The Big Picture Professional wrestling is currently in its biggest boom period since Hulkamania was running wild in the '80s and Stone Cold Steve Austin ushered in The Attitude Era of the late '90s. WWE alone broadcasts over 10 hours per week on top of pay-per-views and digital content, has cornered a large share of Peacock's streaming service since 2021, will soon take over Netflix with its flagship show Monday Night Raw, and keeps smashing records every month.
Pro wrestling is considered by many to be low-brow and silly. To some, Friday Night SmackDown is the same "trash TV" as Jerry Springer. There's a perception it is just grown men rolling around in their underwear, spouting ridiculous catchphrases, as parodied on the South Park episode "W.T.F." They roll their eyes at The Undertaker being an undead sorcerer, rather than embracing the over-the-top soap opera elements those within the wrestling bubble adore.
Related 'The Iron Claw' Isn't The Best Wrestling Movie — This Is It's a deeper movie than just suplexes and holds. It couldn't save itself purely on star power, either. The Rock is both a Hollywood icon and one of the most popular wrestlers ever, but that wasn't enough. Most people will not check out the new Naked Gun reboot film for a cameo by WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, but because they are fans of the original movies and like that style of humor.