The road to WrestleMania, traditionally a period of escalating excitement for professional wrestling fans, feels…different this year. A sense of weariness, even for long-time viewers, is palpable. After Monday night’s “Raw,” the feeling isn’t just a fleeting disappointment; it’s a concern that the WWE is coasting toward its biggest event of the year, relying on familiar tropes and stretched-out storylines rather than building genuine momentum. The current state of affairs, particularly regarding key storylines, leaves many wondering if the “Grandaddy of Them All” will deliver on its promise.
For decades, WrestleMania has represented a peak – a culmination of months of build-up, dramatic twists, and compelling character development. But the current approach feels less like a carefully constructed ascent and more like a prolonged holding pattern. This isn’t about demanding constant spectacle; it’s about the need for narratives that feel fresh, engaging, and worthy of the WrestleMania stage. The current booking choices, as evidenced on “Raw,” suggest a reliance on repetition over innovation, and that’s a worrying sign for the weeks ahead. The core issue isn’t necessarily the talent involved, but how that talent is being utilized in the lead-up to April 18.
Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi: A Familiar Formula
The budding rivalry between Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi has shown promise, particularly in showcasing Femi as a formidable challenger. But, the predictable structure of their confrontations is already becoming tiresome. Even as seeing Lesnar, a long-time dominant force in WWE, take a beating is a welcome change, the formula of Paul Heyman delivering verbose pronouncements followed by a physical altercation feels increasingly stale. Heyman, Lesnar’s advocate, is a master of the promo, but his extended segments are eating into valuable time that could be used to develop other storylines.
The expectation is that Femi will ultimately prevail, establishing himself as a legitimate threat. But the three weeks remaining before WrestleMania are likely to be filled with variations on the same theme. A potential shift – perhaps allowing Femi to speak directly to the audience – could inject some much-needed energy into the feud, but even that feels unlikely to fundamentally alter the trajectory. The dynamic is reminiscent of past Lesnar feuds, relying heavily on his established persona and physical dominance, rather than building a truly compelling narrative.
The Rollins Saga: Masked Men and Mounting Frustration
The storyline involving Seth Rollins and the mysterious masked men, triggered by his arrest on “Raw,” is another example of the WWE leaning into familiar territory. The image of hooded figures lurking in the shadows, orchestrated by Paul Heyman, evokes past angles and lacks a sense of originality. The absence of the masked men during Rollins’ appearance on “Raw” only served to highlight the contrived nature of the plot.
The hope, as some fans speculate, is that this storyline will lead to the return of Bron Breakker, a rising star in the WWE’s developmental system, NXT. Breakker’s potential is undeniable, and his involvement could certainly inject some much-needed excitement. However, relying on a potential return to salvage a flagging storyline feels like a reactive measure rather than a proactive creative decision. The current iteration feels more like a stalling tactic than a compelling narrative.
A Women’s Championship Match Lost in the Shuffle
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of the current WrestleMania build is the lack of attention given to the Women’s World Championship match between Stephanie Vaquer and Liv Morgan. Despite both competitors being established stars, the feud feels like an afterthought. The repeated backstage brawls, including an incident where Vaquer attacked Morgan on stage alongside Dominik Mysterio, are becoming repetitive and fail to elevate the stakes.
The core issue isn’t the physicality of the encounters, but the lack of substantive storytelling. The two competitors have seemingly exhausted their verbal exchanges, leaving them reliant on physical confrontations to maintain a semblance of conflict. A compelling championship storyline requires more than just aggression; it needs emotional investment, clear motivations, and a sense of genuine rivalry. The current approach risks diminishing the importance of the Women’s World Championship and undermining the talent of both Vaquer and Morgan.
The WWE Women’s division has consistently delivered compelling storylines and matches in recent years, and the current handling of this championship feud feels like a step backward.
Roman Reigns and CM Punk: A Main Event in Need of a Spark
The ongoing storyline between Roman Reigns and CM Punk, with Jey Uso caught in the middle, has been a focal point of “Raw” in recent weeks. However, the segments have lacked the intensity and drama expected of a main event feud heading into WrestleMania. While the involvement of Jey Uso adds a layer of complexity, the overall narrative feels sluggish and predictable.
The challenge lies in overcoming the perceived disconnect between Reigns and Punk, and in building a compelling reason for their rivalry. The segments have relied heavily on verbal exchanges and posturing, without a clear escalation of stakes. The fact that some fans express a general disinterest in CM Punk’s presence further complicates matters. Sportskeeda reports on fan sentiment regarding Punk’s return, highlighting a mixed reception.
The next three weeks represent a critical opportunity to revitalize this storyline. A significant development – perhaps a shocking betrayal or a dramatic confrontation – is needed to capture the attention of the audience and elevate the stakes. Without a compelling shift in direction, the Reigns-Punk match risks feeling like a missed opportunity.
The current state of WWE programming feels less like a carefully orchestrated build to WrestleMania and more like a holding pattern. While the talent is undoubtedly capable of delivering a memorable event, the current creative direction leaves much to be desired. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether WrestleMania can live up to its potential or will be remembered as a disappointing chapter in WWE history.
Fans can expect further developments in these storylines on upcoming episodes of “Raw” and “SmackDown.” Official updates and match details will be available on the WWE’s website: wwe.com. What are your thoughts on the current state of WWE? Share your opinions in the comments below and join the conversation.
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