The Disturbing Truth Behind WWE WrestleMania 38

Brock Lesnar Roman Reigns
WWE

The Rock isn't working the show either.

He himself has confirmed this, echoing a report in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter of a scheduling conflict. This is not great; WWE has spent over a full year presenting Roman Reigns as the single most protected entity in the 21st century with the most enormous possible version of a mega-match in mind. This isn't happening now, and the only vaguely credible opponent, Brock Lesnar, has already worked him in Saudi Arabia.

In terms of legitimate WrestleMania-sized attractions, the "WWE Universe" is left with a rematch. A desperate Vince McMahon has broken a long-held rule out of pure desperation and a lack of options yielded through his dismal, unfocused booking: historically, a rematch of a match he promoted on a lesser show the prior year was always verboten. WrestleMania was sacred in that regard. The issue is that Crown Jewel is not a lesser show. It isn't Fastlane. It's the most lucrative, important night on the WWE calendar, and it will never develop the same prestige as the show on which "it all began". It's a propaganda advert conceived decades after WWE slowly faded from the cultural zeitgeist. Some fans might be unfazed by the problematic aspect of the show, but it still won't resonate with the same heft as WrestleMania. It's impossible to build something like it ever again.

But it's very possible to let it die slowly.

CONT'D...(3 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!