Ariel Helwani Calls WWE Under TKO ‘Soulless,’ Slams the John Cena Retirement Tour

MMA broadcaster and longtime wrestling fan Ariel Helwani appeared on the latest edition of 83 Weeks, where he heavily critiqued the WWE product, calling it “soulless.” Helwani noted a downturn in the WWE product under TKO following WrestleMania 40, where he feels it hit a peak following a steep decline.

Helwani also shared his criticism of the John Cena Retirement tour, which he didn’t think was good either. Helwani previously slammed the finish of the match last December, not caring for Cena giving up against Gunther. Below are some highlights (via F4WOnline.com):

Ariel Helwani on the Current WWE Product Being Soulless and John Cena’s Retirement Tour

“I find the product right now soulless. I really did not like WrestleMania. WrestleMania really, it upset me, to be honest, because I adore everything about wrestling, and I adore the pomp and circumstance that comes with WrestleMania. The Cena retirement tour, I didn’t think was good. The Cena retirement match, don’t get me started on that. I could do 30 minutes just on how bad I thought that was. And I feel like I’ve been vindicated when it comes to that one, because what has become of Gunther? What has become of this guy?”

On WWE’s Product Starting to Decline After WrestleMania 40

“If you were to ask me where I kind of felt like there’s nothing left, it was that Philadelphia [WrestleMania 40] match. The Philadelphia match felt like the apex, and everything since then has felt a little less than.”

Ariel Helwani previously made an appearance at WWE Elimination Chamber 2023 in Montreal.