Seth Rollins has voiced his displeasure with the WWE documentary series Unreal, which is set to return for its second season on Netflix on January 20th. The first season was well-received by fans, though many wished it had lasted longer. Unreal offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at WWE, revealing booking choices and real tensions among wrestlers. One notable moment showed Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair going off script during a SmackDown promo, which visibly upset Triple H.
Rollins, a major focus of the upcoming season, will have his staged injury and his “trick of the century” involving CM Punk at SummerSlam explored. Despite many suspecting the act was fake, Rollins maintained the illusion by wearing a knee brace and working hard to keep it under wraps. Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Rollins expressed his struggle with the show’s approach, emphasizing his old-school mindset and the importance of preserving the gray area in wrestling that adds authenticity. Paul Heyman, Rollins’ former advocate, echoed these feelings by admitting he dislikes the docuseries because it breaks the traditional secrecy of the business.
CM Punk also shared his perspective, explaining that while Unreal aims to show behind-the-scenes interactions for fans—similar to shows like Hard Knocks in football—it feels strange to break the longstanding rule of keeping fans out of insider details. Other WWE talent, like Grayson Waller, criticized Unreal for potentially ruining the mystique of professional wrestling. He values the mystery and feels that revealing backstage secrets can be disrespectful to the craft.
Since the Attitude Era, kayfabe—the illusion that wrestling storylines are real—has diminished, with WWE now more akin to a Hollywood production. However, exposing internal conflicts, such as the supposed animosity between Rollins and Punk, might confuse fans about what is real and what is scripted. WWE superstars not only perform on shows like RAW and SmackDown but also deal with constant camera presence during their preparations, making their voices important to be heard.
Looking ahead, WWE might cleverly blur the lines between kayfabe and reality through Unreal’s storytelling. For example, the show will cover R-Truth’s early 2025 release and subsequent comeback, which angered fans but was later hinted at as part of the storyline by Triple H. WWE could leverage this format to create compelling narratives that keep fans guessing. Rumors of backstage discontent, like John Cena calling out Gunter during a recent main event, might also be used to build on-screen feuds. However, WWE must avoid fabricating fake drama solely for Unreal, as this could harm the company’s long-term creative integrity.
Fan Take: This tension between protecting wrestling’s mystique and embracing behind-the-scenes transparency is crucial for WWE’s future storytelling. Unreal’s approach could redefine how fans engage with the sport, but WWE must balance authenticity with the magic of kayfabe to keep the wrestling world captivating.
