The WWE creative team has faced intense scrutiny in recent months, and two prominent voices have added their opinions to the mix. WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long and former writer Vince Russo have expressed their disappointment and frustration with the company’s booking decisions, specifically regarding the talented but underutilized star, Elias.
Elias, who was released from the promotion in September 2023, was a fan favorite and had tremendous potential. In 2018, he won the WWE Breakout Superstar of the Year award, showcasing his impressive skills and charisma. However, despite his popularity, he never received a significant push from the creative team and failed to secure a major championship.
Teddy Long, appearing on The Wrestling Time Machine, voiced his frustration with the WWE’s creative decisions regarding Elias. Long questioned why the team didn’t do more to help Elias succeed, given his immense talent and fan appeal. This sentiment was echoed by Vince Russo, a former WWE writer, who appeared on The Wrestling Outlaws. Russo praised Elias’ abilities as a professional wrestler, stating that it would be easy for the creative team to get him over with fans.
Elias’ WWE run saw him portray multiple gimmicks, sharing the ring with top talent like Kevin Owens, AJ Styles, and Jeff Hardy. His release was met with widespread disappointment from fans, who felt that he deserved better than the lackluster storylines he was booked in.
Currently competing on the independent circuit, Elias’ future in professional wrestling remains uncertain. It is unclear whether he will be signed by a major promotion following his WWE departure. However, one thing is clear: the WWE creative team’s handling of his career has sparked widespread criticism from both insiders and fans.
As the WWE continues to face criticism for its booking decisions, the voices of Teddy Long and Vince Russo serve as a reminder that even the most talented performers can be held back by poor creative choices. As the company navigates its creative direction, one can only hope that they will take these critiques to heart and strive to do better by their talented roster of superstars.
