Just days ahead of WWE’s Night of Champions Premium Live Event in Saudi Arabia, former writer Vince Russo has delivered a fierce critique, calling out repetitive storytelling and specifically referencing Alexa Bliss among other stars. Russo’s comments add to ongoing debates about the creative direction of WWE, especially as high-stakes matches approach in Riyadh.
Russo Criticizes WWE’s Creative Progression
As WWE ramps up excitement for its upcoming events, Russo voiced strong dissatisfaction with the brand’s current narratives while appearing on a BroDown segment for Sportskeeda WrestleBinge. Comparing today’s programming with WWE’s storied Attitude Era, he argued the shows are failing to progress meaningfully. According to Russo, the lack of story movement is obvious across multiple ongoing rivalries, including those featuring Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, as well as Fatu and Solo, and Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton.
“This thing never builds. It’s the same thing every single week. We’ve been seeing Charlotte Flair and Alexa now for four weeks, we’ve been seeing Fatu and Solo now for eight weeks, we’ve been seeing Nia Jax and Tiffy Time now for six weeks. There’s no progression, guys you’ve got to progress these stories,”
—Vince Russo, former WWE writer
Claims of Repetitive House Show Format
Beyond stagnating rivalries, Russo took aim at WWE’s overall production approach. He claimed that, instead of offering fresh content, the company’s weekly televised events have begun to resemble glorified house shows. With WWE traveling to a new city each week, Russo argued that fans are presented with nearly identical shows intended for new audiences, rather than advancing ongoing stories.
“This is the same thing every single week. This is why we say, all the time guys, it’s a glorified house show. They’re in a different town every Monday and every Friday and they’re repeating the same show to a new audience,”
—Vince Russo, former WWE writer
High Stakes at Upcoming WWE Events
Despite these criticisms, WWE has a packed schedule ahead. The next episode of SmackDown in Riyadh will play a crucial role in determining who advances to the finals of the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments, where stars such as Randy Orton and Asuka are set to compete. The “go-home” show before Night of Champions promises multiple title matches, with the WWE Women’s, Women’s US, and Tag Team Championships all on the line. These developments bring significant anticipation for fans, even as questions continue regarding the current state of WWE’s storytelling.
Implications for WWE’s Storytelling Future
Vince Russo’s remarks, including those referencing Alexa Bliss, add fuel to discussions around WWE’s approach to weekly programming and long-term story development. As major events like Night of Champions reach a global audience from Saudi Arabia, the company faces increased scrutiny about creative decisions. The coming shows may influence how WWE addresses ongoing concerns about narrative progression and audience engagement.
