There seems to be a new trend happening in WWE. That is, WWE Superstars are using social media to send powerful messages despite their character typically doing the opposite.
Back in the day, this would have been called breaking kayfabe. If a character were to drop their gimmick to talk to fans or send a message, it was frowned upon. Today, it appears to be the newest trend in WWE as Superstars are taking to social media to share heartfelt messages of understanding, acceptance and cover issues like cyber-bullying and hatred.
Bray Wyatt was the first to do so when he wrote, "You have no idea how much a simple, thoughtless comment on social media can directly affect the person you are sending it to." He was referring to messages he'd been receiving from fans about a character he'd worked extremely hard to create. He urged the WWE Universe to, "Be better.... it could save a life." Not exactly something you'd hear from The Fiend.
Lana is the latest to follow in Wyatt's footsteps, taking to Twitter and writing, "People have told me I’m not athletic, I’m not a good wrestler, I’m not a star, I’m ugly, and I proved everyone wrong by main eventing Monday Night Raw and WINNING !!!" She then said that she sees herself as a role model for children that they shouldn't listen to those who try to hold them back or keep them down. Instead, "passionately pursue your dreams!"
Lana Deserves Some Credit
As most know from watching Raw over the past many weeks, Lana is playing a character on television that fans are supposed to hate. She's grating and annoying and hard to watch at times but she's hitting it out of the park, doing exactly what a heel should do and improving WWE's ratings and YouTube hits along the way.
It will be interesting to see if other wrestlers take to following this trend. Don't expect them to come out and complain that fans are booing, after all that's the job of a heel (to get boos) but if fans are trashing the work people are doing or the creative they've put their soul into, we might see more of this.
And, I agree. Fans need to know when to draw the line. Comment and critique the product. Leave your comments about the performers as people out of it.
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