The following editorial reflects the opinions of the author.
Well, we are at an interesting crossroads in the life of the WWE right now. As we are all aware, WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins, has been injured. While in the midst of his reign as champ, Mr. Architect is sidelined with a torn ACL, and will be out for 6 to 9 months.
While the way he was being booked is questionable, what’s not in question was the roll that he was on. He was the main event, the champion, the focal point of the show, and putting on the matches of his career against high caliber, main event talent. He is someone who took the ball and ran with it.
That said, again, we are at a crossroads. Your champion is injured, your other top talents are either injured, as well (Sting, Randy Orton), or off doing their own things outside of the WWE (Cena, Lesnar). Now, WWE, you are scrambling to find yourself a new “man”, the guy that you can trust to carry your show. Tonight marks the start of a tournament to crown a new champion at Survivor Series.
Here’s where we find ourselves in a pickle. I hate being the guy that calls back to the Attitude Era, but hey, that truly was the pinnacle of wrestling.
Let’s take all the vulgarity aside. Let’s take the cursing, violence, sexuality, and blood out of consideration. What is the one thing that the Attitude Era had that the current does not?
Answer: Hungry, talented people that had the goods, and were ready to reach for the stars.
Let’s be honest, we all hated and cringed at Vinnie Mac’s ridiculous Millenials comment during the Stone Cold podcast. However, let us also not kid ourselves: his point was not far off of the mark. There are many talented individuals waiting in the wings. However, which of them is truly ready and up to the challenge of carrying the company? Ah, I can already hear the angry gnashing of your keyboards. Hang with me, here.
During the Attitude Era, there were countless wrestlers who were on the cusp of the main event, at any given time. Every title was important. Every wrestler was important. Every storyline was important. WWE was not afraid to take the chance on a guy to either sink or swim on their own merits. The importance of the midcard had just as much emphasis as the WWE Title. They managed to build up every single wrestler, no matter at which level, to be true superstars.
That said, this current lack of main event caliber is not necessarily the fault of the wrestlers, themselves.
No, the reason that the WWE is scrambling, the reason that no one is at the ready, the reason that no one is capable of being at the main event, falls upon one person. It lies solely at the feet of Vince McMahon, Jr. himself.
The WWE has spent so much time building one wrestler at a time to the main event level, that it forgoes all other talent, regardless of actual readiness and capabilities.
Kevin Owens is the Intercontinental Champion. A title and role that, at one point, held more importance than the WWE title and champion. Does that matter now? Sure doesn’t feel like it.
Does it feel like the U.S. Title matters now that it’s been taken off of the WWE Golden Boy, Cena?
There are many superstars who, if given opportunity to build themselves up, could be there. The abilities are there. Wrestling today us inarguably more athletic and competitive than it was during the Attitude Era. I’m not going to get into the who’s and why’s, because that’s all subjective to who you’d personally like to see given the push. However, the WWE has not given anyone, outside of a select few, that opportunity. And it’s been that select few for a very long time now, and we’re all a bit bored with it. I believe that this is something we can all agree on.
We are at this interesting crossroads because now WWE is being forced to give out that opportunity to the talent. Here is the chance to allow someone to sink or swim, to reach for the brass rings, and all those other cliches. It’s time for the WWE to overhaul their thinking. Sadly, it comes at the expense of the incredible Seth Rollins.
Maybe, hopefully, now Vince will use this unfortunate set of circumstances to realize that there needs to be a top to bottom importance set on every person backstage. There are three hours every Monday, and two hours every Thursday. There is no excuse for every superstar to not be given ample time to get themselves over.
I guess we’ll find out who the WWE and Vince give the ball to later this month. Or, worse yet, if we’re going to fall into the same rut of predictability.
Discuss!