A Look at WWE’s Post-WrestleMania Storytelling Gaps

Raw kicked off strong after WrestleMania with a standout moment when Jacob Fatu crashed Roman Reigns’ celebration, demanding the same family success as the champion. Their Backlash match delivered, but the weeks that followed dragged. Fans got dragged through repetitive brawls, contract signings, and a messy "Tribal Combat" match that felt more like a messy street fight than a true spectacle. Reigns leaned on cheap tactics, like exposing a turnbuckle, to win—hardly the kind of storytelling that makes a rivalry feel fresh. Over on SmackDown, things got even messier. Cody Rhodes looked like a backup plan after WrestleMania, while Gunther wandered aimlessly without a clear goal. A potential rivalry with The American Nightmare fizzled fast. Instead of building something exciting, the show felt like an afterthought, especially after a forgettable finish at Clash in Italy. At least Sami Zayn’s turn to the dark side added some spark, but it’s unclear if WWE is ready to commit to pushing him as a top star.The midcard on Raw showed promise with a clear Intercontinental Championship race. Je’Von Evans, Rey Mysterio, and others brought energy, and Ethan Page’s recent matches proved he could headline a show if needed. SmackDown’s midcard, though, was a wasteland. Trick Williams won the U. S. Title but found himself stuck in a boring cycle with Carmelo Hayes and Ricky Santos. Names like Matt Cardona and Ilja Dragunov sit on the bench, either stuck in other roles or just… forgotten. Women’s wrestling took a step back, too. Liv Morgan’s title reign stalled after an injury to a rival, leaving her with little to do. Becky Lynch keeps delivering, but her feud with Sol Ruca is still baby steps. On SmackDown, Rhea Ripley held strong against Jade Cargill while teaming with Charlotte Flair, but the Women’s U. S. Title picture stayed confusing. Tiffany Stratton’s reign helped, but Giulia’s lack of direction hurt. The tag team scene scored a rare win with Brie Bella and Paige’s victory over Nia Jax, but where they go next is anyone’s guess. WWE’s struggles post-WrestleMania aren’t shocking—after years of elite booking, even a slight drop stands out. Vignettes and live event overload dilute long-term stories, and corporate interference (like pushing one-time angles) makes it harder to focus. Still, the product isn’t unwatchable. New stars like Trick Williams and Oba Femi are getting chances, keeping things somewhat fresh.