WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray has voiced strong criticism toward both WWE and AEW for their current strategy of stacking multiple championship titles on their respective rosters. According to Ray, the proliferation of belts in these promotions is a serious booking error that risks undermining the value and impact of the championships[1].
The Growing Number of Titles: A Shared Industry Problem
Bully Ray’s critique centers on what he perceives as an inflation of championship gold within both WWE and AEW. He points out that having too many titles dilutes the importance of each belt and confuses fans, potentially lowering overall storyline quality. With WWE featuring numerous titles across Raw, SmackDown, and NXT brands, and AEW expanding its belts especially in its tag team and women’s divisions, Ray argues that the over-saturation is a misstep.
He stated in a recent interview on Busted Open Radio that promotions sometimes prioritize quantity over meaningful storytelling, leading to title reigns that feel less prestigious and consequential[1][2]. “When everything is a title, nothing really matters,” Ray remarked, highlighting the risk that every championship chases spotlight at the expense of genuine feud development.
How Dilution Impacts Fans and Wrestlers Alike
Championship titles are traditionally viewed as markers of status and significance in professional wrestling. Ray’s perspective highlights a concern among fans and industry insiders alike: if too many wrestlers hold some form of title at the same time, it reduces the perception of those titles as symbols of excellence or achievement. This can also breed confusion about which title is truly the “top” championship to follow.
In backstage conversations, a WWE creative team source confirmed that there are ongoing debates about how to recalibrate their championship landscape. “We’re aware of the balancing act,” the insider said. “It’s a challenge to keep titles meaningful without overextending the roster or cluttering storylines.”
Similarly, AEW insiders have shared that while belt expansions—such as the recent creation of new tag team or women’s titles—were meant to spotlight more talent, the feedback from some creative minds stresses caution to avoid overexposure[1].
Bully Ray’s Take on AEW’s Booking Direction
Beyond titles, Bully Ray has also criticized AEW’s broader creative direction. He called out AEW for what he describes as a “lost product,” citing ongoing convoluted feuds and underwhelming conclusions to high-profile rivalries[3]. For example, he mentioned the extended Death Riders vs. Darby Allin storyline, implying AEW struggles to refresh its narrative momentum[2].
This sentiment intersects with his championship critique—too many storylines overlap with too many titles, muddling the audience’s focus and weakening long-term investment.
Industry Reactions and Fan Perspectives
Bully Ray’s comments have drawn mixed reactions. While some fans and experts agree that both WWE and AEW need to streamline titles and focus on fewer, stronger storylines to add real weight back to their championships, others argue that more belts create opportunities for talent elevation and varied storytelling.
AEW star MJF notably dismissed some of Ray’s harsh critiques on social media, defending the promotion’s approach to titles and creative strategies[5]. Still, the discussion points to a larger wrestling industry debate about how best to balance talent showcase and championship prestige in the era of increasingly large rosters.
The Path Forward: Simplifying to Strengthen?
Sources close to Cody Rhodes, AEW’s Executive Vice President, hint that there may already be plans behind the scenes to re-evaluate the number and positioning of AEW’s titles to strengthen storytelling cohesion in upcoming pay-per-views and weekly shows. According to these insiders, “The goal is to make each championship feel like a true prize again, not just a prop for matches”[1].
In WWE, conversations are ongoing about how to better unify or redefine secondary titles and brand-specific belts to create clearer pecking orders and elevate undisputed champions. One WWE insider commented, “Fans want to know who truly stands at the top, and right now, too many belts make that murky.”
Conclusion
Bully Ray’s frank assessment sheds light on a critical booking challenge both WWE and AEW currently face: finding the right balance between elevating talent and maintaining the sanctity and excitement of championship gold. As the competition between the two companies intensifies, trimming the excess and focusing on impactful, well-crafted title stories might prove the key to recapturing fan enthusiasm and preserving the legacy of their respective championships.
For now, wrestling fans and industry watchers will be closely watching how both WWE and AEW respond to these challenges behind the scenes in the coming months.