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WWE: The WWE Universe’s Unhealthy Obsession With Top Heels

By Josh Raibick

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This generation of wrestling fans are more educated about the product they are watching than any other generation of wrestling fans.  But that raises an important question, is that why the WWE Universe is so negative about today’s product?

The year is 2017, and of course the internet runs the world.  With resources to social media and websites dedicated to wrestling news there are not many angles or backstage drama WWE can hide from fans.

Also with access to the internet wrestling fans are able to watch matches from smaller promotions that simply were not part of a fan’s regimen 15 years ago.  With that said, when wrestlers debut fans know already who they are.

On top of all the other advantages the current fan has there is also the WWE Network.  With the WWE Network, younger fans are able to educate themselves about the pioneers of the industry as well as the origins of the industry itself.

The problem with all this knowledge is the topic that is being discussed for one.  Pro wrestling is a topic between fans that has very little to do with facts and more to do with self-motivated opinion.

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That is alright, but unfortunately that is why wrestling is like religion and politics, which are so aggressively discussed  Every member of the I.W.C. at some point has come across comments under wrestling articles with harsh language due to the fact that the person commenting disagrees with the point being made.

My point is that with all the knowledge that we have gained as a wrestling fan base there has also been a sense of entitlement as well.  Further proof is the ongoing argument about certain heels being pushed to the top of the card.

The top heels in WWE are not expected to be the most popular superstar in the ring, if they were that would make them the top babyface.  As a fan it sounds ridiculous to expect WWE to meet my standards for a top heel, because that would mean I would have to approve the superstar I am expected to hate.

Unfortunately every match cannot be AJ Styles vs. Finn Balor, and even more importantly that match does not have the same impact if fans are being treated to dream matches weekly.  Also both of those superstars are babyfaces and it would not make sense to keep putting babyfaces against each other.

Remember the build to Austin vs. Rock at WrestleMania 17, or Michaels vs. Hart at WrestleMania 12?  Do you know why it was special?  Mainly because WWE did not put top babyfaces against each other every week.

The balance of heels and babyfaces is what makes wrestling work.  This is why hearing fans complain about a top heel not being a draw is frustrating.  The year is not 1982, and NWA World Champion Ric Flair is not scheduled to defend his title in my small hometown.

Looking at the Attitude Era, today’s fans would be screaming for the demotion of Triple H back then.  Triple H was not capable of working as fast paced of a match as superstars on today’s roster due to his size and wrestling style.  Who cares?

Triple H was used to enhance Stone Cold (yes, even Stone Cold), The Rock, and especially Mick Foley.  I seethed with rage watching Triple H on my television, but that is what made me root for the babyfaces of the Attitude Era that much more.

That is why fans fuming on social media over superstars like Jinder Mahal and The Miz getting valuable air-time have truly forgotten the origins of pro wrestling.  If you are watching the product, and then posting about how angry those superstars made you well…that is exactly the point.

Do not get this take on the WWE Universe’s complaints of top heels confused with their choice of booing a top babyface.  If WWE gets you to boo their top heel it is a success, but at the same time if you are also booing their top babyface then it is a failure.

Some members of the WWE Universe crave fast paced wrestling with little selling of moves and matches with very little story.  If that is your scene then maybe check out a few indy shows, but just know that isn’t WWE’s M.O.

Either way as fans we need to get back to what made us fall in love with wrestling as kids.  It is the battle between good vs. evil straight from a comic book or action movie.

Next: The Shield Is In Need Of A Purpose

You have the freedom to cheer or boo whoever you wish as a fan of WWE.  Just remember that there is a purpose behind these characters, and protagonist vs. antagonist has been the top storyline for books, movies, and plays for centuries because it is the most effective approach to capturing the emotion of the intended audience.

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