5 Best Things About WWE Right Now

A few weeks ago I made quite a few people cross. I had a bit of a love-in over New Japan Pro Wrestling, and I gave five pretty solid reasons why it was better than WWE. Naturally, a certain type of smarky smarkface took my comments as wrestling’s very own V for Vendetta speech. For others though, I was the Britta Perry of the wrestling world; hating on WWE out of some some desperate bid for attention. Thing is, I still actually like WWE, and today I want to talk about why.

To be clear, I stand behind every criticism I’ve leveled at World Wrestling Entertainment. And more to boot. The recent Fastlane pay-per-view was like a rush of flabby air farting itself out of an old balloon. Long term story planning and payoffs for big moments be damned, as long as Vince McMahon thought it sounded alright in his head. But I’m not here today to be a grumpy old smarktapus. Today I’m all about what WWE is doing right, and it’s more than you probably noticed. Here goes:

 

1. The Women’s Divisions

From the middle of what’s staring to look like a wrestling Renaissance, it’s easy to forget where WWE’s women’s division was only two years ago. Not only do WWE now have enough women performers to fill their own show, should they chose to, you’d be hard pressed to find one who’s not over with the fans.

The four horsewomen go without saying, and are now the foundation of the main roster women’s divisions. But since the brand split a minibus full of NXT call ups and returns have arrived on Raw and Smackdown. And every single one has a gimmick which works for them. Alexa Bliss has been made into a star, with Naomi and Carmella ready to step up when called upon.

Meanwhile, NXT continues to be a kind of wrestling jewelers, taking unpolished talent and allowing them to find their inner gimmick. Making me squee over Asuka’s Takeover entrances is easy. Transforming Peyton Royce and Billie Kay into characters I care about makes me think Triple H might actually be a wizard. And damn, those Australian ladies have won me over big time.

 

2. Corey Graves

I heart Corey Graves, but I’m not sure we truly deserve him. After a decade of brain mushing corporate synergy on commentary, Graves is like discovering that chill dude from the independent book store has started working at Subway. He seems cool about it, but every time he serves you you’re reminded of what a mindless drone you’ve become for the six inch sub meal deal. You’re pathetic.

Corey Graves is the most natural colour commentator in a generation. Whether it’s his goofy chemistry with Tom Phillips, his pure hatred for Enzo Amore, or his constant ribbing of Mauro Ranallo on 205 Live, Graves is never not entertaining. Oh, and he actually bothers trying to get everyone over. Where JBL will side with the heel and belittle the face no matter what, Graves will sell a big move or moment regardless of who’s involved.

Man, if we don’t get to hear Graves call a show with Jim Ross at least once, we live in a poorer world than I thought.

 

3. Old School Monsters

If you want to see the absolute best wrestlers fight each other in the best matches, watch New Japan. If you want to watch the Young Bucks deconstruct wrestling, watch PWG. But if you want to see eye wateringly giant men with legitimate wrestling chops, it’s time to tune back in to WWE.

Braun Strowman has been a revelation in the last few months. The guy’s 6’8, 385 pounds, and he did a kip up for Christ sake. The man’s nearly 400 pounds and he’s jumping off the top rope.

The top rope, you idiots. Didn’t you hear what I just said? It’s like Hagrid trying to do a shooting star press. It’s like me trying to dunk a basketball with my eyes closed. Or open. I suck at basketball.

Meanwhile on Smackdown Baron Corbin and Luke Harper are ready to go whenever Vince McMahon is ready to let them. I’m still not fully on Team Corbin yet, but the lack of shits he shows about being there is starting to endear him to me. And listen Luke Harper, Vince might not think you’re a star, but who else put on a four star singles match at Elimination Chamber? Who also wasn’t 275 pounds with a massive black beard and a hilarious grin?

Give me more giants, WWE. Let them fight like Megazords.

 

4. NXT

There’s a lot of talk lately that maybe NXT has changed. It’s not the same beast it once was, churning stars out of obscure athletes and indie darlings. The flip flopping of the NXT title has diminished its value and things have become too reliant on existing name recognition.

To me, that doesn’t matter. NXT is still a place where young talent can figure out what they need to be to succeed on the big stage. In the last six months plenty of stars have found that grove: Tye Dillinger, Andrade Cien Almas and the aforementioned Peyton Royce and Billie Kay being prime examples. That there are now seasoned veterans like Bobby Roode, Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka around from which to learn is not a negative for me.

But the other thing NXT does right is just as important. Simple booking, built around pr-planned but easy to follow stories, has rightfully earned the show a cult following. It’s popularity might be overstated, but nothing captures that big fight feel like a marquee match at an NXT Takeover.

Also, NXT has Asuka, and thanks to her unbeaten streak Asuka is starting to look less like a wrestler and more like a deity. Let’s worship her.

 

5. AJ Styles

Ugh, this one stings right now because it looks from all outside appearances like WWE want the best wrestler in the world to fight Shane McMahon at Wrestlemania.

AJ Styles, when the book is closed on his career, will be known as one the greatest to ever step between the ropes. His last 14 months, even as he closes in on his 40th birthday, have been exceptional. Match after match he delivers – to the point that now, a small part of me wants to see him have a bad one. Just to confirm he’s actually human, you know?

His promos are great, his heel work has made him the biggest face in the company and his chemistry with John Cena makes him the member of an elite club. No, not that club (or that Elite, while we’re at it).

And they want this guy to fight a glorified middle-aged stuntman at Mania? And it’s definitely no jokesies? You have Finn Balor, Shinsuke Nakamura and Seth Rollins, guys. And you go with the guy whose sneakers make him look like an aging Silicon Valley CEO having an affair with his 22 year old intern?

Stay positive ,Chris. AJ will find a way to make it work. He has not failed you yet. Have faith, and too sweet.