10 Reasons Why Old School Fans Struggle With Modern WWE
8. The Dissonance
At this year's Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns unsuccessfully challenged for Kevin Owens' Universal Championship.
It was a gripping and brutal match, even if it stretched suspension of disbelief in places. Like the vast majority of Reigns matches, he was booked to overcome inhuman punishment in a misguided attempt to get him over as a top babyface. At one point, he absorbed a full-on punch to the face when Owens was wearing brass knuckles. He kicked out at two, to the sound of a cheap pop. At another, Owens bullfrog splashed him through a table from the top rope. Fans cheered. It was a very entertaining stunt show, but little more. There was no real drama because the reaction of the crowd contradicted its purpose.
If Sting circa 1989 received such offence, fans would have been devastated. As comparatively limited as his matches were, they were so much more rewarding on an emotive level. He was so universally adored that it was impossible to not get swept up in the cacophony. His comebacks were stirring; when Reigns trots out his hope spots, fans jeer him. The storytelling is undermined completely. Wrestling, at its best, contrives and simulates the thrill of sport.
In wrestling, your team gets to win. That's the whole point - or at least it used to be. Now that one out of touch man controls the reins (ahem), that thrill is long gone.