10 Things WWE Doesn't Want You To Know About Independent Wrestling

4. ... And That Is Why WWE Is Trying To Kill Its Perception

Kenny Omega All In
WWE.com

Ultimately, Asuka's undefeated streak was sacrificed in order to push Carmella - a not very good at all in-house prospect untainted by the independent circuit WWE demonstrably resents.

If a wrestler of Constable Corbin's calibre was in any way synonymous with the independent circuit, WWE would not push him. The company only persists because he's one of "their guys". Daniel Bryan said on NXT in 2010 that WWE likes to push "their guys". One need only look at his story to believe his words.

Around whom was The Shield vehicle built: the guy who never wrestled outside of the WWE umbrella, or the more popular acts who starred in Ring Of Honor and Combat Zone Wrestling?

Even if the mentality is unconscious, and not overt, it still exists and is frequently manifest: WWE places the most value on those that were either built within its own walls, or didn't spend enough time on the indy scene to become synonymous with it. There is a methodology to the madness; were WWE to promote independent wrestlers as equals, the key distinction between WWE and the indy guys would no longer exist. WWE is the biggest, and thus, their guys are the best. Any levelling would see WWE lose footing from their perch.

That's why Asuka is about four feet below at the rate of current burial.

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!