Former WWE star Maven isn’t shy about how he feels when it comes to modern wrestling—and according to him, today’s product has lost its edge.
In a new video on his YouTube channel, Maven took a direct shot at how polished and overproduced wrestling has become, comparing it to a stage show rather than a fight. He recalled watching wrestling recently with someone who wasn’t even a fan, and their first reaction stuck with him, “That looks like a dance.”
That comment launched Maven into a deeper reflection about how the wrestling business has drifted away from its gritty roots.
“To the performers—I know the time, I know the work you put into it, and I don’t blame you. I just blame a product that has moved in the completely wrong direction.”
Maven admitted he’s likely in the minority with his opinion but stood by it, saying that wrestling used to be driven by crowd reaction.
“I came up in a time when, in the ring, you listened… If you stuck with what you had planned and it wasn’t working, you were going to get your ass chewed the moment you got backstage. And the first person to chew your ass was definitely Vince McMahon.”
He acknowledged the serious allegations against McMahon and said he’s not advocating for his return—but he also credited Vince with being a true fan who built the business from the ground up.
“Now, I don’t think professional wrestling is a better product without Vince at the helm… Vince was a fan. He grew up watching his dad, and he grew up knowing how to put shows together.”
Maven pointed out that under the current TKO ownership, the focus seems to lean more toward money than the passion of the product.
“I don’t know who the decision-makers are at TKO, but sometimes I feel as though their main driving force is the almighty dollar before the showmanship of professional wrestling.”
Even though he believes Triple H is doing his best, Maven feels that today’s wrestling is too clean, too flashy, and missing that raw fight energy that once defined the business.
“It almost looks too much like Cirque du Soleil in a wrestling ring rather than a real fight—a bad guy versus a good guy.”
He wrapped his thoughts by speculating that if Triple H had full control, things would probably look very different.
“I guarantee you, Hunter would change and go back to when wrestling shows were more fan-driven—listening to the audience… and probably get away from all the glitz, glam, and 15-minute entrances.”
Maven’s take is blunt and unapologetic, just like his in-ring style used to be. Whether fans agree or not, he’s sparked a debate about whether wrestling should return to its more rugged roots.
Do you agree that modern wrestling is too polished and lacks grit? Was WWE better with Vince Mc Mahon in charge? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
