10 Reasons Why WWE Fans Are Sick Of Nostalgia

5. Old Pay-Per-Views Don't Draw

WWE PPV Posters
WWE

This an objective take on what otherwise is a subjective argument.

The instantaneous access to the WWE Network archives allows fans to bask in the glory of the past. You used to have to pay a not inconsiderable fee to travel back in time, thereby protecting its prestige. Normalising anything removes the gloss; and, by providing instant streaming access to those archives at no extra cost, WWE has reduced their appeal. This has manifested in low ratings for the legendary pay-per-views of years past, indicating that fans are interested in abbreviated highlights only.

Virtually every pirated YouTube video of Attitude Era content generates the same deluge of comments: Wrestling was so lit back in the day; WWE sucks now; PG sucks; We'll never see stuff like this again; How can you go from this to Roman Reigns; It's sad that they don't build feuds like this anymore...

If there is a way of monetising this sentiment, the Network isn't it; the rankings consistently prove that Attitude Era-related content - pay-per-views, Monday Night Wars retrospectives, Beyond The Ring specials etc. are cobwebbed, habitually outranked even by fringe original content. The spirit behind the Attitude Era, in particular, is evidently mourned far more than the content is revisited.

On-the-nose, unimaginative nostalgia is dying a death - but if TakeOver: WarGames is any indication, there is scope to modernise the essence behind it.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!