3 signs WWE is stuck in the past and 2 ways it’s looking to the future

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The wrestling industry is always evolving, like with the formation of AEW in 2019. The next three signs show that WWE is stuck in the past, while two others signal a look to the future.

#5. Constantly rehashing past angles like the Bloodline

WWE loves to rehash feuds and past storylines. When done correctly, it can be entertaining, especially if different wrinkles are added, or a star has drastically changed.

The problem with the current Bloodline storyline is that the group was never apart for longer than a few months. Jey Uso moved to RAW after WrestleMania 40, but the family came back together for WarGames.

Roman Reigns wasn’t the champion at the time, but Jimmy and Jey followed his lead. With Roman holding the World Heavyweight Title, it’s back to how things were from 2020 to 2024 – he calls the play, and they blindly follow it.

Had the Usos turned on Roman, or Jacob Fatu become the new Tribal Chief, rehashing it would make sense. Solo Sikoa is going to fall at his feet again as well.

Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair have squared off a few times in the past. It looked like they’d do so again at SummerSlam until Ripley’s injury issue. If the roster was barren, it’d make sense.

But with Lyra Valkyria, Roxanne Perez, IYO SKY, Alexa Bliss, Tiffany Stratton, AJ Lee, Stephanie Vaquer, and others on the roster, WWE shouldn’t go back to it nearly every year.

#4. Looking to the future by truly embracing the ‘World’ in WWE

Until the last decade, WWE primarily held all of the major PLEs in the United States of America. There would be a few live event tours overseas.

WrestleMania, the Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam always took place in the States. WWE has had major PLEs in London (Money in the Bank), Italy (Clash in Italy), Australia (Crown Jewel), and Saudi Arabia (the Royal Rumble, 2026) in the last six years.

These moves are calculated to make more money by expanding to international markets, but truly display a global approach. International episodes of RAW and SmackDown also give international stars a chance to compete in front of their home country.

#3. The older guard keeps winning the men’s Royal Rumble

The biggest way a WWE Superstar can earn a marquee match at WrestleMania is to win the Royal Rumble. When it comes to male performers, officials haven’t taken many chances lately on the younger generation.

The last winner who was under 35 was Seth Rollins (34) in 2019. Drew McIntyre was 35 in 2020, while Edge (2021) and Brock Lesnar (2022) won the following years.

Every winner after has also been closer to 40 than 30 (Cody Rhodes won in 2023/2024). Always picking stars closer to 40 shows an unwillingness to bet on the future. Imagine if Bron Breakker won this year instead of Roman Reigns.

#2. Selectively pushing certain newcomers

Every so often, WWE promotes a class of stars over the course of a few months. Last year saw Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer, and Lash Legend make an impact.

This past December and January, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, and Oba Femi made the jump to the main roster. All three were heavily pushed in NXT, with Williams and Femi winning the NXT Championship.

Those pushes have remained on the main roster as Femi destroyed Brock Lesnar and Williams is the current United States Champ. Evans was in the Elimination Chamber, Intercontinental Title Ladder Match, and semifinals of King of the Ring.

For the women, Sol Ruca won a title in her first month on RAW. She previously lost to Morgan and SKY before getting a shot without a victory. WWE is pushing these names as the future, even with Ricky Saints, Joe Hendry, and Ethan Page joining RAW and SmackDown.

#1. Sticking with the same old guard as champions

Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes will main-event every WrestleMania until one of them retires. Roman held a title from 2020-2024, losing it to Rhodes. Rhodes has held the WWE Championship three times but just lost it to Sami Zayn.

Only Gunther, Jey Uso, Zayn, and Damian Priest were new male stars to win major gold since 2024. Both Rhea Ripley and Tiffany Stratton are currently champions. Stratton held gold for most of 2025. Ripley is a four-time champion.

Liv Morgan held gold more than once in the last three years. While Trick Williams, Sol Ruca, and Penta are newer faces who’ve won titles, it’s only midcard gold. Jade Cargill won singles gold last year.

Seth Rollins, CM Punk, John Cena, and Drew McIntyre were the other top stars to represent RAW and SmackDown as major champions. All held major gold in the past.

WWE had a real chance to do something new and exciting by having Jacob Fatu beat Roman Reigns. Instead, he was the latest star buried by The Head of the Table.

The stars who held major titles in the last six years are indeed among the top names in the industry, but it cannot move forward if those same names are always holding titles. Will Sami Zayn drop the title back to Cody for SummerSlam?