4 of 5)

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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!