The WWE YouTube channel is a leading platform for fans to access highlights, promos, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, drawing millions of viewers globally. Despite its popularity, some videos have attracted overwhelming negative reactions, primarily due to controversial storylines and match outcomes, including those involving key figures like Cody Rhodes.
This article explores the five most disliked videos on WWE’s YouTube channel, analyzing the reasons that fueled fan dissatisfaction and backlash.
Jey Uso’s Quick Victory and Clash with Gunther Draws Criticism
Among the most criticized clips is the March 17 episode of Raw where Jey Uso defeated Austin Theory in less than a minute and fended off Gunther in a prelude to their WrestleMania 41 showdown. This video has garnered 726,000 views, with dislikes outnumbering likes significantly at 91,000 to 17,000.
At that time, WWE was heavily promoting Jey Uso after his Royal Rumble win and upcoming World Heavyweight title match against Gunther. Fans reacted negatively, partly because Austin Theory’s popularity made the one-sided loss less palatable.
Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Title Triumph at WrestleMania Stirs Mixed Reactions
Another heavily disliked segment highlights Jey Uso’s victory over Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship on the first night of WrestleMania 41. The moment marked Jey’s first WWE World title and second singles championship overall. It has surpassed 2 million views, with 116,000 dislikes contrasting against 45,000 likes, reflecting divided fan opinions regarding the title change.
Cody Rhodes’ Win Over Drew McIntyre Spurs Controversy and Dislike Surge
Cody Rhodes appears next for reclaiming the Undisputed WWE Title from Drew McIntyre during SmackDown highlights ahead of WrestleMania 42. This match, documented as the start of Rhodes’s third reign, has attracted 1.4 million views, but it also incurred 179,000 dislikes compared to 36,000 likes. Unlike other entries, this video faced allegations of artificial dislike inflation driven by bots, intensifying the debate within the fanbase.
Randy Orton’s Controversial Segment with Triple H Remains Highly Viewed and Debated
The list also includes a contentious moment from March 23, 2009, on Monday Night Raw, where Randy Orton kissed an unconscious Stephanie McMahon to provoke Triple H, who was handcuffed. This segment, part of their WrestleMania 25 feud, stirred criticism for its depiction of non-consensual behavior. Despite this, it remains one of WWE’s most viewed videos with 328 million views and a like-to-dislike ratio of 1.4 million likes to 209,000 dislikes.
The Rock Replaces Cody Rhodes: The Most Disliked WWE YouTube Video
At the top of the list is the February 2, 2024, SmackDown segment where The Rock replaced Cody Rhodes as Roman Reigns’ opponent for WrestleMania 40. This unexpected change caused widespread disapproval among fans, resulting in the video accumulating 6.8 million views, with dislikes massively outweighing likes—521,000 to 134,000.
The overwhelming backlash forced WWE to reverse course, reinstating Cody Rhodes in the title picture. Ultimately, Rhodes pinned Roman Reigns to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship, satisfying many fans who opposed the initial decision.
Fan Backlash Reflects Broader WWE Storytelling Challenges
The significant negative responses to these videos, especially those involving Cody Rhodes and other top stars like The Rock and Jey Uso, underline how pivotal fan reactions have become in WWE storytelling. The unexpected shifts in title matches or storylines can provoke intense debate and sometimes lead to course corrections by WWE management.
As WWE continues to innovate its programming and navigate fan expectations, the backlash around these moments signals the importance of balancing creative decisions with audience engagement. With WrestleMania 40 and subsequent events on the horizon, how WWE addresses these controversies will likely shape its future content and viewer loyalty.
