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WWE has a lot of changes to make in 2021, and while some of them will be easy to accomplish, others might be more difficult. Now, a lot of that has to do with WWE wanting to pull out all the stops to get fans' attention, but a much more subtle approach could work nicely.
In fact, if WWE were to simply change a few key components of their storytelling, they could really recapture the magic they had last year. It might even be enough to create another small boom period for WWE, which would be great for their future on FOX and USA Network.
With WWE needing to gain fans' attention again, here are 5 things they should do and 5 things they shouldn't do in 2021. As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to tell us what you think the company needs to accomplish in 2021.
#10 WWE shouldn't do too many cinematic universe matches
Cinematic matches were somewhat of a neat novelty for WWE to use in 2020. However, it seemed to divide fans more than anything else. Of course, some fans loved the idea, especially when it came to The Fiend character, but it didn't really work when it came to the Money in the Bank or the Swamp match.
The motif made a rousing return at Backlash when Randy Orton and Edge took part in The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever, but it hasn't really worked since then. In fact, it has become a bit of a tired trope among WWE fans, which leaves the future of such matches in doubt.
Now, this doesn't mean these types of matches can't happen on occasion, but they are not something that should be focused on for very long. In all honesty, doing so ruins the magic of the moment, and a lot of the storytelling is so difficult to follow anyway.
#9 WWE should bring a hardcore element to the 24/7 title
It's no secret that the 24/7 title is WWE's family-friendly version of the original Hardcore Championship, and that might just be the hardest thing to accept about its premise. Although the title's design wasn't the best idea either, it was how the belt was defended that has been particularly difficult to invest in.
Keep in mind that the 24/7 rule used to have Superstars running through airports, play area's and even backstage to win the coveted prize. It also had an anything could happen type of feel, which isn't seen in the current title picture. It's always just a last-second betrayal and a pin for the victory.
In the end, WWE needs to make this belt more unpredictable, and that starts by invoking a hardcore rule. At the very least, WWE can't keep relying on roll-ups and cartoon shenanigans to tell the story of the title. They need to get gutsier with their storytelling and lean it towards the older crowd.
#8 WWE shouldn't give Roman Reigns a short title run
WWE has truly captured lightning in a bottle with Roman Reigns' heel turn, and while it might not be heading for a WrestleMania main event match against The Rock, there are still a lot of other places it can go. This could even be the start of one of the greatest heel runs in WWE history.
Of course, some might want Reigns' heel turn to only last a short time but, it really doesn't make all that much sense to do so. In fact, between WrestleMania 37 coming up and Reigns being their best heel, it's almost inconceivable that WWE would have him drop the title there. It could even chip away at what they have already built with this character.
Beyond that, who does WWE even have that is worthy of taking the title from Roman Reigns at WrestleMania? In all honesty, that's a very short list of candidates and almost none of them are full-time Superstars anymore. That's why WWE would be much better off going long with this title run.
#7 WWE should give Aleister Black another chance
WWE has a lot to accomplish in 2021, but one of the most important things should be to give Aleister Black another chance. Furthermore, they need to do their best to make fans remember exactly what made Black a future title contender in the first place.
While a lot of Black's push was due to Paul Heyman having a lot of faith in him, he showed a lot of brilliance during that time. He even did a month-long program with Buddy Murphy that culminated in some of the best matches WWE had put on in 2020. It almost seemed like Black was destined to become the next top guy.
Unfortunately for him, WWE lost faith in his abilities very quickly and had him lose the Money in the Bank match. He also turned heel for a short time he was taken off television. WWE can rebuild him though if they just go back to what made him great.
#6 WWE shouldn't keep RETRIBUTION together much longer
WWE made RETRIBUTION out to be a bunch of bloodthirsty vigilantes in the beginning. Unfortunately, they didn't do much to keep the theme going. The faction has even become a bottom card group that loses on a regular basis, which really isn't helping their appeal.
Keep in mind that this was the same team that had both RAW and SmackDown on their toes for months. The group even invaded both shows and attacked Superstars at random. The only problem was that once they got the team in the ring, they lost almost constantly.
If nothing else, WWE needs to find a way to split up RETRIBUTION, and get fans to just forget about it. Whether that happens by Ali betraying the group remains to be seen, but they can't keep this charade of storyline going. They have to move on from it and try to find new ways to build up these mid-card Superstars.
#5 WWE should put the title back on Becky Lynch
WWE didn't really have any options when it came to Becky Lynch dropping the RAW Women's Championship, but it still left her story incomplete. Almost like Lynch's years of work on top didn't have the satisfying conclusion it deserved. If nothing else, WWE needs to look towards bringing some kind of closure to her previous storyline.
WWE could do a storyline where the company just wants to move on from Becky Lynch and find the next big thing. Maybe the company could recreate an authority storyline that leads to a one-on-one match between Becky Lynch and Stephanie McMahon for the title.
Or maybe WWE finishes Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch, and the former UFC fighter sits in as the Authority's chosen one. If nothing else, this would be a great feud to end the year on, or even start at the Royal Rumble. Either way, the company just needs a satisfying ending to Becky Lynch's saga as The Man.
#4 WWE shouldn't bring back The Undertaker to compete
The Undertaker retired at Survivor Series last year, and while WWE has made it out to be the end of his career, there are always rumors floating of a return. Unfortunately for WWE, this would undermine any credibility they have left, and ruin one of the last few true legends in the company.
Think about it – WWE already teased The Undertaker's retirement at WrestleMania 33, but had him return on and off afterwards. While some of the moments were pretty special to witness, especially his Boneyard Match with AJ Styles, it wasn't worth the lost credibility to get there.
In the end, The Undertaker should be retired for good, and not used for anything beyond promotion. Whether that is a video game DLC character, or maybe as a guest host for WrestleMania is fine, but any kind of wrestling capacity should be out of bounds at this point. It's just too costly for everyone involved.
#3 WWE should bring back Ronda Rousey
WWE needs legitimacy in the absence of Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey might be the only one left that can help get it back. In all honesty, between her ever-growing social media following, and previous comments about the pro wrestling business, it's evident that WWE needs to get her back in the ring.
A big problem with the company lately has been their unwillingness to blur the lines between fiction and reality. Of course, the exception to this would be The Fiend character, but the rest of the roster is not capitalizing from that same success. It also seems like WWE is hesitant to blur the lines for some reason.
In the end, WWE needs to bring Rousey back, and bring up what she has been saying on Twitter. Not only will that enrage wrestling purists that don't like Rousey, but it will also attract mainstream appeal. It might even result in a match that could headline WrestleMania again.
#2. WWE shouldn't keep pushing Lana
For better or for worse, Lana has graced WWE television frequently over the past year, and it has been one heck of a ride. It started out with the New Year's Eve edition of Monday Night RAW, where Lana got married to Bobby Lashley. The ceremonies kept getting interrupted by ex-lovers, Rusev, and even Liv Morgan.
WWE ditched the gimmick a few months later, and they got an off-screen divorce. Now, a lot of that probably has to do with the regime change that happened when Paul Heyman left creative, but the transition was less than graceful, to say the least.
It's been a year, and Lana hasn't really hit her stride at all. She still hasn't managed to get an organic response from fans, and they have been at it for months. If nothing else, there are other Superstars deserving of the television time that has been dedicated to Lana this year. and they shouldn't keep wasting it on her.
#1 WWE should give The Fiend a meaningful run with the title
Why can't WWE give The Fiend the title run he actually deserves? While it is worth noting that the company has had the best of intentions with the character from the start, they always seem to get lost in something. It's almost like they always take it in a direction that the fans dislike or lose hope in the character.
For example, The Fiend character was pulling less than serviceable ratings during his run as champion on SmackDown, which prompted WWE to have him lose to Goldberg. Another prime example was when WWE decided to end the 2019 Hell in Cell match between The Fiend and Seth Rollins with a disqualification.
If nothing else, WWE needs to stop changing their mind on this character, and just give him the run he deserves. Of course, that's not going to be easy due to how judgmental a lot of the fanbase is, but the company needs to stop looking for outs and start going back to what made the character organic.
