10 Ways WWE Is Killing WrestleMania

6. It Is Mythologising Itself

Goldberg Mania 33
WWE.com

WrestleMania has created a certain expectation in the minds of fans - and its generic conventions are stifling its quality.

There has to be at least two epic matches. Longer is better and more important, even if certain matches cannot withstand the additional weight. Last year, The Undertaker and Shane McMahon wrestled for thirty minutes for no discernible reason other than it was WrestleMania. It was epic for epic's sake.

Even the best match in Orlando, Triple H Vs. Seth Rollins, could have benefitted from being that bit shorter. It felt like a self-consciously "big WWE match" when it should have felt more urgent, more organic. It was a **** match, performed brilliantly - but it was almost stipulated to be something bigger than the intimate rivalry cried out for. It was more of a great war than the personal battle it was built as.

Seth Rollins entered into his best babyface performance yet, but the reception was fairly tepid until the last five minutes. He was also significantly less over than Finn Bálor and even Chris Jericho on RAW. Right down to the use of Metallica in the video package, it felt at times more like Triple H's trademark saga than Rollins' redemption.

Goldberg Vs. Brock Lesnar was among the best five minute matches ever wrestled, but it was of an aberration than anything else. The overarching mythology of 'Mania still pervaded everything.

Every year, the entrance has to be bigger, more spectacular, more epic. WWE spends more time designing the stage than it does promoting its players.

Shouldn't it be the other way around?

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!