WWE missed an opportunity to build Liv Morgan into a star

WWE had an opportunity on its hands at last night’s edition of Monday Night Raw and they fumbled. Liv Morgan took on Becky Lynch for the WWE Raw Women’s Championship and was defeated via Lynch’s use of the ropes. This was a moment that could have helped cement Morgan as an important figure in the women’s division, but once again WWE made the wrong creative decision.

For months fans have wanted to see Morgan in a featured spot. Even when she teamed with Ruby Soho, their fans opined for them to become WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Unfortunately, that never happened, but over time Morgan has been built into the main event picture.

The majority of the social media commentary around Monday’s main event led with the expectation that Morgan would lose. WWE did an excellent job with the video packages about her leading into the match, but those felt like they were “too little, too late,” to change the narrative heading into the match. Morgan was certainly emotional about the moment, as viewers could tell on her face, and she competed well. Yet, she’d still lose by the roll-up tactic with the ropes that Lynch has used match-after-match.

WWE Day 1 is looming on the horizon and it’s pretty easy to see that Lynch and Morgan will be involved in some type of matchup at that PPV. Perhaps that’s the moment where Morgan figures out a way to outsmart “The Man” and raise that title above her head. But that still doesn’t solve the fact that the main event from Monday feels like a wasted opportunity.

For example, compare this match to the title victories of both Bobby Lashley and Big E. WWE was well aware of the backlash that would have come their way had either man failed in their title bid on those editions of Monday Night Raw. Even the bait-and-switch they attempted was met with criticism because fans wanted to see the moment where two well-liked competitors became champions for the first time. Morgan may not have as much tenure as either of those men, but she’s equally valuable and needed at a time when the WWE is struggling to create viable stars – especially in the women’s division.

Predictability has its place in professional wrestling. Leading fans to a moment and delivering creates enjoyment around the product. Look at “Hangman” Adam Page’s victory at AEW Full Gear as an example. That was a win that everyone saw coming, enjoyed, and still talks about today.

However, surprise is also an important element of the industry. Big wins and moments happening on weekly shows keep viewers engaged and makes the content “must-see.” If Morgan became the champion last night, that would have been the talking point of the entire week.

WWE booking has become easy to predict and is one of the many reasons fans have turned away in droves. The promotion had the opportunity to create a major moment and build up a new star in Liv Morgan but elected for more of the same. Which in turn, is yet another mistake in its tired booking routine.