The Absence of a Generation: Wrestling Needs New Superstars

In life, success breeds imitation and repetition. 

A.J Styles has become Ric Flair whilst Ric Flair was Buddy Rodgers. Randy Orton is the new Stone Cold, John Cena is the new Hogan and Jay Lethal is whoever he wants to be.

Wrestling has always had the headliner, the franchise, and the poster boy. However, today it seems incapable of producing its own superstars. 

The golden era of Hogan and Savage revolutionized wrestling on a global scale and the Attitude Era took it to monumental levels.

The demise of WCW, however, had a much bigger impact on the wrestling world than many could have realized. The success of Stone Cold and the Rock was directly linked to the success of the nWo.

As the companies competed, the quality improved and the ratings soared.

The unexpected collapse of Turner's Empire changed everything.

With TNA still in its relative infancy against the established WWE, the company from the north has a free reign to do whatever it wants, without much pressure.

There is no need to overspend or over-glamorise. There is no challenge or need for creativity.

Accordingly, the next generation of wrestler is non-existent with many including the likes of Matt Hardy being suppressed in favour of veteran stars like Triple H, Undertaker and Chris Jericho.

If money can be made by offering the same product then that is enough.

The investment and long term planning of the WWE is currently absent and sliding ratings seem to suggest that changes are required. Those that doubt that this could happen only need to look at WCW—as Reynolds and Alvarez have said, it was not meant to die either.

The likes of Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Triple H, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Chris Jericho are legendary main event participants for sure, but no longer today.

The chase for that Wrestlemania moment needs to be special, something that few could expect to happen, to cry with joy, as someone realizes their dream.

In order for the next generation to achieve it—there needs to be careful planning, long-term investment and creativity that does not rely upon tired gimmicks and imitations.

How many of today's superstars with their current identities are likely to headline the granddaddy of them all anytime soon?

The wrestling world is crying out for its next superstars.