Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
Horror themes have always been a key inclusion in the WWE, with some of the most iconic wrestlers of all time basing their acts and personas on dark ideas. There’s no denying that horror can lead to amazing theatrics, and stars like the Undertaker have been mega crowd pleasers.
Part of the reason why horror themes are so successful in the WWE is because they’re abundant in other areas of entertainment. It’s clear that there’s a massive audience out there who love these tropes.
Horror may not be the most lucrative genre in the film industry, but it is one of the most common and enduring genres throughout entertainment. No matter where you look, you can find popular offerings that use classic horror tropes.
The online casino industry is a prime indicator of what genres are popular, and the Dreadworks slot is a great example of a horror game that’s attracted a lot of players. The title uses dark themes and jump scares to immerse players in the setting and keep them on their toes. Games like this draw on the everlasting appeal of scares, and let players test their bravery by playing them.
Part of the mass appeal of horror is that it can get the adrenaline pumping. Along with the visual experience of the entertainment on offer, it can evoke strong feelings in the body. That could be why so many people are drawn to it, and why it has been so successful in WWE.
The WWE has seen some amazing wrestlers over the years, but many of the best and most popular stars have leveraged horror to add to their appeal. The Undertaker and Kane are the best examples of how fans have gone wild for dark themes. The former, in particular, made use of visual and audio horror elements in his act. His finisher, the Tombstone, also fit perfectly with his brand.
Bray Wyatt’s The Fiend was another example of a great horror act in WWE. Although he wasn’t as legendary as the Undertaker or Kane, he brought a different type of psychological horror to the ring. From a cult leader to an iconic monster, Wyatt's characters were famously known to be eerie, intriguing and nightmarish.
The WWE brand embraces the popularity of horror in wrestling too, and frequently hosts special Halloween events such as the recent Raw Halloween Horror. The fact that the Undertaker has come out of retirement to make appearances from time to time also shows his enduring fan appeal.
A large part of WWE is the stage performance and creating characters that fans are going to love. Horror is an excellent choice for wrestlers, as it enables them to display some great theatrics. For example, having all the lights go off and then introducing some foreboding music before walking out on stage is the perfect way to get the audience excited.
Horror also allows for more surreal elements to be incorporated into the wrestling matches and can add drama to the storylines in this way. WWE is all about the soap opera, and the horror genre can allow it to push its creative boundaries more.
The great thing about the WWE is that it’s packed full of different elements that appeal to a diverse audience. Horror is one of the most successful tropes in the industry, though, as it has mass appeal and gets the adrenaline pumping.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
