10 WWE Wrestlers Who Get Way Too Much Criticism

Sometimes, the bandwagon goes a little too far...

john cena 2006
WWE.com

Wrestling fans have always been a vocal bunch, and discussing who WWE should and shouldn't push to the top is a favourite topic. You could spend hours discussing the merits of Cesaro or Sami Zayn as a Universal Title contender and still have points to make, such is the level of devotion fans dedicate to their favourite wrestlers.

This is a scripted, opinion-based sport, and if you sit down to watch Raw or SmackDown every week, you've earned your opinion. All dedicated sports fans are passionate, but wrestling takes it to the next level. Hardcore wrestling fans develop an almost tribe-like mentality, and while this often manifests in incredibly positive ways (see: the "Yes!" Movement), it often swings too far in the opposite direction.

Negative opinions tend to snowball, especially with the rise of social media, where bandwagon culture is particularly prevalent. A wrestler can make one false move in this business and never see their popularity recover from the backlash no matter how hard they try, and it's very difficult to alter a majority opinion once a group has made its mind up.

There are plenty of understandable gripes towards WWE and their performers in 2016, but not all criticism is created equally. What starts as a legitimate complaint can often spiral towards unjustifiable levels of hatred, and WWE history is full of figures who've fallen victim to this.

Here are 10 WWE wrestlers who get way too much criticism.

10. Baron Corbin

john cena 2006
WWE.com

Baron Corbin was almost certainly called-up from NXT too early. Though his character had made good progress through feuds with Austin Aries and Apollo Crews, Corbin was still a few steps behind his peers between the ropes. Corbin is as uncomplicated as they come, and some fans will never be able to look beyond the clumsy, plodding rookie that struggled to convince even when flattening jobbers in 10-second NXT squash matches.

Full Sail would regularly fill with chants of "Baron's gonna bore you" during Corbin's early stages, but while he's never going to be AJ Styles in the ring, he has improved considerably in that department. He's very basic, sure, but Corbin has become a relatively effective brawler, and he plays his role to perfection.

Additionally, Corbin might not be the most charismatic guy in the world, but he has the "bully heel" act down to a tee. It's a one-note gimmick, sure, but it's one that he's very good at, and if WWE start giving his character some much-needed airtime, he should be able to get over. Corbin's persona is one of the company's most unlikable: combine this with his unique look and tremendous finisher, and WWE have a potentially solid upper-midcard heel on their hands.

His stomach still looks like a sad face, though. That's not up for debate...

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.