Pulling Back the Curtain: WWE’s Unreal Sparks Industry Debate
As WWE prepares to release its behind-the-scenes docuseries WWE: Unreal on Netflix later this month, the project has sparked a wide range of responses from figures within the wrestling industry. The series, which promises to pull back the curtain on the company’s creative process, talent meetings, and production decisions, has drawn both criticism and cautious interest from longtime veterans.
One of the most outspoken critics is WWE Hall of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Speaking on his podcast The Snake Pit, Roberts expressed concern that the series could damage the mystique that professional wrestling relies on to connect with its audience. He called the project “foolish” and questioned whether any financial gain would be worth the potential long-term harm to the industry. “I don’t think that product will ever warrant enough money being made for the damage that it’ll do,” Roberts said. “You’re taking the mystery away. And once you take the mystery away, people lose interest.”
Former WWE Champion Steve Austin has also voiced skepticism. In comments reported by The Times of India, Austin stated that he was “not happy” with the idea of exposing the inner workings of WWE’s creative process, suggesting that doing so could diminish the impact of the storytelling and break the suspension of disbelief that fans expect.
Legendary broadcaster Jim Ross offered a more measured perspective. In remarks shared by Wrestling News Source, Ross acknowledged the mixed opinions surrounding the series but urged people to wait until they’ve seen the final product before forming conclusions. “It’s hard to judge something when you haven’t seen the final product,” Ross said. “There are always strong opinions about protecting the business, and I understand that, but I’ll reserve my thoughts until I see the full series.”
Behind the scenes, some WWE talent were reportedly surprised by the content included in the show’s promotional materials. According to Wrestling Headlines, early trailers for the series featured footage of backstage planning and creative whiteboards, revealing details that some performers had not seen themselves. This has led to internal discussion among talent about the level of transparency involved in the project.
WWE: Unreal is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on July 29, 2024. As the release approaches, it continues to generate debate within the wrestling world about how much is too much when it comes to revealing the inner workings of the business.