5 Reasons WWE Is Losing Fans In The Post-Kayfabe Era

Pro wrestling is a unique spectacle in that it presents live, simulated combat in a sports-like environment. That being said, having believable characters is key to making it all work.

Prior to kayfabe's final demise, wrestlers had a certain mystique about them that's been lost in the age of social media.

Take for instance, a wrestler like the Ultimate Warrior. The character came across as the kind of believable mad man that fans simply couldn't take their eyes off of. Now Imagine if the Warrior had an Instagram account and was shown with his facepaint off, giving a thumbs up at a fast-food drive-through. This would have been like finding out Santa wasn't real for an entire generation of wrestling fans. Moreover, it would make it much more difficult for viewers to re-immerse themselves in the character.

Let's imagine if Bobby Heenan in his prime was seen on Twitter at a Make-A-Wish event. It would be much harder for him to get the type of legit heat that made him so effective. Yes, heels should definitely do charity work, it's a great thing, but they don't need to let the world know about it.

Social media, if used correctly, could (and occasionally has been) an excellent tool to further character development. However, too often, it only serves to humanize the superhuman.