{"id":106498,"date":"2021-12-22T11:00:09","date_gmt":"2021-12-22T16:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=106498"},"modified":"2021-12-21T20:06:20","modified_gmt":"2021-12-22T01:06:20","slug":"wwe-new-years-redemption-superstars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2021\/12\/22\/wwe-new-years-redemption-superstars\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE New Year\u2019s Redemption: Which Superstars Are in Need?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Uncertainty, abrupt changes of plans, and skeleton crews trying to keep the proverbial ship afloat have become the norm in a world grappling with the ongoing challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic. All of these dynamics have impacted the world of sports entertainment, as it has other facets of life. In 2021, World Wrestling Entertainment<\/strong> gradually transitioned out of its ThunderDome facility back to touring and performing in front of live crowds. It was hoped that the reactions of live audiences would lead to feedback incorporated into WWE\u2019s storylines, rather than the singular vision that had reigned over the ThunderDome, especially Monday Night Raw<\/strong>.<\/em> This brings us to the topic of WWE New Year’s redemption.<\/p>\n

While it remains to be seen if that is the case, it is hoped that in 2022 some of WWE\u2019s \u201cSuperstars\u201d whose booking seemed to lose the plot can recover, and reach something close to their careers\u2019 past heights. Those in need of some WWE New Year\u2019s redemption are…<\/p>\n

WWE New Year’s Redemption: The Superstars to Know<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Drew<\/p>\n

Drew McIntyre<\/strong><\/h3>\n

After being released by WWE in 2014, Drew McIntyre <\/strong>hit the ground running to rebuild his profile in the pro wrestling industry, becoming a strong presence on the global independent scene. He returned to WWE on its developmental brand, NXT<\/strong>, <\/em>in 2017. McIntyre achieved the NXT Championship and was then drafted to Raw. His heel run was well-received but ended with a 2020 face turn and feud with Brock Lesnar.<\/strong> McIntyre came full circle, the promise of his earlier prominence during his first WWE run was fulfilled when he won the WWE Championship from Lesnar at WrestleM<\/em><\/strong>ania 36<\/strong>. <\/em>McIntyre\u2019s two WWE Championship runs made him a dominant presence during WWE\u2019s pandemic era. Emulating his childhood hero Bret Hart, <\/strong>McIntyre became a reliable bout machine whose energy never seemed to flag despite the crowdless atmosphere of the ThunderDome. As WWE\u2019s time in its bubble began to wind down, however, McIntyre\u2019s character regrettably transitioned from an inspirational figure whose promos drew on McIntyre\u2019s journey back to WWE after being released, to a caricature telling meandering yarns about the Loch Ness monster.<\/p>\n

McIntyre was drafted to Friday Night SmackDown<\/strong> during WWE\u2019s autumn draft and, since joining its roster, has mixed it up with Ricochet <\/strong>and frequent adversary Sheamus.<\/strong> His nascent tag team paired alongside Jeff Hardy<\/strong> is now dead in the water after Hardy\u2019s recent release. However, no SmackDown storyline featuring McIntyre has tapped into his varied talents: he can be a frank, no-nonsense, relatable babyface who delivers match after match in an athletically credible and engaging style or a convincingly menacing and violent heel. McIntyre\u2019s appearances outside WWE, such as at summer 2021\u2019s Global Citizen Festival, have proven him a credible ambassador for the company outside the ring. In 2022, McIntyre could use a shedding of his \u201cScottish Warrior\u201d persona and its trappings of kilt and ancestral sword, and another back to basics reinvention. Since all roads on the \u201cblue brand\u201d lead back to The Bloodline, <\/strong>a reprisal of McIntyre vs. Roman Reigns <\/strong>could be his ticket to WWE New Year’s redemption.<\/p>\n

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