Consistent Ring Work Is Key to Success of Bray Wyatt's Latest Push

When Bray Wyatt returned to WWE television at Hell in a Cell, interfering in the night's main event between Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins and thus setting up a rivalry with the Lunatic Fringe, it signaled the beginning of a renewed push for the Reaper of Souls.

Earlier this year, the bearded Wyatt Family leader appeared poised to become WWE's first breakout star in quite some time, courtesy of outstanding mic work that captivated audiences and video packages that featured top-notch production work. The character was incredible, and the amount of work put into it by a WWE Creative team typically criticized for lack of effort with other aspects of the show was quite impressive.

But Wyatt's ability to back all of the videos and promos up once the bell rang created very real questions about the consistency of his ring work.

Sure, there was the Match of the Year candidate against John Cena at Payback this past June and a wonderful series against The Shield, but for each of those matches, there is a wildly disappointing Steel Cage match against Cena or an underwhelming set of bouts against Chris Jericho.

Wyatt's most glaring weakness is the one thing that fellow young breakout stars Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins do not have, the one thing that makes them more reliable in the eyes of management: They can be counted on to deliver in the ring in big spots.

To this point in his young career, Wyatt has not demonstrated that same reliability. He has been very good at times, and at others, Wyatt has relied far too heavily on punches, kicks and his trademark spider walk.

Has direction by management and WWE Creative to really play up certain elements of his character hurt the flow and overall quality of matches on occasion? Absolutely. At the same time, it is up to Wyatt to find a way to balance the two to the point that it no longer hinders his work from bell to bell.

It will not be easy.

Credit: WWE.com

WWE Creative has introduced a darker, more sadistic and frightening side of Wyatt that may or may not lead to the revelation of Sister Abigail and the addition to the Wyatt mythos. Thus, the theatricality of Wyatt's matches is guaranteed to remain intact.

How the performer himself works that theatricality and the dictated angles into his work will be key to his long-term success.

The Undertaker was one of the most recognizable stars in the entire industry throughout the 1990s, thanks largely to the popularity that resulted from the presentation of his character. He was highly marketable and sold a boatload of merchandise, but the Deadman never really earned the respect of critics and smart marks until he successfully incorporated hints of his character throughout his in-ring work. 

It helped improve the quality of his matches while still staying true to everything fans had been told about the character in the 15 years prior.

That is the point Wyatt must get to if he wishes to achieve the greatness so many believe he is capable of, especially with the pedigree he possesses.

There are not many Superstars who benefit from a second chance to make an impression. If Wyatt cannot bring greater consistency to his ring performance, there is unlikely to be a third.