JM: Addressing YOUR unpopular professional wrestling opinions

Earlier this week, the NoDQ Instagram account asked you for your unpopular wrestling opinions. And I thought to myself “self, this seems like a good idea for a column!”

But as my most loyal readers will know, I don’t like to go for the obvious. So instead of giving you my unpopular opinions (of which I’m sure I hold many), I thought it would be more fun to evaluate yours! There were a lot of comments so I won’t be able to address every single one, but I’ll try and pick a varied bunch. So, without further gilding the lily and with no more ado, I give to you: your unpopular opinions.

Gunther’s Intercontinental Championship reign is better than the World Heavyweight Championship – @carlos.michaca

Well let’s start with a doozy, shall we? This is not an unpopular opinion. I’d go as far as to say this is an incredibly popular opinion, and one which really has no place on this list. Gunther established himself as an absolute monster during an absolute monster of an intercontinental title reign, holding the belt for 666 days and defending it gallantly against all comers. This current world heavyweight run has lacked sparkle for pretty much the entire run. Just look at who he’s defended against: with the exception of Randy Orton, it’s pretty much all B+ players. Damian Priest, Sami Zayn, Finn Balor, and Jey Uso.

Bailey [sic] ain’t all that – @silverioo

Hmm… ambiguous, but I’ll take it at face value. I have to say once again: I agree; assuming “all that” means the whole package, a truly top-drawer superstar who has everything. Bayley is a great wrestler who fully deserves the title reigns and accolades she’s achieved, but she won’t be in any discussions for the Mount Rushmore of female wrestling. She’s just a tier below that. Becky Lynch at her peak popularity was “all that”, and Bayley has never quite ascended those heights.

CM Punk is nowhere near as important today as he was in 2011. Getting older means understanding he was only the alternative to bubblegum John Cena and he had a great entrance theme. – @unkle_disaronno

Ooh, CM Punk criticism, my favourite! However, again I’m forced to agree with you, and I think that’s a good thing. CM Punk in 2011 was arguably the most important thing in wrestling; I wouldn’t go as far as to say he was “only” the alternative to John Cena, that does a disservice to his talent and character. CM Punk got over because he’s an all-time great, fight me. But now? The WWE landscape is in rude health and would get by just fine without CM Punk. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a better product with him involved, but he’s no longer essential to create captivating main event storylines.

Seth Rollins and AJ Styles are better than Shawn Michaels & Brett [sic] Hart – @kydd.untouched

Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. Transplant either duo into the others era and see who succeeds. Seth Rollins and AJ Styles are fantastic superstars, fully deserving of their place in the history books, but neither of them is the guy. Can they do more in-ring than Shawn and Bret? It’s impossible to say; wrestling has moved on since the heyday of Hitman and Heartbreak. But neither Seth or AJ inspires the levels of loyalty and/or vitriol that their predecessors achieved. I 100% disagree with this opinion.

Brock Lesnar was by far the best choice to end Taker’s streak – @h.slackman

Erm… what? Slackman, if you read this, please leave a comment with your workings. Brock Lesnar was the worst choice to end Taker’s streak. He was already an established monster, giving him that accolade meant nothing. Sure, “the 1 in 21-and-1” was a nice little nickname but that’s it. I would argue Undertaker’s streak should have remained ad infinitum, but if you have to end it then use it to make a new superstar, not add to Lesnar’s already ridiculous list of achievements. Of those who actually challenged the streak, Edge is the one who made the most sense. Outside of that? Anyone with time on their side and a huge upside. The likes of McIntyre or Rhodes are obvious choices now, but back then I’d have argued for Mr. Kennedy or MVP. Heck, Jeff Hardy could’ve told a fantastic story given his history with Undertaker as a youngster. Lesnar? Terrible decision based on creating one shocking moment and foregoing any kind of storytelling post-streak.

Batista deserved the win at wm 30. The internet marks ruined his return and one final championship run for him. – @n_1_r_m_l

I love it. A perfect unpopular opinion to sink the teeth into, let’s break it down.

The internet marks didn’t ruin Batista’s return, Vince McMahon ruined Batista’s return. The WWE landscape had changed, with a vocal majority of adult fans turning against having superstars forced down their throats; by some accounts even Batista knew winning was a bad idea. The angle failed because creative refused to accept the crowd was split, and focused solely on those who would welcome Batista back. I’d argue that Batista’s return could’ve worked if they’d thrown a bone to Daniel Bryan’s fans as well. As for deserving the win at Wrestlemania 30? I can’t defend that. John Cena is the only part-time superstar I believe has genuinely earned a congratulatory run with the belt. Batista just didn’t do enough years at the top.

Dean Ambrose has always been overrated. – @Josal1324

I begrudgingly agree. When The Shield debuted I thought Ambrose was the stand-out star of the trio, and his acquisition of the United States title while Seth and Roman tagged suggested a degree of accuracy in my opinion. But I don’t feel like Ambrose/Moxley has ever quite scaled the heights in the way I expected. I understand now that he’s not my type of wrestler either (which is fine, Team AEW; it’s not a criticism) with a focus on hardcore/deathmatch style. I’ve read his autobiography, thoroughly enjoyed it, and I have huge respect for him as a person. But in my opinion, I do think he’s slightly overrated, particularly by AEW fans.

Triple H is a better booker than he ever was a wrestler – @Elbradto12

Indefensible. WWE booking is greatly improved but it isn’t perfect by a long stretch. Triple H as a wrestler? One of the greatest ring generals ever, a multi-time world champion, leader of arguably WWE’s most successful stable… Not to mention classic matches across multiple generations with The Rock, Austin, Foley and Undertaker to Cena, Edge, Jeff Hardy, Randy Orton and more. In ten years maybe there will be grounds for this as an argument but now? Not a chance.

Okay folks, that’s all we have time for today. If you enjoyed this one please let me know below; there are definitely enough comments for a follow-up!

Finally: @joey.suuave if you read this, I would love to hear more on your thought that “JBL was actually a bridge to a new generation”. Fascinating take.