10 Things Fans Hate About WWE That Will Never Change
8. Part-Time Dominance
Dealing with part-timers is a double-edged sword. Brock Lesnar was universally celebrated when he made his long-awaited WWE return in 2012, but a huge sect turned on him by the team he ended The Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak. The same thing happened with The Rock, whose “Once In A Lifetime” program with John Cena started incredibly positively, but ended in fatigue and bitterness.
Their part-time status has a lot to do with this. When they came back through the door, Rock and Lesnar were fresh and interesting. Neither had been seen for years, and they were treated like returning heroes. As time wore on, however, and these wrestlers were pushed at the expense of full-timers, they started losing their support, and their divisiveness multiplied.
Some fans screamed to the heavens when Lesnar and Rock were crowned WWE Champion as part-timers, and roared when Lesnar’s status prevented him from Wellness Policy punishment. The argument is that not only are these part-timers removing opportunities from full-time wrestlers who’ve worked for the company for years, but they’re given preferential treatment and held to a different standard.
For as long as these part-timers draw viewers, however, the policy won’t change. Yes, it’s frustrating, but the business is based entirely on making money. Rock’s treatment of Erick Rowan at WrestleMania 32 stunk, but his presence brings countless eyes to WWE’s shows, and that’s what WWE are all about.