This blog has been out of commission for a while, but something struck me this weekend as I watched the preshow for WWE’s most recent PPV. In today’s society, there is still a problem of toxic masculinity that permeates popular culture. WWE is certainly not the only offender, but it is one that I think could make a lasting change and, in the process, improve its own storytelling.
While talking about a current feud between Drew McIntyre and Sheamus, two of the panelists said something that stuck out to me about the nature of the business: You can either make friends, or you can make money. This isn’t something that surprised me coming from the two Hall of Famers in Booker T and Jerry “The King” Lawler, but it did strike a chord with me that this is precisely one of the problems of sports entertainment today. In the storytelling of WWE, there is still an overarching toxic masculinity when it comes to the portrayal of male relationships.
So what could be done differently? Let me start first with one of the major storylines from NXT with the dissolution of one of my favorite factions comprised of Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong, and Bobby Fish better known as The Undisputed Era. Recently, Cole turned on his fellow UE members O’Reilly and then Strong, setting up a current feud. While this feud will undoubtedly produce high quality matches and promos, it is founded upon the idea that the group as a whole has done all that they can do so must be split apart in order for them to succeed.
As a faction, the UE has dominated NXT for almost all of the last four years. At one point, all of the major titles in NXT were held by members of Undisputed Era. This group had an interesting bond as they have known each and been friends for decades having worked with one another on the independent scene in a variety of companies. This faction was sold to the viewer as more than just a faction; it was a brotherhood. Their bonds went beyond what we saw on our TVs each week. Yet, this faction has ended in a storyline fueled by jealousy and betrayal.
The same could be said for another faction that was a brotherhood: The New Day. Comprised of Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E Langston (Yep, I’m giving the man his last name back), the New Day have been together for six years until recently. However, back in 2019, when Kofi was pursuing the WWE World Title, there was an expectation that one of the members, namely Big E would turn on his fellow New Day member in pursuit of the title himself, but this didn’t happen, and it was a refreshing change of pace.
To be honest, the breakup of a faction over a title or really jealousy
is so commonplace that it has become cliche. What has made the New Day
different and interesting is that ultimately their breakup was the result of
the annual draft by WWE. It’s almost an unhealthy obsession with dominating
others that contributes to the toxic masculinity in the sport.
You might wonder so what? Why does this make a difference? The truth is that it makes a big difference. Healthy displays of affection between men are something that is generally lacking in society, but we have seen it within the wrestling community at large in times of tragedy.
Perhaps the best example of this was the passing of Brodie Lee aka Luke Harper in December. He was clearly someone who was deeply loved by his peers, and in the wake of his passing, there was an outpouring of emotion from those who knew him. Men, like Big E, tweeted about how he found himself crying with other grown men and telling each other that they loved them.
This made me think even more about how I would like to see these types of male relationships reflected in the wrestling product. Why can’t we have a brotherhood like the Undisputed Era stay a brotherhood and support each other as they progress in their careers? Why can you have friends and make money in the business? It’s time to set aside the toxic masculinity of old and embrace a more whole version of masculinity including healthy relationships with one another.
