Levin: Bray Wyatt Deserves the Title

When is WWE, specifically the SmackDown Live brand, going to finally do the right thing and put the title on Bray Wyatt?

I used to think Dolph Ziggler and Alberto Del Rio were the company’s most underused performers, but now I am convinced the Eater of Worlds is slowly dying in a promotion that should have already taken advantage of his immense talent by making him the ring leader of the blue brand.

WWE did the right thing in bringing AJ Styles to the main roster–his matches and promos have provided a spark for the company. His heel turn is one of the single biggest stories of 2016. But in the process of Styles moving over to the big top and WWE making changes to the roster with NXT call-ups and the signings of Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson and Shinsuke Nakamura, Wyatt has been left to twist in the wind.

The man who never needed a title around his waist is now missing something to give him a true identity. For lack of vocabulary (this was written at 2 a.m.), this sucks. Wyatt deserves so much more and is getting so much less.

The one thing Wyatt has that no other superstar has is a backstory. He is the leader in the clubhouse to replace The Undertaker as the next tortured, cryptic soul. His shtick, much like the Dead Man’s, doesn’t get old. And when all is said and done, he gets over by making other superstars look good. John Cena, Chris Jericho, Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, ‘Taker – shall I continue?

Rick Ballou, a fellow sports colleague, and I have talked repeatedly about how WWE doesn’t have heels that are “heels” in every sense of the word. Wyatt is the closest to a sure thing. He is Kevin Sullivan and Raven rolled into a frenzied package. If WWE is serious about turning the page on a new and creative world, make Wyatt the centerpiece–not a supporting cast member.

My biggest critique of professional wrestling is the elimination of backstory and creativity. I miss the days of the 1980s and early 1990s. Watch Kevin Sullivan in Florida, Raven in ECW. Heck, take a look at the development of “Stunning” Steve Austin in WCW to the Texas Rattlesnake in WWE. Look at Kane’s first appearance in the WWF. Remember how Ultimate Warrior summoned the gods to help him keep us wanting more? Wyatt does that with his cult-like following.

For everything that has worked with him (despite a few missteps and injuries), why isn’t the McMahon clan jumping on this? I thought ratings were the ultimate goal of this business. Wyatt is a highlight reel waiting to happen.

I suspect WWE has no idea what to do with Wyatt as the champion. It’s a sad position to be in for the third-generation wrestler. Until WWE takes that chance and puts him in the main event on the blue brand, we won’t know how truly great that role for him could be.

For now, Wyatt is the proven commodity that hasn’t been given his moment in the sun. If WWE waits too long, that bright star will start to wane. More so, another shot of greatness will be lost.