VVince Russo Blasts WWE for Using Wrestlers’ Families in Promos

Vince Russo has taken aim at WWE‘s increasingly common habit of referencing wrestlers’ families in promos, calling the trend one of the lowest forms of storytelling currently being deployed on WWE programming. Speaking on his The Brand podcast, Russo singled out recent examples involving Drew McIntyre and AJ Lee as particularly egregious.

“Then I saw Drew McIntyre telling Aldis, ‘Your son Donovan should be ashamed.’ Then you’ve got AJ Lee telling Becky, ‘I’m your daughter’s favorite wrestler.’ This is the lamest. This is the lowest level,” Russo said. The former WWE head writer argued that invoking real family members — especially children — cheapens the storytelling rather than deepening it, reducing what should be compelling character-driven drama to what he views as easy, formulaic heat.

CM Punk’s Roman Reigns Promo Involving Sika Takes WWE’s Family Angle to a New Extreme

The debate around family-based WWE promos has intensified further in the wake of CM Punk’s latest escalation in his feud with Roman Reigns. Punk vowed to “bury” Reigns next to his late father Sika in a promo that pushed the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in WWE storytelling. Punk and Reigns are scheduled to meet for Punk’s World Heavyweight Championship in what is expected to be the Night Two main event of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Whether the use of family in these storylines ultimately adds emotional depth or simply generates controversy without substance is a debate that shows no signs of slowing down heading into the Show of Shows.