Genuine appreciation or cheap ploy: A look at WWE’s post-match teases

With only so many premium events a year, not every city will get to host a WWE spectacular.

John Cena sparked excitement in the wrestling world at last year’s Money in the Bank in London by suggesting WWE host WrestleMania in the city. With the 2024 WrestleMania location confirmed and rumors swirling about 2025’s host cities, many saw Cena and WWE’s move as a possible attempt to divert attention from All Elite Wrestling’s London event, All In, later that summer.

As it turns out, this is just what WWE does.

After his first title defense during this year’s United Kingdom tour, the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes spoke to fans in Birmingham, England, stating, “The United Kingdom deserves a WrestleMania.” Days before WWE’s events in France for SmackDown and Backlash, Cody Rhodes echoed a similar sentiment, this time in Bologna, Italy. He encouraged fans to voice their desire for WWE to return to Italy with a Raw, SmackDown, or other premium live event. Following SmackDown in France, Rhodes told those in Lyon that if they kept their energy up through Backlash, “Who’s to say another PLE doesn’t come to France!”

Unlike past post-match routines like Hulk Hogan’s posedown or “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s beer bath that left fans rabid, modern fan favorites typically end WWE live events with a brief thank-you to the audience and a promise to return. While this plain but kind gesture is usually well-received, recent post-match speeches include teases of WrestleMania or other premium events. While this could be WWE’s way of gauging fan interest, if left unfulfilled, it may come across as a cheap attempt to gain additional favor from the audience.

Unfortunately, this tactic consistently works. The hero prevails, the people rejoice, and the audience roars when the beloved star hints at a bigger show in the future. However, once the event ends, the locals may or may not be any closer to hosting a major event, as economics, not cheers, will likely determine if such teases will become reality.

While this strategy currently achieves the desired response from audiences, WWE, from its management to its performers, should heed the advice to “underpromise and overdeliver.” With only 12 months and as many premium events in a given year, it might be wiser for WWE to set modest expectations and exceed them rather than tease or over-promise and risk disappointment. Over time, audiences may catch on and grow weary of these tactics, potentially choosing to skip future shows, aware that they’ll only be met with faint praise and false hope by the end of the night.