Former WWE wrestler Maven Huffman has released a new YouTube video titled “WWE Has a Problem”, where he breaks down why he no longer watches the company that once made his childhood dream come true.
Maven began by admitting that while wrestling defined much of his life, he now actively avoids WWE programming. The first issue he highlighted was how “corporate” and commercialized the product has become.
“These days, it feels like one big gigantic ad,” Maven said, pointing to examples like Rey Mysterio’s feud with his son Dominik being overshadowed by a Cinnamon Toast Crunch mascot at ringside. He recalled missing the simpler days when the ring apron wasn’t plastered with logos and product placements were limited to short ad breaks.
According to him, the show now feels like a constant barrage of “buy this, watch that, do this,” rather than a chance to enjoy the art of wrestling. Maven believes that advertisers have too much influence over the presentation and that it distracts from what fans should really be watching: the match itself.
Maven’s second major criticism was directed at the modern in-ring style. While he acknowledged that today’s wrestlers are “better athletes” than ever before, he feels the matches have become overly choreographed.
“When all the moves look like a pre-rehearsed dance, it’s just a little too much,” he said, noting that even casual viewers who don’t watch wrestling often have told him it now resembles a dance routine.
He explained that during his time, wrestlers were taught to listen to the crowd and adapt in real time. If something wasn’t working, they’d change course mid-match – something he feels is missing from today’s hyper-polished product.
Maven also tackled a controversial topic: Vince McMahon’s absence. While he made it clear he does not condone McMahon’s alleged misconduct or think WWE should bring him back, Maven argued that the company lost something when Vince stepped aside.
He praised McMahon as both a businessman and a lifelong wrestling fan who understood how to build storylines and connect with audiences. In contrast, Maven feels that WWE’s new corporate owners, TKO Group Holdings, prioritize profit and presentation over passion and storytelling.
“It almost looks too clean these days – more like Cirque du Soleil in a wrestling ring rather than a real fight,” he said, adding that the show has become “too glam” and has lost the gritty, emotional edge that once defined it.
Still, Maven gave credit to WWE’s Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, saying he’s doing a great job within his constraints. He believes Triple H would likely prefer a more organic, fan-driven approach but is limited by corporate oversight.
Maven admitted that even if WWE returned to the style he loved, he still wouldn’t watch. The reason, he said, is deeply emotional.
Since his release from WWE in 2005, Maven confessed to harboring bitterness toward the business. Watching wrestling, he explained, triggers memories of what could have been – moments that remind him of his own unfulfilled potential.
“It just hurts too much,” he said. “It’s hard to see a business I love move on – and be better off without me.”
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