The Road to WrestleMania 2

WrestleMania is the biggest event of the year for WWE fans, and with WrestleMania 2 just around the corner, it's time to take a closer look at the current state of WWE, particularly WWE SmackDown and its top star, Roman Reigns. Let's break down the good, the bad, and the ugly of WWE heading into WrestleMania 2.

The Good

One of the biggest positives in WWE right now is the dominance of Roman Reigns. Since returning to WWE at SummerSlam 2020, Reigns has been on an incredible run as the top heel on SmackDown. His character work and in-ring performances have been outstanding, and he's helped make the Universal Championship feel like a major prize. Additionally, WWE has done a great job of building up other stars on SmackDown, such as Cesaro, who is set to challenge Reigns for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 2. The women's division on SmackDown is also strong, with Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks set to make history as the first Black women to compete in a WrestleMania main event.

The Bad

One of the biggest issues in WWE right now is the lack of depth on the roster. While SmackDown has a few stars who feel like legitimate main eventers, the rest of the roster can feel thin at times. WWE has also struggled with long-term storytelling, often rushing through angles and not allowing feuds to develop naturally. This has led to some fans feeling disconnected from the product, particularly during the pandemic era when crowds weren't present. Another issue is the over-reliance on part-time stars and legends, who often take up valuable TV time that could be used to build up the current roster.

The Ugly

One of the most concerning aspects of WWE right now is the company's handling of talent relations. Several high-profile stars, including former Universal Champion Bray Wyatt, have been released from the company in recent months, with rumors of budget cuts and creative differences being cited as reasons. Additionally, WWE's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has been questionable at times, with several outbreaks occurring among the roster and production staff. While WWE has taken steps to improve its COVID protocols, the situation remains a concern.

Overall, WWE is in an interesting place heading into WrestleMania 2. While there are certainly some issues that need to be addressed, there's also a lot of potential for the company to continue to grow and evolve. With stars like Roman Reigns leading the way, there's reason to be optimistic about the future of WWE.