Here’s one I didn’t see coming! Regularly watching the weekly WWE shows Smackdown and RAW, just like I used to as a teen.
The era of the Hardy Boyz, Edge & Christian and The Dudley Boys feels like it’s long gone. But there are still flashes of the stars I once watched every week.
WWE has a lot of history (on-screen and off) and whilst I remember some of the finest moments in the company and iconic storylines. I’ve also missed probably 20 years of stuff since then.
The days of Stone Cold, The Rock, Triple H, Shane McMahon and Mankind being in regular rotation are but a memory. But the stars and stories now, I know little of them, and taking everything at face value today, is a bit rough.
WWE in 2025
Thanks to the Netflix deal this year, WWE is back on my periphery and I’ve found myself taking full advantage.
Weekly watches of RAW and Smackdown, and even the Royal Rumble. All there for the taking! It’s been weird, because I honestly feel like I’ve grown out of it, and certainly watch it much more cynically. But, I’m still watching it!
There’s a really deep roster of characters to keep moving forward. A significant increase in women’s wrestling too.
But quality does not equate to quality, and whilst I can see which are supposed to be the big stars and the big heels. It all feels a bit surface-level.
There’s nobody I believe actually wants a title. It’s all pantomime.
That’s on me, for sure. I’m much older, more wiser to the world and the world of WWE. But, none of the big stars are really drawing me in.
Jay Uso seems great but doesn’t “feel” like star material. Cody Rhodes is this weird, clean-cut dude who is clearly good at wrestling and cutting promos but doesn’t feel larger than life.
It’s the same across the board, albeit even more so. Seth “freakin” Rollins is a prime example of it. He has a blinder of a career by all accounts. But I don’t see anything that would back that up in present-day WWE.
Sami Zayn is even worse. Just some boarder dude with seemingly no angle or aim.
Kevin Owens is for sure the only stand-out. While I don’t like the character arc, His ability in and out of the ring is clear.
Changes to women’s wrestling
The WWE used to mainly use women for ring-side interference, bra and panties matches, and generally more geared towards keeping men watching.
Mae Young’s puppies, anyone?
Now, it’s proper wrestling, storylines and titles!
A strong, deep roster of characters, again. But some of these seem really green. Now, that’s largely due to the nature of the sport for women only being taken seriously for a short period.
Like, who are the “legends” to aspire to, emulated and better?
Again, the flashing lights and the massive signs saying “big star/face” and “bad guy/heel”. But they’re even less convincing.
Charlotte Flair has all the charisma of a leather shoe. And honestly, I’ve forgotten more names than I should have.
Nia Jax is a good heel, sure. But good compared to what? Terrible out-of-the-ring interactions, too.
Bayley stands out as having some kind of star quality and capability. But seems to be relegated to being the underdog and an NXT graduate who can’t shake it.
WWE for women is a better place for sure and representation matters. I think the changes and the depth of the roster are excellent. But again, quality over quantity, please?
Wrestlemania and beyond
I’m oddly still enjoying my casual re-engagement with WWE. But I can see myself dropping off pretty quickly.
A surprisingly good Logan Paul is doing some serious heavy lifting for the brand. Despite being a piece of human trash in real life. He’s a capable wrestler, a fantastic heel and a massive draw.
As all the rhetoric turns towards the upcoming Wrestlemania and the title matches etc. Seeing arcs come to a head, or new rivalries starting is possibly the best place to jump back into WWE and properly engage.
Right now it’s shiny but hollow. Perhaps it always was, but I want just a glimmer of what made me a fan 20 years ago, and I’m yet to see it.
Who knows? Let’s give it a couple more months and report back!
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