10 Milestones of WWE's long road of decline

#6 The Rock's Return

Obviously, this was a joyous moment. Seeing The Rock back in a ring after seven long years was a sight for sore eyes. People had dreamed for years of a match with Cena, and soon, we found out that it was going to happen. The result was the most buzz and relevance since 2001 and the most successful pay-per-view ever in WrestleMania 28.

Yet, for this brief return to glory, The Rock's comeback heralded yet more long-term problems in WWE's creative direction. After the success of this angle, Vince McMahon correctly understood that the part-time stars of yesteryear delivered more excitement than the ones he had under his employ all the time. The result was the beginning of the "part-timer" era, where those stars would routinely get the most shine and often humiliate their younger counterparts.

Over the years since 2011, the damage that this has done has only now manifested itself. Most of the part-time shots have been fired, and with low ammunition, it's evident that no one has stepped in their place.

Instead of using those part-time stars to pass torches and help build the future, WWE has in this decade sacrificed its present star power to aging legends. Now, no one has the same buzz, and the weekly programming lacks people to care about.