Having read the results of Fatal 4-Way earlier, I'm more convinced than ever that if WWE intends to continue with using the Fatal 4-Way concept for a PPV, changes need to be made.
Going into the weekend, only 5 matches were announced, with 2 added at the last minute, which speaks to the horrible pre-event planning by the much-maligned creative team. 3 of the 7 matches contested used the 4-way format long established in WWE, meaning that the first pinfall or submission would decide the match. In reality, that isn't the right way at all.
Ideally, a fatal 4-way, or even a triple threat, should be an elimination match to build maximum drama. Unfortunately, Vince McMahon doesn't see that, but he should.
All three 4-way matches ended in title changes last night. Virtually all three telegraph potential future storylines.
Start with newly crowned Divas champion Alicia Fox. The most improved diva over the last 18 months, at least in this writer's opinion, Fox became the first African-American woman since Jazz in 2003 to hold a women's title in WWE. There's no guarantee she might've succeeded had it been an elimination match, but it does give WWE some fresh blood atop the women's division on Raw. With Melina Perez due to come off the DL soon, Alicia needs to be given a chance to prove she isn't a transitional champion.
Sheamus, now a 2-time WWE champion, had the wheels taken off his 1st run when he dropped the title at Elimination Chamber in February. 4 months later, he takes advantage of the NXT rebellion to gain the measure of John Cena yet again. Like Alicia, Sheamus has to deal with a returning former champ down the road, in this case, his mentor, Triple H, who should be well rested after shooting back-to-back feature films for WWE's movie division. Cena, as well as Edge and Randy Orton, will have attention divided between the title and fending off the rebels.
Rey Mysterio, a World champion for the 2nd time, may be posited to face Kane at Money in the Bank next month. With rumors circulating that Kane may have actually been responsible for the storyline coma of the Undertaker, leading to another feud between the Brothers of Destruction, a feud WWE doesn't need right now, the reveal would have to come before the next PPV. You still have to figure CM Punk, Jack Swagger, and Big Show into the mix, but Kane does move to the forefront after last night.
Too many times this year, WWE has cut themselves short promoting PPV's, resulting in matches being added at the last minute. That practice should stop, but since the buck stops with Chairman/CEO Vince McMahon, who will be 65 in August, it won't. The internet complains about undeserving champions (i.e. Miz) and bad decisions that potentially could hurt the company (i.e. Daniel Bryan), but McMahon, who claims on the air that WWE does listen to its fans, is just the opposite, ignoring the wishes of the fan base in favor of satiating his own ego. Had the 3 4-way matches been elimination matches, you could've still had the extra bouts (Bourne-Jericho, Hart Dynasty-Usos/Tamina), but you'd have the drama of wondering who'd be the last man or woman standing. Last night, McMahon had angles to supply the drama in the WWE & World title matches, but you could've still had the elimination format in effect. As it was, Fatal 4-way ended 25 minutes early, at 10:35 (ET). If you have elimination matches, you're closer to the 11:00 finish line.
Which leaves us with one salient question. How is it possible that Vince McMahon and his creative staff can't grasp the simplest of solutions?
Next time: People who need to move to the back of the line.
