10 Wrestlers Who Used to Be Loved But Are Now HATED
Professional wrestling is a form of entertainment that often sees wrestlers going through various phases of popularity with the audience. While some wrestlers manage to maintain their fan base throughout their careers, others experience a drastic shift in the way they are perceived by the audience. In this article, we will take a look at 10 wrestlers who were once loved by the fans but are now widely despised.
1. John Cena
John Cena was once the face of the WWE and enjoyed immense popularity among fans of all ages. However, as his character became more predictable and his in-ring abilities were questioned, Cena started to receive backlash from the audience. Many fans grew tired of his “Superman” persona and began to boo him relentlessly, leading to a significant portion of the audience turning against him.
2. Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns was pushed as the next big star in WWE, but his forced push and perceived preferential treatment by the company led to fans turning on him. Despite WWE’s efforts to get him over as a babyface, Reigns was met with loud boos and jeers from the audience, making him one of the most polarizing figures in recent wrestling history.
3. Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins was once one of the most beloved wrestlers in WWE, with his impressive in-ring skills and compelling storylines endearing him to fans. However, a series of controversial social media posts and questionable behavior behind the scenes have turned many fans against him. Rollins is now seen as arrogant and out of touch by a significant portion of the audience.
4. Charlotte Flair
Charlotte Flair is widely regarded as one of the best female wrestlers in the world, but her frequent title reigns and constant presence in the title picture have led to fans growing tired of her. Many fans feel that Flair is overexposed and that other female talent in WWE deserve a chance to shine. This has resulted in a backlash against Flair, with many fans now actively rooting against her.
5. Goldberg
Goldberg was once an unstoppable force in WCW, but his return to WWE in recent years has not been as warmly received. Many fans feel that Goldberg’s part-time schedule and quick victories at the expense of younger talent have tarnished his legacy. Goldberg is now seen as a nostalgia act rather than a legitimate top star by many fans.
6. Randy Orton
Randy Orton has been a mainstay in WWE for over a decade, but his character has become stagnant in recent years. Many fans feel that Orton relies too heavily on his established reputation and does not put in the effort to evolve his character. This has led to a decline in Orton’s popularity, with fans now viewing him as a predictable and uninspired performer.
7. The Miz
The Miz was once a despised heel who eventually won over fans with his hard work and dedication to his craft. However, in recent years, The Miz’s in-ring performances have been lackluster, and many fans feel that he is being pushed at the expense of more deserving talent. The Miz is now seen as an overrated performer by a significant portion of the audience.
8. Nia Jax
Nia Jax was once hailed as a trailblazer for women’s wrestling, but her reckless in-ring work and perceived lack of improvement have turned many fans against her. Jax’s reputation for injuring her opponents and her perceived lack of respect for the business have made her a widely disliked figure among wrestling fans.
9. Baron Corbin
Baron Corbin was once a promising young talent with a unique character, but WWE’s insistence on pushing him as a top heel has led to fans turning on him. Many fans feel that Corbin’s character is stale and one-dimensional, and his constant presence in high-profile storylines has led to a backlash against him. Corbin is now seen as an overexposed and uninteresting performer by a significant portion of the audience.
10. Bray Wyatt
Bray Wyatt’s character work and storytelling ability were once praised by fans and critics alike, but his inconsistent booking and stop-start pushes have led to fans growing frustrated with him. Wyatt’s supernatural character has also been criticized for being too cartoonish and lacking depth. This has resulted in a decline in Wyatt’s popularity, with many fans now viewing him as a wasted talent.
In conclusion, professional wrestling is an ever-changing industry where fan perception can shift rapidly. The wrestlers mentioned in this article were once loved by the fans but have since fallen out of favor for various reasons. Whether it be due to creative missteps, backstage controversies, or simply a lack of evolution in their characters, these wrestlers have all experienced a dramatic shift in the way they are viewed by the audience.