Or, why WrestleMania should look more to the future, and not the past.

I was just reading this interesting article in Forbes, in which the writer points out how every WrestleMania in recent history has highlighted the same problem in WWE.

Which one, am I right? But specifically, the problem of not creating new stars. Every year, WWE tries to sell WrestleMania off names which, many would argue, come from a better time in WWE’s product. Triple H, Batista, Kurt Angle, and Brock Lesnar, just to name a few. All in matches last Sunday, none members of the active roster on WWE’s programming.

And this creates a problem. Aside from contributing to a ridiculous running time, with all the spotlights on guys whose future is not in the ring, would-be WWE megastars are left to wither in the dark.

But all this got me to thinking, what was the last WrestleMania match that you were truly, mega-excited for? Perhaps it was this year’s first ever women’s main event? Or maybe you have to look a little further back.

For me, it was John Cena vs The Rock at WrestleMania 28. I know what you’re thinking – doesn’t that completely contradict what I was saying about part-timers? Well kinda. But at the time, Cena was an active member of the WWE roster, and The Rock was just some guy people older than me cherish from a time I don’t remember.

In my eyes, he was someone who used to be a wrestler, and now makes crappy Disney films. So from my perspective, that match captured the sentiment I described above – it was a current star taking on a part-timer who had been brought in to inject a stale product with some nostalgia and mainstream star-power. And I didn’t like it.

For me, a Cena victory meant a victory for the current generation – and demonstration from WWE to look to the future.

I think it was the last time I watched a WrestleMania match on the edge of my seat, and certainly the last time I jumped out of it at the result.

Alas it wasn’t to last, but in that moment, it seemed pretty great.

So, when was the last time WrestleMania made you feel like that? I’m interested to hear to some different takes, so let me know in the comments or tweet us @TheNewplex.