The Problem With Keith Lee That No One Wants To Talk About

Everybody wants to talk about the changes made to Keith Lee's presentation since he transitioned from NXT to Raw; nobody wants to talk about the reason for them.

The new entrance music sucks, yes, but it's irrelevant to this discussion. WWE pitched the move to escape a "terrible deal" their old themesters, CFO$, struck with their publishers, forgoing around 50% of all royalty payments. When given a say on the matter, Lee reportedly okayed it.

Switching Lee's gear raises bigger questions.

When 'The Limitless One' walked out for his debut match against Randy Orton on Raw's 24 August episode, he did so wearing what looked like a wrestling-themed babygro. Rather than wearing the tight shorts he'd sported for the bulk of his career, Lee sported a looser pair and, crucially, had his torso covered up by a sleeveless rashguard. Clad in attire more fit for practise or the gym than the ThunderDome's bright lights, it was an immediate red flag.

This was Vince McMahon solving a problem that didn't exist. Though we are long removed from the days of aesthetics being a prerequisite for high-level success, wrestling remains an aesthetic-driven business. These things still matter. Lee looks significantly less imposing covered up than when he fought bare-chested, as he'd done for the entirety of his NXT run - and before that as well. It was a needless, shortsighted move from a mind stuck several decades in the past, and while WWE has since improved the attire by having Lee switch to a singlet with tighter shorts, they are still undermining his physical presence.

Keith Lee is a brick of a human being. With this change, Vince is inadvertently diminishing an important part of his aesthetic.

And as for his booking...

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