Rate the last 5 years of the WWE

[Guest J0bber]

While 2001 and 2002 are highly regarded as poor quality years for wrestling, they have changed the business and paved the way for the current modern era. Sorry for the long rant.

 

2001 was the beginning of the end in terms of wrestling being at its peak of popularity. Wrestling was already on a decline already from late 2000 with the failed Rikishi heel turn crap. McMahon kills his competition by buying WCW and basically running ECW out of business. The biggest card of the year, Wrestlemania X7 a great show, but the shows after it proved to be less impactful. Backlash and Judgment Day were just meaningless shows overall with Taker and Kane feuding with Austin and HHH and very little happening. These months were the first time in a while that the WWF didn't have The Rock in its main events, and the overall product suffered. WWF loses one of its key players when Triple H tears his quad. The month of June sees an increase in wrestling and storylines as Jericho and Benoit are put into the main event at King of The Ring. WWF loses yet another key player when Benoit injures his neck. The "invasion" was booked decent for the first month or so but then it just became crazy with WWF guys who were never even related to WCW like Angle jumping shift to the Alliance. The only decent thing that came out of the Invasion was the Austin/Angle feud. Also, the new acquired roster from the Invasion would be very impactful on the decision to have a brand extension the next year. The year ends on a high note with Jericho becoming the undisputed champion by beating Austin and Rock in one night. Good start to his title reign, but in the coming year, he would be made to look silly. Overall, the tumultuous year that was 2001 set the stage for a transitional roster split year in 2002. This was a year full of uncertainty and 2002 wouldn't be much different.

 

 

2002 was a transitional year for the WWE. Just as a rookie quarterback starts off in the NFL with many mishaps, the WWE's new brand extension showed its young age. This year also began the trend of WWE bringing back older superstars and old gimmicks were rehashed. Mr. Perfect, Goldust, Hulk Hogan, and the nWo were brought in. Nostalgia was the story of the first six months of 2002 for the WWF/E. This type of booking still happens sometimes today. In one of the most relevant moves of the year, the WWF had to change its name to WWE. Much like in 2001, WWE lost yet another one of its key players in 2002 in Stone Cold. The introduction of the show Confidential was the final nail in kayfabe's coffin. The plane ride from hell in May fully showed the uncertain and hectic state the WWE was in at the time. The second half of 2002 was a lot different than the first. Nostalgia acts like Hogan and the nWo were phased out. The Rock left for yet another acting hiatus. Newcomers like Brock and RVD found their way into the main events. Each brand now had its own respected title. Shawn Michaels returned to the ring. Rey Mysterio was signed. Eric Bischoff shocked the World by becoming General Manager of Raw. Controversial gimmicks like HLA, Katie Vick, and Billy and Chuck were booked in a last ditch effort to make up for a decline in ratings. Long time upper mid-carders Big Show and Undertaker were reinserted into the main event. Shock booking was the trend in the final months of 2002. At Survivor Series, all titles changed. Both major titles would change again in the final month of the year at Armageddon. With the WWE's top titles on reliable guys like Kurt Angle and Triple H, a glimmer of hope was made for WWE to be better in 2003.

[Gary Floyd 0]

2004,2005,2003,2001,2002