WWE has a penchant for nostalgia, not unlike that one uncle who insists on telling the same stories at every family event. While initially charming, they eventually overshadow the present. Honoring legends has its place in wrestling (see Sting’s final run in AEW for a great example), but overreliance on past glory can stifle the growth of current stars and hinder the evolution of a wrestling brand. Today, WWE is relying too much on past talent, and it’s hurting the full-time stars who are carrying the show.
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The Rock Didn’t Show Up At WrestleMania 41
John Cena’s Record-Setting WWE Championship Win Fell Flat
- The Rock’s absence at WrestleMania 41 left WWE fans bewildered.
- Travis Scott’s interference overshadowed John Cena’s moment.
- The storyline from Elimination Chamber lacked a payoff, leaving fans feeling cheated.
Leading up to WrestleMania 41, The Rock was shaping up to play a significant role in the story. He had a huge influence on John Cena’s monumental heel turn at WWE Elimination Chamber, and anticipation was heavy among WWE fans for The Rock to play a significant role at WrestleMania, but he was notably absent. Instead, rapper Travis Scott made a surprise appearance, interfering in the main event bout between Cody Rhodes and John Cena by pulling the ref out of the ring and distracting Rhodes, which ultimately contributed to Cena’s win and his historic, record-breaking 17th world championship.
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But instead of celebrating Cena’s historic win, the biggest conversation coming out of WrestleMania 41 was, “Wait… where was The Rock?” Just as quickly, that question turned into, “Why the hell was Travis Scott involved instead?” No disrespect to the Grammy-nominated rapper, he earned his status, but fans came for the Brahma Bull and got the Cactus Jack. Not that Cactus Jack—the one with auto-tune and a chain! (Again, no shade to Mr. Scott.) The Rock later explained his absence, stating that he wanted to keep the spotlight on Cena and Rhodes, and avoid making it about taking either competitor’s “soul.” Beyond that—who knows?
Fans Booed Hulk Hogan On Raw’s First Netflix Episode
The Hulksters Has Destroyed His Own Legacy
- Hulk Hogan’s return to Raw on Netflix to promote his beer was met with boos, not cheers.
- WWE fans are growing weary of repeated nostalgia acts.
- Controversial figures are no longer guaranteed crowd-pleasers.
Hulk Hogan’s surprise appearance on the first edition of Raw on Netflix was supposed to elevate the show to be a nostalgic moment for wrestling fans, but the Los Angeles WWE crowd at the Intuit Dome responded to the Hulkster’s presence with a symphony of boos. Hogan’s controversies and repeated appearances in the face of fan distaste have diminished his appeal on WWE programming.
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Hogan illustrates a broader issue within WWE; the overreliance on past legends to draw attention. Nostalgia is a powerful tool, but it can lead to audience fatigue and hinder the progression of current talent. Especially when their storylines don’t conclude, like The Rock, and legends are met with go-home heat, like Hogan. Fans seek fresh narratives and characters that they can relate to, rather than repeated callbacks to the past. Callbacks should be about fun and giving us what we want.
Nostalgia Acts Are Overshadowing The Main Roster
New Stars Struggle When More Time Is Given To Legends
- The likes of LA Knight, Gunther, and Carmelo Hayes need the spotlight.
- The women’s division lacks promotional focus compared to nostalgia acts.
- Overreliance on past stars stifles brand evolution.
This continuous returning spotlight for legends like The Rock and Hulk Hogan inadvertently sidelines emerging talents. Wrestlers like LA Knight, Gunther, and Carmelo Hayes are on the cusp of superstardom, and could make better use of the spotlight time in both instances. Overuse of legends and nostalgia can create an environment where new stars will struggle to establish themselves, like Chris Jericho’s final years in WCW. Overuse of wrestling legends can also cause brands to lose touch with their audiences and make them cringe.
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The women’s division can also suffer from this imbalance. Stars like Rhea Ripley and Tiffany Stratton have everything it takes to lead the division to new heights, but the lack of promotional energy compared to some of these nostalgia acts is limiting their exposure and potential growth. WWE needs to invest more in its current roster and allow stars to shine without being overshadowed by the past.
