The Disturbing Truth Behind WWE's Recent Controversial Decision

Limited.

by Michael Sidgwick
Keith Lee Randy Orton
WWE.com

Your writer recently elected to take some annual leave dates to recharge from a brutally stressful lockdown, and spend some time with his family the way it was intended - i.e. not telling the son for four months straight that he can't stream anything because the internet is needed for work, so why don't you go outsi-oh for f*ck's sake f*ck everything.

The first day off fell on August 26: the day after Keith Lee's WWE RAW debut. The wrestling world was paused, more or less. There wasn't much time to keep up with it fully.

When your writer returned to work, on September 7, WWE had already conspired to normalise the man who went over the man established as WWE's top heel in just six shocking minutes. Christian, Edge, Big Show, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels: all were punted and written out of storylines to push Orton as the most sadistic heel in the company, and its biggest full-time star, in the form of his on-paper illustrious career.

Went away. Heard whispers that WWE went all in on a top new babyface.

Returned after a fortnight.

Said babyface is taking an RKO, the implication 50/50 if not quite the result, in a rematch WWE couldn't be bothered to promote.

And scene.

CONT'D...(1 of 6)

Advertisement
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 surefire Undisputed WWE Universal 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!