WWE’s Most Disappointing Storylines of 2026: From Liv Morgan’s Stagnant Reign to Danhausen’s Fading Gimmick

JD McDonagh secured a victory over Joe Hendry with a headbutt, concluding a feud built around head-size jokes and Funko Pops. While WWE officials may have found the angle amusing, the audience is eager for it to end. The year’s booking has been a turbulent ride—just ask Je’Von Evans, who appeared on Raw mere days after being thrown off a ladder through an announce table at Money in the Bank.

Before diving into the main list, a few dishonorable mentions: Kairi Sane’s departure amid the Iyo Sky and Asuka rivalry; a tag team division in disarray across both brands; and Big Cass’s underwhelming return.

Bron Breakker Doesn’t Fit WWE’s Vision

Bron Breakker was widely rumored to win the Royal Rumble. Instead, Roman Reigns claimed his second Rumble victory, and Breakker never entered the match. He was subsequently favored to win Money in the Bank, only for Penta to take the briefcase. Now relegated to one of WWE’s least relevant stables, Breakker hasn’t defended the tag titles alongside Austin Theory in over 100 days.

TKO’s WrestleMania 42 Night 1 Nightmare

Two veterans with decades of shared history as former Legacy members—Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes—had a built-in narrative. They could have deepened it by involving Ted DiBiase Jr., but his legal issues prevented an appearance. Instead, Orton turned heel and was paired with Pat McAfee, while Jelly Roll was shoehorned into the angle. The resulting WrestleMania match was so poorly received that a rumored follow-up tag match never materialized.

Liv Morgan’s Reign of (T)error

Liv Morgan’s title reign has featured a single successful defense and only two title matches. Despite her magnetic charisma, WWE has failed to book her effectively; she rarely wrestles, and her promos have grown stale. The company placed the title on her again but passed on having Roxanne Perez win Money in the Bank to inject urgency into the feud. She will likely defeat Chelsea Green at Crown Jewel, but if she remains a background player in The Judgment Day, it feels like déjà vu.

Danhausen’s Curse Is Catching Up to WWE

Jul 15, 2026; New York, NY, USA; The Miz arrives on the red carpet before the 2026 ESPY Awards at Lincoln Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Danhausen’s 2026 opponents read like a random generator: The Miz, Kit Wilson, Dominik Mysterio, and Gunther. Does anyone recall his musical segment with Joe Hendry? The “Human Monies on a Pole” match against Mysterio at SummerSlam was a mixed bag. Now interacting with Gunther on SmackDown, the “Ring General” finds himself beating up a face-painted vampire while creative seemingly questions every decision. TKO may love Danhausen, but the schtick is wearing thin, and the curses grow more absurd by the week.

Nikki Bella and Paige: Total Divas Becomes Total Embarrassment

Paige returned to replace an injured Nikki Bella at WrestleMania, capturing the tag titles with Brie Bella and effectively suffocating the division. On the night the Bellas turned on Paige after a SummerSlam loss, Brie suffered an injury, derailing a planned Bella Twins reunion and title run. Why did creative pivot to Nikki and Paige trading insults about their personal lives in subpar matches? Both women deserve better than being reduced to romantic gossip.

Tiffy Time AGAIN?

This is no slight against Tiffany Stratton, a superb performer. However, she didn’t need the briefcase to turn on Chelsea Green and win the title. The audience desperately wanted Roxanne Perez to win Money in the Bank; WWE swerved them, and it backfired. Now we endure another chaotic Liv Morgan reign. Meanwhile, no one will be surprised when Stratton hits the Prettiest Moonsault Ever on Green to cash in. The internet speculates she could fail, given WWE’s advertised 100% cash-in success rate. One certainty looms: Rhea Ripley’s return is likely on the horizon, and she is coming for that championship.

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