The Disturbing Truth Behind WWE WrestleMania 38

John Cena Returns 2021
WWE

It remains the most familiar shorthand term to the mainstream, and, pre and post-pandemic, is very much the grandest stage through its literal, stunning vista of fans. It's the one night per year that WWE feels like WWE again. It surely won't feel that way in 2022.

WWE has burned through its part-time fleet of big name superstar acts already; the return to live touring in the summer accelerated this development, leading to the returns of John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Goldberg and Becky Lynch. WWE has broken the glass in case of emergency to - once again - no appreciable effect.

The traditional modern WrestleMania attractions aren't returning to save the day, and even if they were, WWE would undermine the formula that makes the nostalgia philosophy work in the first place.

John Cena has returned to Hollywood and taken a large portion of WWE's house show gate receipts with him. He has put over Roman Reigns. His business is done, for now. Goldberg will probably work WrestleMania. He entered an impressive performance at Crown Jewel, not that that isn't by the by. He could have dropped Bobby Lashley on his head and still received a phone call. It's just easier to ring him up and create the illusion of star power. The few appearances he made on RAW to build the match didn't have a significant effect on ratings because his pull has faded through a mostly piss-poor run and overexposure. Nobody outside of WWE is aware of Triple H's current condition, which is concerning in itself, but it seems wildly optimistic that he can make the show. Everybody loves Edge...in arenas. He's not a needle-mover to the television audience. Nobody likes Shane McMahon...at all. He drew in 2016, but those days are gone.

CONT'D...(2 of 6)

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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!