WWE has shown improvement in the weeks leading up to Crown Jewel, despite growing discontent with its weekly product and premium live events.
It hasn’t been a complete turnaround, as 2025 has been the worst year since Triple H took the helm as head of creative. Although his promotion initially led to optimism among the fanbase, there has been a notable emphasis on viral moments and celebrity appearances over rewarding conclusions to well-executed angles.
Fans have taken notice and voiced their complaints on social media, where “#FireTripleH” recently became a trending topic. In response, WWE has attempted to reassure viewers that its leadership is listening by giving them John Cena vs. AJ Styles and changing its creative staff.
It’s telling that management is aware that its audience is souring on its weekly programming. SmackDown is the worst offender of the two main shows, and its plummeting viewership has reflected this disinterest.
However, Raw has at least helped the company to break out of its recent creative lull after an unimpressive showing at Wrestlepalooza. The flagship series has delivered more of the engaging long-term stories that boosted interest in pro wrestling in
Something Old And Something New
Iyo Sky has emerged as one of the best wrestlers on the roster this year, but her fractured relationship with Asuka and Kairi has been a refreshing change of pace. In just a few weeks, it has produced the storytelling and character development that her most recent women’s world championship reign lacked.
Even more, it effectively used her time with Damage Ctrl and her history with The Empress of Tomorrow in Japan to bolster her transition into a fan favorite. Sky achieved one of the biggest wins of her career at WrestleMania 42 without her friends and gained recognition as a champion that she didn’t have after her 2023 Money in the Bank cash-in.
Meanwhile, Asuka grew jealous of her success while she was away, and their competitive tension came to a head when her former mentee rejected her help. The Japanese star couldn’t accept that her longtime friend and ally wanted to win on her own merits now, or that she seemingly surpassed her in her absence.
Poor Kairi has been stuck in the middle as a loyal friend, hoping to keep her found family together. As a result, the build to Sky and Rhea Ripley vs. The Kabuki Warriors has become the best ongoing storyline for the past few weeks.
Similarly, Raw has used Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins’ continuity to revitalize the champion vs. champion concept and create a fitting third chapter in their rivalry. The video packages retelling their history together have been excellent, and the ensuing in-ring segments have been even better.
Honestly, Rollins desperately needed a new opponent after months of feuding with CM Punk and repetitive beatdown angles to prolong his inevitable showdown with Roman Reigns. Rhodes was the perfect option because they have such great chemistry, and this encounter helped to solidify his motives for aligning with Paul Heyman and forming The Vision.
To that end, his initial heel turn was superb, but this act has grown a bit stale, and his message has been unclear most weeks. This feud refocused The Visionary and allowed his consistent character work to stand out again.
Deep down, the 39-year-old has grown to respect The American Nightmare, and he helped him finish his story last year because it was the right thing to do. However, his ambition, his need to be the top guy and true leader this company needs, has put them at odds again.
Rollins keeps staring at the Rolex Rhodes gifted him because he is conflicted. He sacrificed everything to help him dethrone Reigns, but in the process, he had to humble himself and admit he couldn’t be the one to do it. That watch symbolizes his growth as a friend and a leader, but he couldn’t bring himself to wear it because he knows it will never be enough for him.
He doesn’t want a second-place trophy; he wants the respect and position that still elude him. More to the point, this is exactly what Punk warned Rhodes about back in January. The WWE title paints a big target on his back, and his friends and allies will continue to come for his spot.
Roman Reigns’ Heir Apparent
Conversely, Reigns has continued to mentor Jey Uso, creating a rift with his tag team partner. Many viewers may have had their fill of The Bloodline saga, but this has actually been a nice follow-up to Main Event Jey’s foray into the world title picture.
On the surface, The Tribal Chief is right to advise his cousin to look out for himself, but he’s also creating some of his same bad habits. Additionally, it’s hard to determine his true intentions because he has manipulated his family so much.
It seems like he’s corrupting Uso and diminishing the path he carved on his own. Even worse, he could be just using his former right-hand man to take out LA Knight and Punk so that he can challenge Rollins himself.
The fact that we don’t know what Reigns is actually planning makes this plot so intriguing, and it’s a testament to the depth he has created with this character. This is also possibly the most interesting he has been in months.
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