Wrestling wouldn’t exist without its fans. Wrestlers dedicate years to honing their craft to entertain audiences, but fans have the right to voice their critiques if the show isn’t meeting expectations or crossing certain lines on TV. Sometimes, this criticism is beneficial. For instance, Gunther was mainly performing under the name Gunther Stark on television until fan backlash pushed WWE to reconsider. Similarly, if fans hadn’t booed The Rock heavily in 2024, Cody Rhodes might not have clinched the undisputed WWE Championship.
Triple H
WWE’s current head booker
Triple H stirred controversy in April 2025 when he directed criticism toward internet wrestling fans during an interview with Andrew Schulz and Peter Rosenberg. He pointed out that fans often try to spot flaws and dissect every detail of the product, which he feels isn’t the right approach. Schulz’s Flagrant Podcast echoed a similar sentiment, stating, "the internet is not real life," implying that fans’ perceptions can differ from reality. Triple H urged fans to enjoy wrestling from the perspective of entertainment rather than as harsh critics.
CM Punk
A vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights
CM Punk typically handles fan interactions well but sometimes finds them uncomfortable, a problem many wrestlers face, especially female wrestlers who experience overly personal and sometimes unsafe fan behavior. Punk has publicly stood up to fans online who question his support for transgender individuals. He has been a consistent LGBTQ+ ally, often displaying flags and symbols during matches. In 2023, he responded strongly to critics accusing him of not being supportive enough since joining WWE and has a history of fiercely confronting homophobic comments, including telling a homophobic fan to “kill himself” back in 2012.
Rhea Ripley
One of the most accomplished female wrestlers today
Women wrestlers often endure significant bullying from male fans, facing sexist remarks and online harassment. Though Rhea Ripley is highly popular, she also attracts considerable dislike. In May, she addressed these issues on Twitter, highlighting the hypocrisy of fans who claim to support women’s wrestling but still engage in sexist behavior. Her comments underscore ongoing challenges female wrestlers face in earning respect equal to their male counterparts.
Baron Corbin
Former WWE United States Champion
Life can change abruptly, as WWE wrestlers know too well when they’re unexpectedly released despite the company’s financial success. Fans struggle with these layoffs, which are part of WWE’s business strategy, but frustration grows when they begin declaring which wrestlers deserve to keep their jobs. Recently, Baron Corbin called out fans who want Ava, the NXT GM and Rock’s daughter, to be fired. Corbin criticized those fans for being unprofessional, emphasizing that these calls to release certain wrestlers create unnecessary drama. This isn’t unique to Ava, as many wrestlers face fan demands for their removal simply because they’re not seen as TV-worthy.
Fan Take:
This discussion highlights the complex relationship between wrestling fans and performers, revealing how fan influence shapes WWE’s decisions on talent and storytelling. For the sport, understanding and respecting this dynamic is crucial as it affects wrestler morale, company policies, and ultimately the entertainment quality fans crave.
