The use of part-time WWE legends to fill spots on the company’s big events has always been a hotly debated issue. It makes sense from a business perspective, as someone like The Undertaker is always going to draw more eyeballs than Bray Wyatt. Of course, the argument from others is that people like Wyatt can’t ever achieve that Undertaker level of success if you’re constantly bumping them for part time players who aren’t around for most of the year.
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It factors in even more with something like the Royal Rumble, which always surprises fans with returning favorites and new additions throughout the 30 man match. Still, there are those who would like to see less giving spots to older wrestlers like Goldberg and Undertaker and more opportunities for the younger names who are the future of the company.
WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin recently sat down with TV Insider (via GiveMeSport) to discuss the Rumble and explained why WWE continues to rely on the older veterans.
“They are relying on the established stars to help out with their experience. I think it’s more than nostalgia. There are these guys who have been there, done it over and over. People still want to see them, but the fact they are this veteran presence and super well-known.
“Most of that roster is not over to the degree a lot of the current guys are. So blend them in there and let those young guys get the rub, do well, because they are the future. The nostalgic guys bring that older and hardcore fanbase because most of those guys were from the ‘Attitude Era.’ They are drawing any way they can to sell tickets and put asses in those seats.”
When used sparingly, it makes sense, but it seems every WrestleMania there is some returning superstar that gets the spotlight, and one has to wonder if the WWE is stunting their other roster’s growth when they keep putting them on the bench.
The Royal Rumble airs on the WWE Network this Sunday.
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