5 Problems with SmackDown Eric Bischoff needs to fix

WWE have ushered in a new era in the business, as two of the best minds in the history of pro wrestling, Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff, have appointed as executive directors or RAW and SmackDown Live, respectively.

While Heyman has already taken charge of the red brand, Bischoff will take up his new role following the Extreme Rules PPV. RAW saw a remarkable change in the first show under Heyman, with fans applauding the "edgier" product that WWE put out.

SmackDown will also have to up its game as ratings have fallen over the last few months, and they will have to do so quickly before SmackDown moves over to Fox later this year.

What are the issues that the blue brand currently faces before the arrival of Eric Bischoff?

Here are 5 problems with SmackDown Eric Bischoff needs to fix as executive director:

#5. Few heels

One of the best heel storylines of the year 2019 in WWE was the one between Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship, which culminated in Kingston winning the title for the very first time at WrestleMania 35.

What made the rivalry and the story one of the best in recent times is Bryan's planet-saving, environmentally conscious heel gimmick that showcased the very best heel gimmick of recent times.

But, with Bryan now a tag team wrestler, there are very few singles heels on SmackDown. Dolph Ziggler has recently feuded with Kofi Kingston, but he may not have a lot to offer in WWE as his gimmick is stale and uninspiring, while the other Superstar with whom Kingston feuded with recently, Kevin Owens, recently turned face.

Lars Sullivan could have been WWE's heel option, but he is out of action due to an injury, while Randy Orton has also reportedly suffered an injury. This leaves WWE with the likes of Shinsuke Nakamura or Rusev to be the heel that goes up against Kingston, or perhaps one member of The New Day turning on Kingston and setting up a storyline between the two.

Bischoff needs to address the lack of heels on SmackDown soon.

#4. No legitimate singles rivalries

As mentioned in the previous point, Kofi Kingston has feuded with quite a few stars over the last few months since he won the WWE title, but none of them have lasted.

One of the bugbears that fans have with WWE, as a whole, is that they do not build up a rivalry for a long-term payoff. All the titles on WWE television, apart from the 24/7 title, have not had a stable rivalry between two singles Superstars as WWE have chopped and changed, mixing and matching between two Superstars to find the right feud.

WWE need to invest in a rivalry, much like they did with the Kofi-Bryan one, and persist with it if they get the right storyline. The tag team division seems like an afterthought in WWE currently, and perhaps needs more rejuvenation than the singles feuds, but it seems like WWE will not give much importance to it.

#3. Intercontinental Championship stagnant

It's quite fascinating how a titleholder, that too a prestigious one like the Intercontinental Championship, gets so little airtime.

Finn Balor's last match on SmackDown was on May 14th - almost two months ago, while he hasn't wrestled since last month's Super Showdown PPV.

We aren't quite sure if he's injured or if the company is giving him a breather, or that they did not have any feuds for him. Ever since he was moved to the blue brand, Balor has not had much of an impact, and his feud with Andrade was average, at best.

The WWE Universe have been waiting for a long time to see Balor at the top of the card, and showcasing the kind of wrestling and storytelling he had on NXT or before that in Japan, but that has still not happened.

Perhaps the best way to revive his career and the Intercontinental title would be for him to turn heel!

#2. Talented stars ignored

This is the case on WWE RAW as well: WWE have far too many Superstars but very little time to accommodate all of them on WWE television. The current SmackDown roster has so many Superstars who have been ignored or have had few chances on WWE television.

The likes of Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura, former United States champions, have had a miserable run in the WWE over the last year or so, and have not been utilised properly.

Nakamura's compatriots, Asuka and Kairi Sane - The Kabuki Warriors, have also been overlooked and their feud with The IIconics was rather dreary. Asuka's stock has fallen massively and her WWE career seems to have dipped significantly, while Liv Morgan has also not been utilised well since her breakup from the Riott Squad.

Eric Bischoff will have to put these talented Superstars in interesting feuds, or we could see one, or a few of them, leaving the company.

#1. Aleister Black, Ali, Andrade

These three Superstars - Aleister Black, Ali, Andrade, are the present and future of WWE as all three of them are incredible in the ring, while they also have unique gimmicks.

All three of them started on a high note and have probably been the best Superstars to have been called up to the main roster over the last year or so. But, they too have fallen prey to the fall in viewership that SmackDown has experienced.

After teaming up with Ricochet initially, Black was moved to SmackDown, where he hasn't appeared in the ring yet but has put up dark promos each week. But, I feel that his build and return has been rather slow; WWE should have re-introduced him a few weeks ago.

Just look at his former partner, Ricochet, who is flying at the moment, with the US title around his waist and a feud with AJ Styles!

Ali and Andrade too should be more prominent on SmackDown Live each week with the former already establishing himself as a fan favourite and the latter turning into a good heel.

What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.

Edited by Lennard Surrao