6 WWE Storylines that were dropped without any explanation

The Wyatts began targetting the Beast Brock Lesnar in early 2016, though the storyline never went anywhere and was quickly dropped.
The Wyatts began targetting the Beast Brock Lesnar in early 2016, though the storyline never went anywhere and was quickly dropped.

WWE has been around for many, many decades now, and what has been a key to the success of the company is storytelling.

Over the years, there have been plenty of epic tales, such as Stone Cold Steve Austin's battle with the villainous Vince McMahon, and Daniel Bryan's rise to the main event with the Yes! Movement in 2014.

But for as good as these stories were, there have been plenty of clunkers along the way, and some stories didn't even get an ending at all.

Here are six WWE storylines that ended without an explanation

#6 Sasha and Bayley go to therapy

The Boss and the Hugger attended therapy with WWE's resident mental health guru, Dr. Shelby, though the storyline was dropped shortly after..
The Boss and the Hugger attended therapy with WWE's resident mental health guru, Dr. Shelby, though the storyline was dropped shortly after..

Sasha Banks may have recently returned to WWE programming as a heel, but it was a long time coming for some fans. For months, the Boss had an on-again, off-again feud with her friend and former foe Bayley, as it seemed a heel turn for one of the pair was surely going to happen.

The pair turned on each other during the first Women's Elimination Chamber match in 2018, and did so on repeated occasions throughout the year. As it seemed a genuine feud between the two was inevitable, fans wondered who would turn first: Banks, who had tried to make amends from her days as a heel in NXT, or Bayley, who had only hinted at a darker side under her bubbly persona.

The problems between the two even saw the pair go to therapy, but the angle was quickly dropped afterwards, and Bayley remains a babyface to this day, now on SmackDown Live.

#5 Shane's lockbox

Fans never discovered what was inside Shane's lockbox.
Fans never discovered what was inside Shane's lockbox.

When Shane McMahon returned to the WWE, everyone (including myself) was ecstatic. Shane hadn't been seen in the company for nearly a decade, and though fans may have gotten sick of him in 2019, the son of the boss promised big things upon his return.

Wanting to take control of Monday Night RAW, Shane's request was blocked by his father Vince, though Vince gave his son the chance to earn the title of RAW GM, if he could defeat The Undertaker at WrestleMania.

The reason for Vince's sudden change of heart, was a lockbox Shane had in his possession, which contained something of great importance to the Chairman of the Board. Unfortunately, the story of the lockbox was dropped pretty much immediately, as once Shane got his match, the mysterious package was never mentioned again.

The story also didn't explain why The Undertaker, who had been at odds with Vince in the past was so willing to work on his behalf. Once Shane lost the Hell in a Cell WrestleMania match, the lockbox was never mentioned, and we don't know whether Vince was able to acquire what it held.

#4 Heel Jim Ross

Ross turned heel in WWE multiple times, but it didn't go anywhere.
Ross turned heel in WWE multiple times, but it didn't go anywhere.

Arguably the greatest commentator to ever don a headset, Good ol' J.R. Jim Ross was the voice of the WWE for years, providing classic commentary to some of the biggest matches of all time. Despite having such a way with words that even the most cynical fans got hooked, the decision was made in 1996 to turn the beloved figure heel.

After Scott Hall and Kevin Nash left the company for WCW, Ross began managing fake imitations of the characters of Razor Ramon and Kevin Nash (the latter of which was played by Kane). Insulting the fans intelligence along the way, the story didn't make any sense, as all it did was remind fans that the stars they wanted to see were now available for viewing on the competition's broadcast.

After months as the manager of the pair, Ross would simply return to his babyface play-by-play role as a commentator without any explanation, and though he would turn heel years later as the manager of 'Dr. Death' Steve Williams, this second turn didn't make any more sense for one of the most beloved men in wrestling.

#3 Hideo's attacker remains a mystery

Though there were hints, Hideo's attacker was never revealed before his release from WWE.
Though there were hints, Hideo's attacker was never revealed before his release from WWE.

Hideo Itami joined the WWE's NXT division at arguably the best possible time. Alongside fellow indie darlings like Finn Balor, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, and Neville, the former KENTA was poised to be a big star in the yellow brand, until an injury derailed everything.

After suffering an injury, Itami had to be removed from a number one contender's triple threat match for Owen's NXT Title, making the match a singles affair between Finn Balor and Tyler Breeze. To write him out, Itami was found writing in pain outside the arena, as fans wondered who would have attacked the Japanese Superstar.

Unfortunately for Itami, his return took much longer than planned, and by the time he comeback happened in August the next year, the story had long been forgotten about. Though NXT did allude to who his attacker could have been during his absence, nothing was revealed. The closest fans got to an answer was that Owens walked past Itami moments after the attack, and though it makes sense for the Prizefighter to be the man responsible, Itami's attacker remains at large.

#2 Daniel Bryan's career-altering announcement

Fans will never find out what Bryan's career-altering announcement was.
Fans will never find out what Bryan's career-altering announcement was.

The most recent storyline on this list dropped without any explanation, this mystery surrounds Daniel Bryan, and only too place a few months ago. After the loss of the Smackdown Tag Team Championships by Bryan and Rowan to New Day at Extreme Rules, the eco-warrior promised a career-altering announcement that would change his future.

In the run-up to SmackDown, fans wondered what could Bryan's announcement be, and the show was sold by the WWE around the idea. Some fans even feared the worst, that Bryan would be forced to step away from the ring once again, just like he did in 2016.

By the time the blue brand aired, fans were itching to see what would it be, though Bryan instead came out three times during the night, but left without ever giving even a clue to what his announcement was going to be.

Instead, the former WWE Champion randomly wrestled a match afterwards with zero references or explanation regarding his decision. WWE reportedly dropped it to start Bryan’s new feud with Roman Reigns, but we’ll never know what his announcement was supposed to be.

#1 The Wyatts take on the Beast

The company teased Wyatt Vs. Lesnar in 2016, but the match never happened.
The company teased Wyatt Vs. Lesnar in 2016, but the match never happened.

Brock Lesnar is a creature unlike anyone else in WWE, so it makes sense that the company would save him for their very top stars. In early 2016, that star seemed to be Bray Wyatt, as the company teased a feud between the two in the run-up to WrestleMania 32.

It was Bray, along with the rest of the Wyatt Family, who prevented the Beast from reclaiming the WWE World Championship at the 2016 Royal Rumble, as it seemed a match between the two was destined to happen.

Another segment on RAW saw Wyatt hit Sister Abigail on Lesnar, and the feud could have been really interesting, pitting Lesnar's stoicism against Wyatt's mysticism. Sadly, fans will never get to see an angle between the two former Champions.

The angle was just dropped without warning after Lesnar defeated Luke Harper on a WWE Network special. Dean Ambrose later moved into a feud with Brock that would see them face off in the WrestleMania match, and though this match could have been entertaining, given it's No Holds Barred stipulation, it was instead a dud.

Quick Links

App download animated image Get the free App now