How did we get here? - WWE's decaying love of storytelling...

As the road to Wrestlemania reaches its end, with only one stop left at smackdown, it has become clear that WWE have based the booking of the event around mainstream attention grabbing headlines. With expected appearances and/or matches from the likes of Pat McAfee, Jelly Roll, ishowspeed and Lil Yachty. Don't get me wrong, I actually enjoy the randomly occuring Pat matches and I think Jelly Roll is doing a good job.

But the Main Event of Wrestlemania (Night 1)?

Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton for the WWE Undisputed Championship has been a match we've waited years for. Randy Orton listening to the voices in his head and channeling his infamous 2009 self is what the fans have craved for years. The story that could be told between a former student and mentor. Two former legacy members, friends turned blood soaked enemies.

This story started out just like that. Randy Orton winning the Elimination Chamber, hunting for his 15th World Championship. Cody Rhodes winning back the WWE title from Drew McIntyre, leading to Randy having to do something he didn't want to. Randy basically tried to murder Cody Rhodes, all while saying "It was supposed to be Drew...".

We have been told for years that WWE isn't about the wrestling. Many different times we've heard "It's about telling a story." But ever since TKO has been in charge, even that aspect of WWE is decaying.

The hunger for mainstream popularity.

In recent years, WWE's Ticket Prices for events have raised to premium prices. Making it harder for families to attend events and trying to sell to a more "Luxury" crowd, similar to how the UFC operates.

With Wrestlemania tickets not selling out as fast as WWE and more importantly TKO would like, WWE have shoehorned as many mainstream celebrities as they can into Wrestlemania. Usually we see one or two special attraction matches at the grandest stage of them all, where a celebrity steps into the squared circle against a middle of the card heel and ultimately gets the win.

But this year is different. Pat McAfee has been inserted into the build up to the WWE Undisputed Championship match, completely changing the story that WWE was trying to tell. Jelly Roll has also made appearances in this storyline, however his involvement made some sense, with him trying to get The Viper to see the wrongs of his way and hoping Randy would see the light once more.

Wrestlemania was sacred.

Wrestlemania has always been the Season Finale of WWE's calendar year. Where every story is built to a climax. A perfect example being two years ago at Wrestlemania 40 when Cody Rhodes literally "Finished The Story" and became WWE Undisputed Champion.

In 2026 however, it is hard to take it seriously as it is clearly just being built up as a huge money making weekend, where I'm sure we will hear about a record breaking gate of some kind, instead of seeing a satisfying end to WWE's showcase of the immortals.

Just to be clear, as I imagine people of the internet may think I'm some disgruntled AEW fan, I think tribalism is stupid. WWE has always been my go to source for Pro Wrestling and it's kind of sad to watch it now, knowing every decision is being made specifically with the largest possible profit in mind instead of a love of the game.