The WWE is facing challenges on all fronts for its global supremacy, from old foes like Impact and NJPW to All Elite Wrestling. Here are three things they are getting right, and three they might want to change.
Stomping Grounds is in the history books, and while the event had a few snafus -- including an AEW chant during the main event pitting Seth Rollins against Baron Corbin for the Universal title -- it was generally well received by the WWE universe.
Things have gotten more complicated for WWE in the past year. At one point the unquestioned dominant pro wrestling force in North America, the venerable promotion has a whole slew of challengers for its market share.
For many years, New Japan Pro Wrestling has been an unofficial ally of the WWE. In recent years, however, NJPW has been trying to increase its footprint in the North American wrestling market. Ring of Honor continues to feed its niche audience, and of course, no one can deny that All Elite Wrestling is a major player on the scene.
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With all of these new challengers, the WWE now must take a hard look at its operations and try to ascertain what needs to stay the same--and what might need to be changed.
Here are three things the WWE is doing right, and three things they might want to consider changing.
#1 Doing right: Kofi Kingston's main event push
Kofi Kingston is one of the longest tenured WWE superstars on the active roster.
The Ghanian immigrant was snatched up by WWE with only one year of experience on the independent circuit under his belt. In 2006, Kofi started wrestling for WWE under a Jamaican gimmick.
He went on an undefeated streak for a time, but then his career got bogged down in the mid-card. Despite being one of the most gifted athletes on the WWE roster--and having tons of breathtaking highlight reel moments -- Kofi didn't seem to be able to do better than IC, US, or tag team champion.
But then he was booked into the Elimination Chamber after Ali's injury, and a one night push became a full-time championship reign. The fans love Kofi as champion, and he is a new face in the title picture that freshens up the main event scene.
Bravo to WWE for listening to their fans on this one.
#1 Might need to change: Baron Corbin as Raw's top heel
Baron Corbin was a New York state Golden Gloves boxer and NFL player before he joined WWE's developmental program, NXT.
When the Lone Wolf made the jump to the main roster, he did so at the same time as Braun Strowman. WWE initially believed that Corbin would be the more successful main roster star of the two, but that's not how it played out.
Braun Strowman has managed to resonate with the WWE Universe and can get fans emotionally invested in his matches. Corbin is a better in-ring performer, but he can't seem to resonate with the fans as face or heel.
WWE seems to know this and keeps shuffling him around as pertains to his role on the show. Currently, he is being treated as the top heel on RAW, with his recent title shot and his win over Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania 35 as evidence of this.
Not all seeds grow in all soils, and WWE may want to change Corbin's role yet again.
#2 Doing right: AJ Styles
AJ Styles is a great example of why you should never say never in the world of pro wrestling.
AJ Styles was once considered a man who would never, ever, work for WWE. There were a lot of reasons for this. Firstly, to deal with the elephant in the room, AJ Styles is much smaller than the typical mould for a WWE main event player.
Second, he was already an established star on the international scene as well as Impact and Ring of Honor. WWE often likes to pretend that their wrestlers never appeared anywhere else even if they are established stars, such as Red Rooster Terry Taylor.
Third, AJ is a major player and can command good pay and the main event spot anywhere he wants. The belief was WWE would never make an offer that AJ would accept.
But offer they did, and he accepted. AJ Styles has enjoyed great booking ever since he made his debut. While many can criticize WWE for their treatment of various talents who came from other promotions, there's no doubt that AJ is being handled well by the company. Styles would seem to agree, as he re-signed with WWE.
#2 Might need to change: Bringing up NXT stars too early
At this point, it's become murky as to just how much NXT remains the developmental body of WWE.
When it comes to pleasing their fans, and critical acclaim, NXT is far and away ahead of any of WWE's other brands, including flagship show RAW. On the other hand, WWE is still treating NXT like the minor leagues, and poaching their talent for the main roster at a steady rate.
Some NXT wrestlers have done quite well on the main roster, such as Andrade, but then you have Heavy Machinery. The comedic duo was booed during the Stomping Grounds match against Rowan and Daniel Bryan, which is not a good look.
WWE might want to consider keeping its stars in NXT for a little longer to season them before making the jump to the main roster.
#3 Doing right: Drew McIntyre/Roman Reigns feud
Feuds are the bread and butter of pro wrestling. While it's possible to have a great match without a storyline attached, having an emotional investment from the fans makes it that much better.
After all, the Wrestlemania III main event between Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan was not a spectacular technical wrestling clinic, but the fans were highly invested in their feud.
One thing that WWE has handled quite well is the feud between Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre. The two men are similar but different in their approach to wrestling, and there is a nice dichotomy between up and comer Drew and established star, Roman.
Adding Shane McMahon into the mix just makes the feud that much more interesting. We're betting that the outcome will have Roman establishing dominance, with a face turn for Drew when he realizes Shane is just using him.
#3 Might need to change: Daniel Bryan as a heel
Daniel Bryan made millions of wrestling fans happy when he finally returned to in-ring action after a long medical hiatus.
Upon his return, he was initially a baby face, but then he made a heel turn. Perhaps more surprising than his leap to the bad guy side of the fence is the person who had the idea in the first place.
Daniel Bryan himself.
Bryan noticed that the "Yes" chants were dying down, and pitched the idea of his eco-friendly heel character to Vince McMahon. The CEO was so impressed with the transition that he granted Bryan the right to book his own character, a rare honour. Bryan has been using his position as a booker to elevate men like Ali and Kofi Kingston.
Unfortunately, Bryan is so well respected by the WWE Universe they have a hard time booing him. During the Stomping Grounds match with Heavy Machinery, many chants supporting Bryan could be heard, such as "Captain Planet" and "We recycle."
WWE might want to turn Bryan back into a babyface soon.
There you have it; Three things WWE is doing right, and three things they might want to change. Questions or comments? Please leave them after the article and as always thanks for reading!