WWE's 2 Biggest Booking Concerns, The Elite's AEW Return, More Quick Takes

WWE's on-air product has made great strides since Triple H took over its creative direction in July. But the honeymoon period is over, and there are still issues that need addressing.

There are two booking concerns in particular that WWE should take notice of before they begin to worsen. The Game is still in the process of replenishing the roster and ending shows with cliffhangers, but effective storyline progression and character development will be key in maintaining fan interest.

All Elite Wrestling is also about to enter an interesting period, with The Elite on their way back soon from suspension and no one knowing quite what they'll have in store.

The promotion could also use compelling programs right now, and incorporating a hint of reality into whatever The Elite do next would help with that.

We may have seen the last of CM Punk in AEW if the latest update from Fightful is to be believed, but The Elite being back will at least provide the product with a much-needed boost.

The installment of Quick Takes will tackle The Elite's upcoming return, Jamie Hayter being primed to break out on her own, how Crown Jewel could be a must-win situation for Bayley, and more.

Emma was the latest familiar face to return to WWE following a lengthy absence on Friday's SmackDown when she unsuccessfully challenged Ronda Rousey for the SmackDown Women's Championship.

It was a fine reintroduction for her, but nothing about the bout stood out as special. The aftermath will be more important as far her getting over with the audience and finding her spot on the show.

The many returns WWE has had since SummerSlam have been exciting and given fans the feeling that anything can happen, but it also creates an issue of not everyone being able to be spotlighted and pushed at once.

Hit Row and Legado del Fantasma are prime examples. Both groups recently arrived on SmackDown and are in the midst of feuding, but their six-man tag team match on Friday saw Shinsuke Nakamura emerge as the biggest star of the bunch.

Karrion Kross and Braun Strowman have had direction in feuds with Drew McIntyre and Omos, respectively, but Candice LeRae has been lost in the shuffle. That's in addition to names such as LA Knight, Nikki Cross, Baron Corbin and Elias being repackaged and fighting for television time among themselves.

Triple H is quickly approaching AEW territory (assuming he hasn't already) in that he could benefit from slowing down on the talent acquisitions and instead shift his focus to making the most of who he has now.

To Triple H's credit, a majority of the Superstars he has brought back in recent months have been kept busy with something significant to do. That isn't to say all of his storylines have been lighting the world on fire, though.

WWE lacked long-term storytelling for several years, and while it's refreshing to have rivalries not be blown off immediately, dragging out stories for too long can pose a problem as well.

That isn't the case with many storylines at the moment in WWE, but Dexter Lumis vs. The Miz has gone on long enough without there being a proper explanation for why the former is targeting the latter. It's been teased as of late with Johnny Gargano getting involved, but the two rivals should have had at least one match by now.

This is an issue Triple H must attempt to avoid at all costs with Bray Wyatt. He has been white-hot since his Extreme Rules return and has been a recurring highlight on SmackDown, but fans may lose interest if he starts to cut the same promo weekly.

Raw and SmackDown have enough engaging angles to make the shows worthwhile right now, but finding the sweet spot for storylines is paramount. Dragging them out for months on end for no real reason will hurt the goodwill WWE has created with Triple H at the helm.

It has been clear for some time that Jamie Hayter is well on her way to singles stardom in AEW. Her breaking away from Britt Baker shouldn't be too far off at this point if the reaction she received on Dynamite last week was any indication.

The 27-year-old started out as a relative unknown alongside Baker last summer but has really risen in the ranks over the last year. She's proved herself to be a hard-hitting competitor and one of the most intense individuals on the roster, which has earned her the respect and adulation of the audience.

All signs seemed to point to her and Baker going their separate ways following the tension teased between the two at All Out, but Saraya's debut soon after put those plans on hold.

If Hayter challenges Toni Storm for the AEW Interim Women's World Championship at Full Gear, Baker should cost her the title to cement their split and progress that program.

Once they finally face off and the British wrestler beats her former friend, it wouldn't be a stretch to see her be the one to dethrone Jade Cargill for the AEW TBS Championship since no one else poses much of a threat to her undefeated streak currently.

The booking of the AEW women's division has been subject to much criticism from fans this year and understandably so, but Hayter organically getting over has been a revelation and should not be squandered.

Damage CTRL's run on Raw thus far hasn't been the smoothest, but despite their setbacks, they've remained in the Raw Women's Championship mix and maintained their grasp on the WWE women's tag team titles.

Bayley scored a much-needed victory over Bianca Belair last Monday on Raw to earn herself another opportunity at the title at Crown Jewel. Saturday's encounter will be fought under Last Woman Standing rules, and it's safe to assume it will be the heel's final title shot if she loses again.

Belair can hold onto the gold through WrestleMania 39 and continue to have an entertaining reign, but this is a must-win situation for The Role Model to salvage any heat the group has left.

With WarGames right around the corner, Damage CTRL battling babyfaces from Raw's roster inside the two cages would make the most sense, but only if they have the upper hand going in. Bayley failing to win the championship for a second time would do nothing to make her look like a legitimate threat to The EST of WWE or anyone else for that matter.

Belair may even benefit from being back in chase mode for a little longer. And if Bayley suffers another loss at Crown Jewel, it will be difficult for her already-struggling stable to bounce back.

With the All Out investigation seemingly concluded, The Elite's Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks are finally on their way back to TV, based on the vignette that aired for them last week on Dynamite.

There are many different directions AEW can go with them, but acknowledging the obvious elephant in the room should be a part of whatever they do next.

Of course, CM Punk won't be mentioned if he is legitimately gone from the company soon, but the latest crack in the foundation of The Elite should be incorporated into their character arcs. Them dealing with the difficulties of being EVPs and active wrestlers simultaneously would also be an intriguing twist and should be explored as well.

AEW TV could use more must-see storylines at the moment, and anything involving The Elite will fit the bill if they're positioned as important players with adversity to overcome. Immediately chasing the AEW World Trios Championship would be a logical, albeit underwhelming, option from the get-go.

Continuing as if if they missed no time would be insulting the intelligence of the viewers. AEW is at its best when it blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, and it has a chance to get people talking here.

Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website, WrestleRant, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more wrestling-related content.