Ariel Helwani: 'The current WWE product has no soul'

That WWE is not going through its best moment is no secret. While the company was breaking revenue records, it has also been neglecting other key factors such as the creative aspect and its communion with the fans. Many even speak of a decline process during the TKO regime, as described by the well-known journalist Ariel Helwani in his most recent appearance on 83 Weeks with Eric Bischoff.

"I consider that the current product has no soul. I really didn't like WrestleMania. WrestleMania disappointed me, to be honest, because I love everything related to wrestling and all the pomp and circumstance surrounding WrestleMania," said Helwani.

Helwani cited John Cena's farewell tour as an example, specifically his last match, where he lost by submission to Gunther. A conclusion that many fans did not like, as could be heard that same night when Triple H was heavily booed by the audience.

"I didn't think Cena's farewell tour was good. And about his retirement match, don't even get me started. I could spend 30 minutes talking about how bad I thought it was. And I feel that time has proven me right in that aspect, because what has become of Gunther? What has become of this guy?," he asked.

Helwani pointed directly at WrestleMania XL and its main event, with Cody Rhodes' coronation to end his story and put an end to Roman Reigns' historic reign, as the highest point reached by WWE. A level that the company has not been able to match since then, thus entering a decline process that extends to the present day.

"If you ask me at what moment I felt that there was nothing more to achieve, I would say it was in that Philadelphia match (WrestleMania 40). The Philadelphia match felt like the climax, and everything that has come after has seemed like a step down," he stated.