Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff are here to save WWE

WWE is shaking things up as they announced today Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff would become Executive Directors.

It’s no secret that the WWE product has been under some harsh criticism as of late. Inconsistencies, random changes, and poor storytelling have all been the basis for the backlash. With the announcement today of Heyman and Bischoff taking on major roles for the company it seems as though things might be headed in a different direction.

The positions are both full-time executive roles and will report directly to WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon.

Heyman will be overseeing the creative development of the weekly RAW programming which is an excellent choice considering his history in the business. He’s been a part of the pro wrestling industry since he was a teenager but probably his biggest contribution is developing the groundbreaking, smash-mouth style of ECW. Most recently he’s been an onscreen talent working as the advocate for Brock Lesnar. However, behind-the-scenes Heyman has been heavily involved with the character development of many WWE stars including Ronda Rousey.

Bringing in Bischoff to helm SmackDown Live is a valuable addition for the WWE brand. Bischoff was the man on the front lines during the infamous Monday Night Wars which brought WWE head-to-head with WCW. With Bischoff as president of WCW he took the fight to WWE and came close to bringing them to their knees. After WCW was eventually bought out, Bischoff came on board with WWE as a performer. With Bischoff’s experience running an entire brand it makes him an excellent candidate to oversee SmackDown Live as he will be hands-on with the executives from FOX, which begins airing SmackDown Live this October.

The WWE website cites these changes as “WWE’s ability to continuously reinvent its global brand while providing two distinct creative processes for its flagship shows.”

The company has never shied away from reinvention and now is the perfect time for them to take a step back and see what isn’t working. Perhaps the formation of AEW is what spurred on the change, or the deal with FOX could’ve been a catalyst. In any event, having two experienced, creative geniuses like Heyman and Bischoff at the helm could be the change needed to pull WWE’s ratings back up.