What Wrestling Legends Really Think Of Modern WWE

3. Minoru Suzuki

Steve Austin
NJPW

Minoru Suzuki isn't a shoot interview story recycler, nor does he have his own podcast. He is not interested in discussing WWE much one way or the other.

But he did, to promote his New Beginning match with Jon Moxley, put his opponent over - hilariously, by explaining that he did well not to learn too much in a profoundly damaged WWE system.

The WWE system aims to create stars from PW- from scratch. There are several in-ring coaches. There's a promo class. There is one huge facility in which to become a TV-ready all-rounder who knows how to play to the camera, as if every non-WWE match filmed through a toilet paper tube.

All of this converges, insidiously and counterproductively, to create a sense of familiarity amongst the roster and all three brands. They are copying each other's homework, and the name of the class is 'You See, Wrestling Is Better When It's Slower 101'.

Suzuki reckoned, in an interview with NJPW1972.com, that "The kids go in, and they train, and their trainers find what the gaps are in their games, and they try to fill those gaps right up. So you have this perfectly smooth, grey lump of boring trash."

You know, that doesn't not describe an NXT promo.

 
Posted On: 
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!