The combination of creative storytelling, pushing the envelope with risque storylines and these gimmick-based superstars resulted in WWE creating megastars like The Rock and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin as WWE transcended pro wrestling and became a pop culture phenomenon. Yet, that hasn't prevented WWE from recently changing its tune on the portrayal of its superstars and bringing back more characters with over-the-top gimmicks. In recent years, WWE had shifted away from most niche-based gimmicks in favor of more realistic superstars. Other gimmick-based stars are thriving as well. Where WWE is going with its sudden newfound obsession with Wyatt, Zayn and other clearly distinguishable gimmicks is anyone's guess but at a time when WWE's audience is shrinking by the week, it's worth the risk and seems to be working.

Source: Forbes May 17, 2019 11:26 UTC