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The month of August was a very eventful one for WWE and pro-wrestling in general. With the emergence of viable competition in the industry, WWE has put a lot of effort into improving its content.
WWE programming has been relatively better this month. With Heyman and Bischoff finally adjusting to their roles of executive directors, the future of RAW and SmackDown looks solid. However, mistakes were made.
In this article, we analyze WWE's programming for August and categorize it into the good, the bad, and the ugly. Feel free to share your opinion in the comments section below.
#1 The Good: Bringing back the King of the Ring tournament
One of WWE's biggest announcements this month was the return of the historical King of the Ring tournament.
Having been a launchpad for many Superstars in the past, WWE has a great opportunity to produce a new star from the current roster. The fact that many underutilized talents are getting a chance to showcase their in-ring skills in the tournament is amazing.
The first round of the tournament on both RAW and SmackDown has produced many thrilling matches, as well as upsets. We already know our top eight contestants, but the question now is - who will become the next King of the Ring?
#2 The Good: The return of Sasha Banks
Just when the RAW women's division was starting to become a one-woman show, Vince finally convinced Sasha Banks to return, making the title picture exciting again.
While many expected her to show up at SummerSlam, WWE decided to unleash her the following night on RAW, and what a reception she got! Banks is one of the most talented Superstars in the women's division, and with her new cocky heel attitude, she can bring the house down.
A program between a heel Sasha and face Becky is sure to be huge, and with WWE trying to blur the line between kayfabe and reality, we might be in for a massive rivalry. Do you think she can be the one to dethrone The Man?
#3 The Good: The in-ring debut of The Fiend
The sinister persona of Bray Wyatt, The Fiend, has been one of the best gimmicks produced by the company this decade, if not ever. After his long hiatus, Wyatt returned to the screen in late April with a complete makeover. The fans quickly realized that the ever-smiling Wyatt had a demented layer. He was eventually revealed to be The Fiend.
After months of build-up, this eerie creature finally made his in-ring debut on SummerSlam against Finn Balor. He impressed fans and critics alike. As if that weren't enough, The Fiend has been attacking legends and Hall of Famers on RAW, making his presence felt.
Not long ago, Wyatt fell from prominence. However, it is safe to say he is the most exciting aspect of WWE programming at the moment, with many comparing his aura to that of the legendary Undertaker.
With recent rumors of Wyatt being inserted into the WWE Universal Title picture at Hell in a Cell, it might not be long before we see The Fiend carrying Wyatt's head in one hand, and the Universal Championship in the other. However, whether that's a good decision or not is debatable.
Whatever the case is, Bray Wyatt will remain an integral part of the show, and I'm excited to find out what comes next!
#4 The Bad: Weak showcase of the tag division
WWE has often been criticized for not giving proper attention to its tag team division. Possessing many of the best teams in the business, it is indeed disheartening to see the poor state of the RAW and SmackDown tag titles pictures.
Vince is known to pair-up random Superstars and push them over the established tag teams. First, we witnessed the team of Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman dethroning the OC as the RAW tag champs, then last week, another random team of Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler came out victorious in a match involving the entire tag division.
The fact is, sooner or later these teams will split, but if the genuine teams keep losing to them, who'll take your division seriously?
#5 The Bad: Street Profits on RAW
The debate of Vince calling up NXT Superstars to the main roster and not using them properly isn't new. The latest example of this has been the former NXT Tag Team Champions, the Street Profits.
Each week on RAW, we see them hype up random matches and faceoffs on the show in their backstage segments. While they are a legit enjoyable act on NXT, the way they're being used on the main roster so far is confusing. Whether they're officially on the main roster is another question, because they haven't had a match yet.
The need is to get them in a meaningful program on RAW, introducing them properly to the WWE Universe. If they continue in this manner, they might become stale long before entering the ring.
#6 The Ugly: Elias as the 24/7 Champion
Many were initially skeptical when Mick Foley introduced the 24/7 Championship to the WWE Universe a couple of months ago. But thankfully, Superstars like R-Truth and Drake Maverick had other plans. They have not only made the segments involving the title hilarious, but they have also made it one of the best parts of the show.
Unfortunately, not everyone can make this work, with the prime example being the recent 24/7 Champ, Elias. The Drifter has been a great entertainer on the main roster, but something about him and the title doesn't mix.
Elias may be the worst 24/7 Champion till date, and WWE should keep him out of it for good.
#7 The Ugly: The Kevin Owens vs Shane McMahon saga
It's no secret that WWE is trying to shape the character of Kevin Owens as the next Stone Cold Steve Austin. Ideally, he is the perfect Superstar on the current roster who can come anywhere close to the badass level of the Rattlesnake.
The problem is, his saga with Shane McMahon doesn't make sense at all. Firstly, people have had enough of Shane McMahon on TV, and secondly, it's weird that Owens shows concern over a fine Shane imposed and tries to negotiate.
A Stone Cold-esque character is meant to raise hell, forcing the evil McMahon to take back his fine, and not plead and apologize. The storyline hasn't been interesting, and Vince should end it before the fans turn on Owens.
#8 The Good/The Bad: Roman Reigns' mystery attacker storyline
The storyline of the mystery attacks on Roman Reigns and his quest to find out the culprit was amazing when it started, but somehow it seems to be dragging on needlessly.
Initially, the fans were completely into it when Samoa Joe was accused of the attacks, and then Buddy Murphy got involved, keeping the suspense. Right now everything points to Daniel Bryan.
Honestly, segments such as revealing a lookalike of Rowan are just playing with our intelligence, without doing justice to the storyline.
In all certainty, the revelation of Daniel Bryan being the culprit will happen before WWE Clash of Champions, leading to a match between Bryan and Reigns at the PPV. Maybe WWE also has plans of dragging this till the Hell in a Cell PPV. However, they should be careful about losing the attention of fans.
Nevertheless, the company should be credited for trying something fresh and getting the fans tuning in each week to find out the next chapter. The angle has had some highs and lows, hence it makes it into the 'good/bad' section of our monthly review.
What was your favorite aspect of WWE programming in August? Let us know in the comments section below.
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