10 Biggest Unsung Heroes Of WWE's Current Era
The Empty Arena Era has taken a toll, but these men and women have shined regardless.
WWE's Empty Arena is strange. WrestleMania playing out in an empty gym with no one in attendance, the Stone Cold Stunner happening to eerie silence, the prevalence of warped cinematic matches, and ThunderDome; all of these things are nuts, but real.
It’s been a rough time for WWE, as it has been for everyone during this pandemic. They’ve had to deal with several outbreaks, adjusting to making wrestling work with no fans in attendance, and they controversially let go numerous employees back in April.
The stories are often harder to get invested in, the shows are difficult to watch, the atmosphere just doesn’t feel right most of the time and instead of being an escape, wrestling over the last few months has been a reminder of what’s changed in our current era.
But even in times of darkness, there are figures that remind us why wrestling is so special, even with all the cursed things going on all around it. While there have been widely acclaimed performers like Drew McIntyre, Roman Reigns and Asuka, this list will celebrate the figures that either the creative team or the fans haven’t truly recognised as some of the most valuable workers right now...
10. MVP
MVP wasn’t supposed to be back for a full-time run. He was very open on his Instagram that his Royal Rumble appearance and subsequent Raw match with Rey Mysterio was it for him, a way to show his son that his dad could wrestle and be a larger than life superstar against his favourite WWE performer. But like numerous other times throughout his career, MVP was just too good to be denied.
The VIP Lounge segments before the pandemic hit America were entertaining, particularly in how they gave Drew McIntyre opportunity to express more of his personality leading up to WrestleMania 36. MVP is one of the best talkers in wrestling and filled the role of getting a top contender over beautifully.
But since WWE’s been without crowds, MVP has stepped up his game, working occasional matches with Apollo Crews and forming The Hurt Business with Shelton Benjamin, Bobby Lashley and eventually Cedric Alexander. The Hurt Business are an electrifying stable, a highlight of Raw every week, and wouldn’t function without MVP’s scintillating presence and promos.
Years after his physical peak, MVP has become an essential part of WWE once again and all of us are lucky to have him back.