WWE Storylines Dropped Too Soon
Gone but never forgotten
It’s no surprise that WWE has had a truck load of amazing storylines that have a lasting expression in our minds. These are the ones that are still played on special vignettes or we watch them on Youtube. From the likes of Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage, to Triple H Vs Cactus Jack, to The Rock Vs Stone, etc.
WWE tends to move some of the storylines so fast that they’re done within a month and that’s it. They move on to the next.
Some of the storylines, even though do feel complete, there’s always that chance that they could do way more than what they did. They could sprinkle on a new recipe to add more flavor to it and make it something greater.
Some of the storylines start off as bangers, they have the stakes stacked high on both wrestlers, full of promise and hope, and then they tend to fall between the cracks or they just merely cross the finish line to finish it.
Jeff Hardy As WWE Champion
Jeff Hardy is one of the most decorated wrestlers to step in the ring. Although he isn’t your “typical” looking wrestlers. The man did all he could to make sure we got our money-worth when we see him.
From TLC matches to Table matches, etc. Jeff always performed 120% every night.
We all had that organic connection with Jeff. He was one of us. He understood us, the underdogs. He understood that he didn’t “look” like a WWE champion, let alone carry the company on his shoulders. That didn’t stop him.
In 2008, Triple H was the reigning champion of course. But his reign was becoming stale and bitter. Seeing him as a babyface is almost too weird. So it was time for someone else to take on the mantle.
Jeff Hardy was chosen.
Jeff Hardy won his first WWE Championship at Armageddon 2008.
His title reign lasted only ONE month. It was like a slap to the face. It made no sense why they couldn’t carry on with him as champion. Rumor has it that Triple H used his backstage politics to convince Vince McMahon that Jeff wasn’t capable of handling such pressure as being WWE Champion.
This could’ve been some of the best storytelling they ever had. They could’ve used that angle for Jeff. Kinda like how Daniel Bryan was a “B” player in WWE.
Jeff would’ve brought the intensity and would’ve shown them that he CAN be on top of the world and be the face of the company.
Unmasking Kane
Kane was a premium part of WWE. He has such an iconic look that we all immediately know who he is. As the Attitude Era turned into the Ruthless Aggression Era, there were talks that Kane needed some changing.
What was that change?
Unmasking him of course.
I think that it happened a bit too fast. They could’ve gotten away with it more if they chose to keep the storyline going for a few months, maybe even a year if it was intriguing.
It all happened at Madison Square Garden in 2003. Kane had to face Triple H for the World Title. The match was monumental in his career. Probably one of the best Raw main events I’ve ever seen at that point.
Eric Bischoff added the stipulation that if Kane loses the match, he would have to remove his mask on live TV.
I felt like that should’ve been a Pay-Per-View stipulation. Although Raw is their main show, it just didn’t feel right that it would happen that fast. Sure, his Tag Team partner Rob Van Dam was in the ring with his, almost encouraging him to own up to his word, it just felt too fast.
Sure, after the unmasking we got an even more insane Kane and to his credit, it was probably the best Kane we’ve ever had.
Hollywood Rock
This was one of the storylines I enjoyed so much that I still watch his promos on Youtube or on Peacock. It was such a joy seeing The Rock being this cocky asshole from Hollywood, who thinks he’s better than you, who thinks the world revolves around him. He did so organically.
He made fun of his own wrestling career after becoming a movie star.
This face turn worked perfectly for The Rock. We all ate it up.
But, it moved too fast. It only lasted for about one year and it was all because they used it to promote The Rock Vs Stone Cold at Wrestlemania 19. Which by the way is one of the greatest Wrestlemania matches you will ever see.
Once that match was done, that’s it. Hollywood Rock basically died. He of course had to return to Hollywood and film more movies. He did eventually come back but his Hollywood gimmick was gone.
It’s sad to see the potential go. Who knows how fair they would’ve taken this storyline. Hell, we might’ve even gotten Hollywood actors in on the fun and would send videos of them talking about how The Rock “is hard to work with” making his the best heel ever.
ECW Invasion 1997
We all know about ECW. They brought extreme wrestling to the forefront and gave us some of the craziest moments ever. ECW wasn’t the richest wrestling promotion out there, so they needed a backer. WWE stepped in and financially backed up ECW.
What was the catch? ECW needed to be seen on Monday Night Raw.
In 1997 episode of Raw. We saw ECW personnels start filling up the front row. We see Sandman, Tommy Dreamer, and even Paul Heyman. They sat and watched the WWE stars perform. The look on their faces told us that they weren’t impressed, maybe they were even a little bored.
This invasion helped blur the lines between fact and fiction.
We didn’t know why they were there. The Internet was in its infancy so we couldn’t be warned that it was a “spot”. Everyone involved made it seem so real.
This had a the makings of a long-term storytelling in WWE. Probably better than the 2001 version.
Jerry Lawler made it more believable because he actually thought ECW was crap wrestling. He hated the idea of these “outsiders” coming into the company to show off blood and no talent. His slogan for ECW still roams my mind “Extreme Crap Wrestling”.
To be fair, the Attitude Era didn’t even begin at that time. So if they were to let this storyline flow for a few more months, we could’ve gotten something that are only told in myths.
Who Ran Over Stone Cold
At Survivor Series 1999, Stone Cold was in the parking lot walking, when a car came out of nowhere and ran over Stone Cold. This was an angle to allow Stone Cold to actually be written off television so he could recover from his neck injury.
It was a very quick glimpse of the storyline. It took a few months for Stone Cold to come back and resume the storyline. The irony is that they decided to resume the storyline in the same arena that happened one year prior. Which to me is good momory.
It didn’t take too long to find out who did it.
Took maybe THREE weeks to finally see that Rikishi was the one behind the wheel.
They then added another twist to the story. We find out that Triple H was the one who sent Rikishi to do it.
The storyline felt too rushed. Like they wanted to get to the point in a matter of a week just to move along and make Stone Cold champion again.
This could’ve served as a mystery storyline. Everybody was a suspect and Stone Cold was gonna raise a can of whoop-ass to find out who did. They could have him interrogate people at the airport, hotels, cars, grocery stores, etc. So many scenarios that could’ve been played out.
Maybe make the storyline run for a whole year?
To me it felt like it was going to lead up to something BIG, but in the end it was just your basic “I need him gone” type of Law And Order one episode story.
Shawn Michael’s Heel Turn
Shawn Michaels in the Attitude Era was the most ignorant, annoying, in your face, type of guy. He oozed out cockiness like his life depended on it. Which only made him greater.
He had a reason for being who he was. The man was such an amazing performing that it just made sense. He never disappointed you. He gave it his all and it showed.
Shawn had the most punchable face in 90's…due to his antics.
He soon found god and became a religious man. Which of course is good for him. He found a new life and he’s still with us today because of that change.
Shawn left WWE in 1998 due to a back injury. He returned to in-ring performance in 2002. He was a babyface all the way till 2005. When he Sweet-Chin music Hulk Hogan. Which was a totally surprise!
His heel turn was only for a few weeks that lead to the infamous “Icon Vs Legend” match at Summerslam. Famously so, Shawn Michaels over sold all of Hulk Hogans bumps and made the match into one comedy bit.
WWE missed an opportunity to make Shawn an ego maniac again. Maybe after Summerslam he could’ve gone on a winning binge and allowed himself to show us that he’s the best and that we shouldn’t have forgotten how could he was.
Although I think it was his choice to kinda not bring back the old Shawn Michaels because it might’ve become a bit too addictive to him. So, if that was the case, then I do understand why they didn’t go that route.
Still would’ve been AMAZING to see the ego-maniac Shawn make one final appearance.
