5 of WWE's best booking decisions in 2021 thus far

For most hardcore WWE fans, it is common knowledge that WWE content is scripted. Everything that the WWE Universe witnesses live on television or in attendance is pre-determined, and the outcome of a match is almost always known to the wrestlers. Matches are booked and produced by WWE producers and other relevant authorities.

Over the past few months, WWE has taken quite a few risks. For example, WrestleMania 37 only featured two part-timers in Edge and Shane McMahon. This is immensely different from WrestleMania 36: Goldberg and Brock Lesnar were the World Champions heading into the event.

Booking isn't an easy task, and the effort WWE producers put into storylines and match-ups is commendable. Some booking decisions are well-received by fans, while others aren't. For example, Kofi Kingston's WWE Championship win was hailed by the WWE Universe, whereas, the fans condemned Goldberg's win over the Fiend at Super Show-Down in February 2020.

While evaluating booking decisions, this list will consider the WWE Universe's response and long-term consequences.

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#5 Riddle wins The WWE United States Championship at Elimination Chamber

Riddle won the US Championship at Elimination Chamber

At Elimination Chamber, Riddle won his first singles championship when he defeated then champion Bobby Lashley and John Morrison. The King of Bros pinned Morrison after hitting him with the Bro-Derek while Lashley was outside the ring. WWE protected Lashley in the process as he was never involved in the final decision.

Riddle's win gave rise to an interesting series of events. Later that night, Lashley would viciously assault Drew McIntyre, which would pave the way for the former to win his first WWE Championship. The All Mighty might have lost the US Championship, but the consolation prize was worth the loss incurred.

It also gave Riddle a firm footing on the main roster as he was struggling to remain relevant on the Red Brand. The former NXT North American Champion would defend his title successfully against stars like Mustafa Ali, but he dropped it to Sheamus at WrestleMania 37. His reign lasted 49 days. Post-WrestleMania, Riddle started a storyline with Randy Orton which has intrigued fans and will elevate the youngster.

Had Riddle not won the US Championship at Elimination Chamber, Lashley would've never won the WWE Championship, and Riddle would still be struggling to find his place on the main roster.

#4 Bobby Lashley retains the WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 37

Bobby Lashley retained the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 37

The opening match of WrestleMania 37, the first one with a live crowd in attendance, saw the indomitable WWE Champion Bobby Lashley go head-to-head with a vengeful Drew McIntyre.

After a back-and-forth eighteen-minute encounter, the WWE Champion locked in the devastating Hurt Lock (Full Nelson), and McIntyre passed out. Lashley withstood three consecutive Future Shock DDTs but with the help of MVP, who provided the distraction, emerged victorious after a physical affair.

After countless years of hard work, Lashley won the WWE Championship, and WrestleMania would've been way too soon to end his reign. A major portion of the WWE Universe would've been disappointed if Lashley had been used in a similar role as Brock Lesnar in the previous year, i.e., as a stepping stone for McIntyre to ascend the peak of the mountain. Even though he was the indomitable heel heading into the match, Lashley's victory caused a decent uproar in the live crowd as a significant section of the WWE Universe was found cheering The All Mighty. Moreover, the crowd was evenly divided between Lashley and McIntyre, so Lashley wasn't exactly seen as a heel by the live crowd.

The WWE Championship match at WrestleMania ensured that Lashley gets the long title reign that he deserves, was well-received by the WWE Universe and made him stronger than ever.

#3 Cesaro pins WWE's Messiah at WrestleMania 37

Cesaro gave Seth Rollins precisely what he deserved

Cesaro's rivalry with Seth Rollins, WWE's Messiah, was majorly built around the latter's fear of the Cesaro swing. Rollins went out of his way to torment Cesaro. He also secured a victory over the Swiss Cyborg's friend, Shinsuke Nakamura, at Fastlane. In doing so, Rollins managed to build heat, and the WWE Universe couldn't wait to see Cesaro swing the Messiah around like a rag-doll.

Hence when Cesaro executed the second of two devastating Neutralizers on Rollins at WrestleMania to score the victory, fans were elated. Cesaro's time had finally come. He was no longer playing second-fiddle to guys like Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins, Baron Corbin and Kevin Owens.

By cleanly pinning the Messiah, Cesaro was able to launch himself into the stratosphere of WWE. He began a feud with the top dog of WWE, Universal Champion Roman Reigns, and many would argue that the Swiss Superman is the one to dethrone the Head of the Table.

WrestleMania 37 provided a diligent, meticulous, and deserving athlete with the reward that he deserves. It was his first singles match at WrestleMania, and a victory was the best possible outcome. Rollins didn't need the victory as much as Cesaro, so he wasn't hurt by the pinfall either.

#2 Drew McIntyre retains his WWE Championship against Goldberg at the Royal Rumble

Drew McIntyre earned Goldberg's respect at Royal Rumble

WWE's first pay-per-view of the year was heavily built around the mega clash between Goldberg and WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. If history was any indication, McIntyre's days as WWE Champion were numbered.

It had become an annual custom for Golderg to return in the build-up to WrestleMania to decimate a rising star to win the World Championship and later drop it to a more powerful, prioritized foe at WrestleMania. The Hall of Famer destroyed Kevin Owens at Fastlane 2017 to win the Universal Championship and history would repeat itself three years later at Super Show-Down when The Fiend was conquered with a Jackhammer.

McIntyre had led WWE through the darkest days of the pandemic and it would've been ill-advised to take the WWE Championship off him in this way. Hence, when McIntyre pinned Goldberg at Royal Rumble in a two-minute skirmish, many fans breathed a sigh of relief as WWE avoided a potential disaster.

Had Golderg won the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble, yet another part-timer would've been WWE Champion heading into WrestleMania, which had become an irritating staple in recent years. McIntyre's win prevented that from happening even though he wasn't the champion walking into WrestleMania 37.

#1 Roman Reigns retains his WWE Universal Championship against Daniel Bryan and Edge at WrestleMania 37

Roman Reigns retained the Universal Championship at WrestleMania

Roman Reigns solidified his position in the main event of WrestleMania 37 when he double-pinned WWE Hall of Famer Edge and Daniel Bryan. It was one of the best matches of the year, and the outcome was an understandable decision and a definitive conclusion to an amazing program.

WWE tends to close WrestleMania on a high note with the popular babyface walking out of the grandest stage with his head held high, having served the despicable heel his due. WrestleMania 37 didn't follow this blueprint as Reigns reigned supreme over two overwhelmingly popular babyfaces in Bryan and Edge. Given that it was a Triple Threat Match, it did come as a surprise when Reigns retained the title as he could've lost without being pinned.

However, looking at it from a long-term perspective, it was a great decision. It didn't sit well with many fans in attendance as Reigns has become a mega villain. The whole point of the storyline was to establish the Head of the Table as a monster heel. Reigns' victory ruined Edge's triumphant return and Daniel Bryan's emotional journey to the top. This established Reigns as an abominable force in WWE.

Eventually, the man who dethrones Reigns would become a huge star as the Universal Champion has become so dominant. Putting the title on Edge or Daniel Bryan would have produced a massive pop, but it was inadvisable in the long run. Both Bryan and Edge work limited dates, and it is seldom a good idea to put the Universal Championship on a part-timer.