The WWE Conundrum: Lose Money, Lose Fans, or Lose Careers?

Back in early 2007, Mr. McMahon decided to go back to traditional, in-ring wrestling without most of the vulgarity, needless blood, garbage wrestling and high-spots (or stunts). This was proved by the brilliant Cena/Michaels rivalry on Raw early in the year which produced at least four excellent matches—until Michaels got injured.

Then there was the superbly hard-hitting Smackdown rivalry between the Undertaker, the champion, and Batista, the challenger, culminating in their terrific Last Man Standing match at the best PPV of the year, Backlash. This feud looked very promising—until the Undertaker got injured whilst still the champion.

There have been many scenarios similar to this during 2007: Triple H tore his quadricep before the Royal Rumble which he was booked to win. This prevented him from getting the main event slot at Wrestlemania against John Cena, like the previous year.

The previously unmentioned Mr. Kennedy got injured a couple of months after he won the 2007 Money in the Bank Match at Wrestlemania. The winner of the match is enabled a shot at either the WWE/World Heavyweight or ECW title, whichever one they please. He was therefore defeated by Edge on Raw for the shot, who moved to Smackdown to compensate for their weakened numbers by the loss of the Undertaker. Edge cashed in the belt against the Undertaker, who was legitimately injured, so the "Deadman's" promised long title run never materialised. Edge picked up the title and took on all comers—until, of course, he got injured.

Lashley was the ECW champion until he had to vacate the title to get a much-needed shoulder surgery. Benoit was scheduled to win the vacated ECW title—the night that he tragically murdered his wife and son, and later himself. This left ECW seriously short on quality numbers, and the top men at WWE had to make a decision to substitute Benoit for Johnny Nitro (now John Morrison)—a very talented but raw and untested option to take the title. Nitro was he first young star of no great stature to be pushed to main event, or at least title, status since Rey Mysterio.

Mysterio and Booker T were the only superstars to get injured at "good" times—if there is such a thing—as although both were involved in storylines, neither was seriously involved in their brand's title picture at the time.

And then there was the most recent and biggest injury loss to the WWE—that of long-time WWE champion Cena. He tore a muscle in his shoulder executing, of all things, a standard hip-toss on Mr. Kennedy just days before his last-man-standing title match against Randy Orton (who himself spent some time on the sidelines this year, through suspension.) It is not known whether Cena was scheduled to lose the title, but it sent WWE's plans for October PPV No Mercy into disarray. Cena has made great progress this year, and was a great champion, but this injury may be a blessing to mix up the championship rivalries a little bit, as they were going a bit stale.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?