Growing up half-Sicilian, my mother taught me early to keep personal and professional strife private — handle it in-house, never make it tabloid fodder.
As I’ve learned through the years, some situations require a public address. But generally, when I see people airing grievances publicly, I think, “Oh, you’re messy.”
Which brings me to AJ Styles and his recent comments. On WWE’s Raw Recap podcast, he delivered a stinging critique of WrestleMania, the company’s signature event.
“WrestleMania — listen,
I’m sorry to say, used to be the most prestigious PLE or pay-per-view, whatever you want to call it. But to me, it’s kind of lost its luster a little bit,” said Styles.
Notably, the future WWE Hall of Famer’s remarks come amid recent criticism from Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, the company’s top stars.
Roman Spears Creative
Before WrestleMania, Reigns praised WWE President Nick Khan’s business acumen while taking an indirect shot at creative chief Paul Levesque.
“We have great leadership in Nick Khan. God bless him, what a businessman. He’s a genius. But we have to be able to keep up with that creatively,” Reigns told Pat McAfee. He also advised young talent to “get over, kids.”
Of the three concerns raised, Reigns’ comments seem the messiest because they also tie into his character’s presentation, even if he raises a fair concern about whether younger talent is being properly groomed to replace him, Rhodes, or CM Punk.
Cody’s Cry to Corporate
By comparison, Rhodes has taken a more measured tone. During interviews with Bert Kreischer and Jey Uso, he’s suggested increasing house shows to build camaraderie, sharpen skills, and strengthen company culture.
Rhodes’ point is a sound professional argument, one Levesque may even share. Instead, Rhodes’ comments could be aimed at WWE’s parent company, TKO, and its president and COO, Mark Shapiro, who, in 2024, dismissed house shows, saying, “we don’t need to carry these marginally profitable events.”
If internal appeals have stalled, in that case, speaking out, as Rhodes did, may be a necessary evil.
AJ’s Luster Bluster
As for AJ Styles, he dropped a brutal soundbite about WrestleMania losing its luster and simply left it there. The timing doesn’t help, as tickets for this year’s show are moving more slowly than expected, and discounts have surfaced despite reports that WWE planned to hold firm on ticket prices.
The issue isn’t exclusive to WrestleMania — it’s across the board, and it comes down to one thing: dilution. Today’s WWE features two of everything: two-night spectacles. Two Royal Rumble matches. Two Elimination Chamber matches. Two Money in the Bank matches. Two WarGames matches. Four world titles — two for the men and two for the women.
When everything is doubled, nothing feels special. Rotating certain match types between divisions and returning to one world champion per division could restore the shine — and the stakes — dulled by corporate greed and a creative rut.
It Ain’t Just Fans Complaining
Last year, before WrestleMania, Levesque fired back at fans and pundits, saying, “I wish I could tell people ‘fuck off’ being a critic. Be a fan. Go watch this and be a fan.”
Now that the criticism comes from inside the locker room, will he tell his talent to “fuck off” being a critic, be a wrestler, and go do this as a wrestler?
If anyone can get away with being openly critical, it’s the three men who dared to speak up now. Perhaps they’re wrong for doing so, and such issues should remain in-house. But if what they say leads to positive change, then it’s one of the rare times when breaking the rules was the right thing to do.
Sorry, Mom.
