WWE Today: Have Fans Forgotten What Wrestling Is All About?

It's no secret that WWE's current PG direction receives endless criticism. From the lack of headshots to the ban on blading, the less extreme style and the lack of anything remotely crude or notably violent, long-time fans always have some gripe.

In truth, most of these criticisms—although accurate—are not what lies at the heart of the fans' issues with modern WWE. It comes down to the lack of gripping storylines, the lack of consistency in what stories there are and the infrequency of memorable moments.

While many supposed fans are lost because of this, we still continue to watch anyway. Some people claim it's because of hope, others claim they're waiting for the moments.

Why do we really stick with the WWE, though?

As a fanbase, we hand out enough criticism, and we have the right to critique. But instead of constantly and nostalgically pining for what's in the past, for once, let us focus on what WWE has at its core:

Wrestling.

Behind it all is the sport we love. Many apparent fans may abandon the company, but those who remain watching are fans of pure wrestling.

Indeed, to say the WWE is entirely boring because of its current direction is both incorrect and insulting.

It is incorrect because you will still find quality in-ring action. They may not be the names you were once accustomed to, but that doesn’t mean guys like Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes or Dolph Ziggler can't put on an athletic show when they step inside those ropes.

It is insulting to matches like Ricky Steamboat and Randy Savage at Wrestlemania III. It's an insult to Owen Hart versus Bret Hart at Wresltemania X, or Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker at Wrestlemania XXV and XXVI.

When it comes to classic matches such as these, the storylines, the era and the company direction are entirely irrelevant. Sure, the plots added to the matches' buildup at the time, but watching them today, they stand alone as entertaining wrestling in its purest form.

That in-ring element has not been lost in modern WWE.

Wrestling is wrestling—it doesn't matter how the WWE dresses it up and markets it.

The fact remains that the WWE is the top league of the sport we love. Regardless of the plots and the corporate limitations, when you put CM Punk in the ring with Daniel Bryan, it's going to be good.

Behind the smoke and mirrors, it is still the same sport as always.

Let's not be naïve, though. The WWE is currently in a slump, and we let them know that. We criticize everything from their direction to the lack of solid tag-team, cruiserweight and women's divisions. When Daniel Bryan is given an 18-second match at Wrestlemania, we are not hesitant to speak up.

It is justified.

However, let's take a moment to remember why we truly watch WWE programming. Let’s remember why we stick with the industry:

It's our love of the sport.

The masses come and go depending on how the WWE markets its products and the content they provide, but for long-time fans, it's still wrestling at heart.

Let’s remember that.

See also: WWE Today: Do Fans Only Watch for the Fleeting Moments?

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