Opinions on WWE’s weekly content will range greatly. Whether it’s hated or not, there’s always room for improvement. Triple H is driving the creative bus on Monday Night Raw and SmackDown, where most of the eyes land each week. There’s a lot to like on these shows, but there are certainly some changes that can create better responses from fans both in attendance and online.
It goes without saying that WWE’s product is better today than it was under the last decade of leadership with Vince McMahon. There are some shifts that fans love, such as giving the women’s division more time and featured positions on the card. But there are also some major concerns that cannot be ignored, like the lack of Black and Asian men leveraged as singles acts on the main roster. Constructive criticism is key and even the more hardcore WWE fans can recognize the point that there are areas where the WWE could improve.
Increase the number of matches on PLEs
One of the most controversial changes WWE has made in recent years is the shift to shorter PLEs. Putting the shows on Saturday has been universally loved, but the cards typically feature 5 to 6 matches. While this is a move that makes the cards shorter overall, it also creates a situation in which there are fewer opportunities for performers to get on the card. That has an impact not only on the PLEs but the weekly content that is used to tell the stories leading to the big events.
With more matches on the card, the door is open to getting more performers on the show. The tag team titles on both Monday Night Raw and SmackDown are rarely featured on PLEs. A lot of fans pointed to the TLC match between the Street Profits, DIY, and the Motor City Machine Guns as a match that should have been on the WrestleMania 41 card, rather than the SmackDown episode that followed. The same could be said for the Women’s United States and Intercontinental Championships which should be on PLEs more often than they are.
Shifting the show from 5 to 6 matches to 7 to 9 would be the right move. However, this has to be coupled with strong storytelling during the week-to-week shows to build toward a meaningful match.
Less celebrity involvement
WWE has always chased mainstream attention. Several celebrities have jumped into the WWE ring for matches, commentary, special guest referees, general managers, and more. However, with Endeavor at the helm, WWE is leaning on celebrities even more and fans are tired of seeing celebrities, many that aren’t recognizable, getting more television time than performers who are “benched.”
For example, there were growing rumors that Travis Scott is expected to be featured at Money in the Bank 2025 in some fashion. The initial rumor was that he’d team with Logan Paul and John Cena to take on Cody Rhodes and The Usos. It looks like that idea has changed, as Rhodes and Jey Uso are taking on Cena and Paul, but do not be surprised if something happens and the others find their way into this match. Scott’s involvement in the WrestleMania Night Two main event was one of the worst booking decisions in recent years.
Fans also point to Logan Paul and his position on the card. While Paul has improved when it comes to his in-ring abilities, it is still problematic that he’s featured as a top name on the show. Especially when so many other performers are struggling to get television time or sustained pushes. Cutting out celebrities and putting the spotlight on the actual wrestlers under contract would be better received by viewers.
More women’s storylines outside of the title pictures
WWE has done a great job featuring both the WWE Women’s and Women’s World Championship on the main roster. There have been several big matches this year featuring women battling for those titles. However, there aren’t any interesting angles being told outside the women’s titles. This is a big reason the women’s division feels stagnant, with the same few names battling for the titles.
This is especially true when looking at the women’s mid-card titles. Becky Lynch versus Lyra Valkyria is showing what good can happen when putting a big name against a talent needing “the rub” while holding a mid-card title. There’s a need for more angles outside the women’s division as a vessel to build new stars, title challengers, and eventual champions. There’s much more to this women’s division than Nia Jax, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, and the others who are frequently placed at the top of the group.