10 major missteps that changed WWE forever

#1 Stephanie McMahon takes over creative

Stephanie McMahon

As bad as the Invasion was — and it damaged the business quite a bit — it wasn't as big a mistake as making Stephanie McMahon the head of creative. Is it any coincidence then that the downfall of the hottest period in pro-wrestling history came during the same year that Stephanie McMahon began her leadership role on the creative team?

The product is still suffering from Vince McMahon's decision to entrust the foundation of WWE to his daughter despite her lack of experience or track record of creating compelling television. As a brand ambassador, Stephanie McMahon may be fantastic, but as the head of Creative, not so much.

Although Stephanie McMahon was quietly removed from this role in 2013 when a new position was created just for her (the role of Chief Brand Officer), it couldn't undo the damage she had done to the product. No matter how bad his daughter was at leading Creative, Vince McMahon was never going to undermine his daughter like he had done in years past to former Creative honchos like Bill Watts or Vince Russo.

Not only was it a poor, baseless decision that yielded terrible results, but it also sent an awful message, one dripping with nepotism, to the rest of the company.

---

Send us news tips at [email protected]