WWE Smackdown scheduled on June 23, 2023, subject to last moment changes in the script led to frustration among WWE Superstars. Let’s discuss the WWE SmackDown changes made. As per the reports of Fightful Select, there was Backstage exasperation due to the last-minute rewrites made by Vince McMahon.
@WRKDWrestling on Twitter reported that Vince McMahon was heavily involved in the rewrites of the latest SmackDown episode, causing frustration among WWE stars. As per the WWE News, it was announced a three-way match between LA Knight, Butch, and Santos Escobar. Later, being changed to a one-on-one between LA and Rey Mysterio. Charlotte Flair’s match against Lacey Evans was also added last minute. The latest WWE News shares that these end-moment updates have left the WWE Universe in frustration.
One backstage worker even joked, “Did SmackDown just get Vinced?”. Despite the changes, the decision to switch to a singles match between Knight and Mysterio was an improvement. LA’s win gave him momentum leading up to the Money In The Bank pay-per-view.
However, it is not strange as Vince has been blowing in always to make last-minute changes. He has earlier done the same with RAW and also is looking forward to playing with SmackDown’s rewrites. WWE SmackDown changes have left Superstars in frustration.
Vince McMahon’s high-stakes decisions are some of the reasons for WWE Superstars’ agitation and Show of the Bar. Undoubtedly, On the heels of ownership, he steps over creatives.
Controversial decisions made by Vince McMahon
Opting Business over Safety
Despite the Covid-19 situation, WWE did not cancel any of its major shows and continued to air Raw and SmackDown weekly. Although fans criticized Vince McMahon for being selfish, it did not affect the company’s profits. However, it was debatable whether WWE was truly an essential business that couldn’t shut down operations like many other major companies did.
Shaking hands with Saudi Arabia
WWE’s partnership with Saudi Arabia brought significant financial gains but also came with a multitude of controversies. In 2018, despite some top stars refusing to perform, WWE went ahead with their plans for the Greatest Royal Rumble. The situation was further heated in 2019 due to travel delays, yet WWE still returned to Saudi Arabia that year. Currently, WWE has plans for more shows in Saudi Arabia this year.
Releasing CM Punk on his special day
CM Punk’s firing had a significant impact on the wrestling world. He was a dominant force in WWE from 2011-12, but his backstage problems with the McMahon family led to his termination. The company fired CM Punk on his wedding day in 2014, which upset him greatly. Fans criticized WWE for letting go of such a huge wrestler, and some believed that Vince should have resolved the issues with Punk instead of terminating his contract.
Fiend’s Burials
The Fiend was a top gimmick in recent years, but WWE’s booking failed him multiple times. At Hell in a Cell 2019, Wyatt didn’t win the title, and he lost to Goldberg in Saudi Arabia. These were poor decisions.
Undertaker WrestleMania Streak ends
The Undertaker’s streak at WrestleMania was a significant part of his legacy in WWE, and many fans believe that it helped Brock Lesnar become the star he is today. However, there are also those who believe that The Streak should never have been broken. Despite the controversy surrounding Lesnar’s victory over Undertaker at WrestleMania XXX, it ultimately helped WWE. In the long run, it gave Lesnar more credibility and made him a more serious competitor in the eyes of fans. While some may still dislike Vince’s decision to end The Streak.
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