WWE Evil is the first original series from the WWE and Peacock partnership, and as the title suggests, some of WWE’s biggest villains are in the spotlight. Over the course of eight episodes, names like Hulk Hogan, Sasha Banks, Randy Orton, The Miz, Stephanie McMahon, The Undertaker, Kane and Ric Flair are put under a microscope, as narrator John Cena plots their journey from WWE superstars to the ultimate villains to become. Each episode delves into the origins of their industry and how they were shaped into the villains we adore, but the episodes that get a little further to reveal the people behind the characters and their stories is when WWE Evil really succeeds, and while weaknesses vary by episode, oftentimes I can’t help but To gain new recognition for some of my favorite stars, and that can only be described as success.
WWE Evil begins with three of its strongest episodes, starting with Hulk Hollywood Hogan. Of all the stories featured in WWE Evil, Hogan’s is undoubtedly the most famous and explored, with any number of documentaries mentioning the Monday Night Wars and the battle between WWE and WCW. That’s partly why I wasn’t expecting much in the way of a new land, but that wasn’t the case pleasantly enough. WWE Evil isn’t afraid to go past the NWO climax to focus on WCW’s downfall and Hogan’s role in that meltdown, calling out some welcome and unexpected vulnerabilities from Hogan, Eric Bischoff, and more on the subject.
The Miz follows next in what ends up being one of the series’ most insightful episodes. From the introduction of The Miz on The Real World to his days of being harassed from the locker room right down to his seat on top of the A-List, fans will be the arc of their journey both outside and inside WWE, though finding the person under the front of the A-List is what stands out the most. This is quite prevalent with The Miz, since by the end of the episode you’ll have a more thorough understanding of how Mike turned into Miz and why he felt the need to create the character in the first place, as Miz was a shield in some ways for those who hated him even before he made it to WWE.
Meanwhile, an episode of Sasha Banks explores the origins of her villainous character while also revealing how intense loss in that character can take its toll over time. The same can be said for the Randy Orton episode, which showcases the star’s early days and his battles with his ego and guilt as he makes his way to the ultimate star that he is today. The stories of Banks and Orton’s rise to stardom are well-documented and the series transcends those established rhythms as well, but the team did an excellent job of featuring behind-the-scenes footage and small details to complement those established aspects of their stories to keep fans intrigued.
That goes for the series’ stellar final spotlight on Roman Reigns, which documents his early footballing days and step-by-step transformation into the major clan hub we all know today, but then again, it’s the weak moments in between those moments that really stay put. to you after the episode ends. Reigns may be the focal point, but Joe’s glimpses are the most compelling. Whether it’s his reaction to being booed after his battle with cancer or the light Usos shed on Joe’s natural affinity for being a heel, it’s endlessly cool.
There isn’t a bad episode on the set from the ones I’ve seen (the Ric Flair episode wasn’t included in the initial batch of showrunners), although the Brothers of Destruction and Stephanie McMahon episodes were the weakest. Not only are their stories per se less compelling to you, but their episodes focus more on the characters they play and the storylines they were a part of, and there’s not much scope for figuring out who’s behind it all. New conceptual art and behind-the-scenes footage add new elements to keep things fresh, but that personal connection is difficult to form, something other episodes establish early on.
WWE Evil is the perfect introduction to some of WWE’s biggest stars, although old fans will also enjoy brief but true glimpses of the people who have made these characters come to life for so long, which means no fan should miss what WWE Evil has to do with the show.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
WWE Evil now Available to stream on Peacock.
What do you think of WWE Evil? Tell us in the comments or as always you can talk about all things wrestling with me on Twitter @MattAguilarCB!
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