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Disclaimer: The views of the author do not necessarily reflect those of Sportskeeda
As you read this, you're probably going to get mad at what follows. This qualifies as an unpopular opinion but in a world where freedom is guaranteed, it would be wrong to give in to the base. It would be wrong to lead the readers astray. The only solution would be to tell you, the fans, the truth of what lies beneath.
Some of you may already know the answer and that's fine. This is for the uninformed; the millions of fans reading at home every day. It's a simple case of supply and demand and maybe, the current crop of WWE Superstars are not actually that over. Yeah, there you go, I said it! I said the most heinous thing that a WWE fan could hear. But I only speak the truth and the truth will set you free.
But let's step back for a minute. Who are the WWE legends that come to mind? The Undertaker, Trish Stratus and Bill Goldberg. It was also reported that Kane is making a comeback at upcoming WWE live events, and possibly appearing again in Saudi Arabia. To be fair, he never actually retired. He's just busy being Mayor of Knox County. Who would have thought?
So, let's get into the nitty-gritty and reveal 5 theories why Vince McMahon keeps bringing back WWE Legends.
#5 WWE Dream Matches
Let's make one thing clear! The Undertaker vs Goldberg match in Saudi Arabia is a bad example of this. But if both had been placed with young talent and booked correctly, it could have worked. It's rare when dream matches go wrong, especially when they just don't live up to the potential due to their bodies having suffered years of wear and tear.
On the other hand, the Trish Stratus vs Charlotte match could be one for the ages. Trish Stratus can still move very well in the ring and Charlotte is by far one of the best female wrestlers on the WWE roster. That should be a match worth seeing.
#4 Boosting WWE Raw and WWE SmackDown ratings
This is probably a given, but yeah, people still love seeing guys like Stone Cold Steve Austin, Mick Foley, Hulk Hogan, Booker T and so much more. The argument is legitimate when WWE does bring them back. Nostalgia never dies and it's always fun to hearken back to an era where everything WWE touched was gold no matter what.
People do tune in when these WWE legends come on-screen. Some critics say it is to cover the cracks in recent WWE programming, but it goes without saying, the content has improved in recent weeks and doesn't feel as contrived as it was before.
Let's be blunt and let's be honest! Some fans may complain, but it's fun to see Hulk Hogan interact with one of the younger guys or Stone Cold Steve Austin with Kevin Owens. It's fun, plain and simple.
#3 WWE Legends still draw money worldwide
As much as American fans may complain that some WWE legends have worn out their welcome, the fact is WWE is now a worldwide company. They're catering to the rest of the world and not just the United States. The Saudi Arabian shows are a pure example of that where Shawn Michaels made a return which no-one thought possible. And it's a credit to his talent that he still managed to shine amongst his peers.
It also shows the power that these stars still command over the rest of the WWE Universe. And moreover, they still draw crowds wherever they go. Whether it's a simple interview or at a fan convention, a WWE legend still commands the stage as they did many years before.
But is it reflective of the current WWE roster? That would be an unfair comparison and I would leave that to more introspective fans to answer that.
#2 WWE Legends can put over the current WWE Roster
Passing the torch is an old-age tradition in professional wrestling and it's no different in the current era. Whether it was Seth Rollins with The Kliq or even harking back to Hulk Hogan putting over The Rock at WrestleMania 18, there are times where it works very well. Even recently, having Bray Wyatt's The Fiend attack WWE Superstars like Mick Foley and Kurt Angle is a step in the right direction.
But truth be told there were elements of this in the Attitude Era but it was subtle and wasn't made so apparent as it is in the current product. That is something current WWE Creative can learn from earlier eras on how to handle WWE Legends today. While WWE legends should be given the respect they deserve, it should not come at the expense of the younger talent.
#1 Promoting the WWE Network
It goes without saying that the WWE Attitude Era was probably the most financially successful period for the WWE. It was instrumental in leading the way for the company to go public and be listed on the U.S. Stock Exchange. Most of the WWE Legends tend to be from the Attitude Era and Ruthless Aggression Era and most likely, WWE is playing up on fan nostalgia.
Where else can you see them in action but on the WWE Network where you could watch endless content of your favorite WWE Superstars for hours and hours on end? Now, isn't that fun? While it's unknown what currently gets the most views on the network, it wouldn't be surprising if the Attitude Era content was at the top of the list.
Eminem once said, "Through the passage of time, Kings never die." So too will WWE Legends live on...the WWE Network.
