Fitting a Giant peg into the right hole; Breaking up is hard to do - 5 changes WWE should make before the end of the year
The last few years have witnessed some of the biggest changes WWE and its fans have ever seen. The company merged with the UFC under the TKO banner.
Mr. McMahon, long the lone decision-making voice atop the company, is gone. In his place is the former multi-time champion, Triple H.
Many feel the product has improved under The Game, with more logical storytelling and decision-making. The unnecessary name changes are gone and stars appear to have more creative freedom.
WWE moves RAW to Netflix starting in January of 2025. The show went back to the two-hour format this week. Along with that big change, the company must make the next five changes before the end of 2024.
#5. Figure out the two-hour format for RAW
The pacing of the latest episode of RAW was one of the most inconsistent and rushed offerings this year. Sexyy Red randomly opened the show and didn't do anything of note until another brief interaction with Ethan Page that hurt his credibility as a heel.
Her appearance wasn't promoted but her NXT spot was. That brief segment could have rather given more time to one of the matches or an actual performer. Several stars then interrupted others to pivot to their segments. Seth Rollins cut off Punk and Jey Uso did the same to Rollins.
The 10-woman tag match seemed rushed and messy. With the move to Netflix in the offing, WWE has to pace the show better. If officials book more non-wrestlers like Red in meaningless segments - even as short as her appearance was - they'll have to shorten entrances.
Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, and the Undertaker all take forever to get to the ring. It felt like they were trying to book three hours of content in the two-hour format.
#4. Swap some stars between the main roster and NXT
Injuries and hiatuses have hit the WWE roster hard across RAW and SmackDown. In the span of the last year, former champions Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, and Asuka have missed time for one reason or another.
So have Dakota Kai, Shotzi, and Raquel Rodriguez. In that period, Lyra Valkyria was drafted to RAW, as was Kiana James. James is now injured. Alexa Bliss and Carmella are still out on maternity leave. The Miz turned heel yet again, but his character is still stale.
While cutting to two hours will deprive stars of a chance to get on screen, putting the right type of performer on screen can help the transition. By calling up someone like Lexis King or Ethan Page, WWE has a better version of The Miz.
Both can play slimy heels and are a notch above The A-Lister in the ring. For the women, Izzi Dame isn't doing anything in NXT but is a physical presence. She could be used in a bodyguard role for Tiffany Stratton or someone else. Katana Chance and Kayden Carter are exciting but have a ceiling.
#3. Split up some WWE duos that have teased breakups
The year 2024 has tested the mettle of many WWE duos. The New Day has been in focus lately and could implode before the year ends. A-Town Down Under seemed headed for a break-up but they've stayed together so far.
DIY and The Street Profits have been featured but suffered disappointing losses. With so many teases, one or more of those teams should have disbanded already. The Pure Fusion Collective is already a failed experiment.
WWE tries to make them seem formidable by attacking stars at the bottom of the division, like Chance, Carter, and Zelina Vega. The trio has no credibility after many big losses. Deville should go back to NXT to help the next generation of stars.
Splitting some teams will give the singles division stars who could do more than languish in a struggling team. That goes double on SmackDown if the Motor City Machine Guns are in fact heading to the blue brand.
#2. Use Omos on RAW or SmackDown
One of the stars most affected by the change from Vince McMahon to Triple H was Omos. The Nigerian Giant was utilized as an attraction when he was paired with MVP. MVP moved on to AEW after WWE didn't factor him into plans.
Because he's a spectacle, WWE must find some way to get the big man on screen. He can move to SmackDown or NXT but Omos should be used in angles.
He can confront Bronson Reed, join Alpha Academy, or battle Oba Femi. Omos isn't the most technically savvy star but he offers fans a different type of presentation that should be used.
#1. Build up credible potential winners for both Royal Rumble matches
Every year, a handful of favorites emerge for each Royal Rumble match. Last year's contest counted Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Gunther, and Drew McIntyre as potential winners.
Bayley, Jade Cargill, Lynch, and Nia Jax emerged as favorites for the women's match. Since Roman Reigns is finally without a title and The Rock returned at Bad Blood, both jump to the top of the list. The problem, however, is that neither star should win the match.
The Head of the Table doesn't need another title run or WrestleMania main event, nor does the Rock. That also applies to Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, or any other former winner.
There are plenty of viable full-timers who fit the bill. CM Punk still deserves his WrestleMania main event which could be achieved by winning the Rumble. Bron Breakker, Kevin Owens, Rodriguez, Bliss, and Iyo Sky would also get boosts by winning the match.