10 Ways WWE Is Killing WrestleMania

5. The SummerSlam Problem

Goldberg Mania 33
WWE.com

WrestleMania suffers from enough self-inflicted problems, but more are emerging on the periphary.

SummerSlam has become WrestleMania-lite, not that it never really wasn't - but the show now requires blockbuster matches and four hours to sustain it. WWE followed that formula with Survivor Series last year. Royal Rumble 2017 took place in a stadium. Slowly, WWE is diluting 'Mania's status as a unique attraction.

The mere name of WrestleMania conjures something within wrestling fans. Without being too melodramatic, there is a magic about it. Matches suddenly become better than they are, bolstered by its eminence and spectacle. Steve Austin and The Rock wrestled a far superior match at Backlash 1999, but the WrestleMania XV original is remembered more fondly. WrestleMania is the industry's greatest creation, and arguably its most effective work.

But that name, that magic, was built on Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker - men who were positioned as stars of their time but who no longer reside there. The brand itself has become so monumental that it's difficult to envisage it suffering a downturn in popularity - but then, WrestleMania IX came after WrestleMania III.

It isn't totally bulletproof - and therefore not immune to these converging threats.

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!