WWE’s recent Survivor Series: WarGames event has left many fans scratching their heads, and one of the biggest critics of the booking is none other than Hall of Famer Teddy Long. In the latest episode of Road Trip After Hours, Long and his co-host Mac Davis dissected the event, pointing out several moments that they felt didn’t quite add up.
A Misstep in Crowd Participation
One of the main points of contention was the crowd participation chant during the Men’s WarGames match, specifically involving Jey Uso. According to Long, the scene fell flat due to a lack of clear direction and a sense of disconnection from the rest of the match.
“The ‘YEET’ chant was a great idea, but it just didn’t feel organic,” Long said. “It felt like something that was forced upon the crowd, rather than something that naturally developed from the action in the ring. I think that’s a big part of why it didn’t really resonate with the audience.”
A Lack of Cohesive Storytelling
Long and Davis also criticized the overall storytelling of the event, feeling that it lacked a clear sense of cohesion and direction. According to Long, the WarGames match was supposed to be a showcase of the best of the best, but instead it felt like a jumbled mess of different storylines and characters.
“I think the problem is that the WarGames match was trying to do too much,” Long said. “It was trying to be a showcase for the best of the best, but at the same time, it was also trying to advance several different storylines and characters. I think that’s a tough thing to balance, and in this case, I don’t think they did it very well.”
A Missed Opportunity for the Men’s WarGames Match
The Men’s WarGames match was one of the main events of the evening, but according to Long and Davis, it felt like a missed opportunity. The match featured a star-studded lineup, including Jey Uso, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn, but it ultimately felt like a disjointed and confusing experience.
“I think the Men’s WarGames match was a big miss,” Long said. “It had the potential to be something really special, but it just didn’t come together. I think that’s a shame, because I think the guys involved in that match are all incredibly talented, and it would have been great to see them shine in a more cohesive and compelling way.”
Backstage Reaction to the WarGames Booking
According to sources close to Cody Rhodes, the WarGames match was a topic of discussion among the WWE roster in the days leading up to the event. While some wrestlers were excited about the opportunity to be a part of the match, others were more skeptical.
“I think there was a lot of confusion and uncertainty among the guys about what was going to happen in the WarGames match,” said a source close to Rhodes. “Some guys were really excited about it, but others were more skeptical. I think that’s a big part of why it didn’t really come together in the end.”
A Call to Action for WWE
Long and Davis’s criticism of the WarGames booking is just the latest in a long line of criticisms of WWE’s creative decisions. While the company has always made mistakes, Long feels that it’s time for a change.
“I think WWE needs to take a hard look at their creative process and figure out what’s not working,” Long said. “They need to be willing to make some tough decisions and take some risks in order to create something truly special. I think that’s what’s missing right now, and I hope that they can get back on track soon.”
In conclusion, Teddy Long’s criticism of the WWE WarGames booking is just the latest in a long line of criticisms of the company’s creative decisions. While the event had its moments, it ultimately felt like a disjointed and confusing experience. As the WWE looks to the future, it’s clear that they need to take a hard look at their creative process and make some tough decisions in order to create something truly special..