Has “What?” and “Get the Tables!” Worn Out Their Welcome in Professional Wrestling?

Professional wrestling has always been a medium where crowd interaction defines the atmosphere. Chants aren’t just background noise—they’re part of the performance. But as wrestling evolves, not every chant ages gracefully. Among the most persistent—and polarizing—are “What?” and “Get the Tables!” While both originated from iconic performers and captured the spirit of their eras, the question in 2025 is simple: Have they finally worn out their welcome?

The Origins of Iconic Chants

The “What?” chant, famously introduced by Stone Cold Steve Austin in 2001, initially served

as a playful tool to mock opponents and interrupt promos. It became an audience reflex, punctuating every pause with robotic regularity. For a time, it was revolutionary—disruptive, funny, and rebellious, much like Austin himself.

“Get the Tables!” owes its fame to the Dudley Boyz, especially Bubba Ray Dudley’s command to D-Von. In the late '90s and early 2000s, it symbolized chaos, violence, and the ECW ethos. A table spot wasn't just about furniture—it was about fan satisfaction and the anticipation of mayhem.

The Case for Retirement

1. “What?” as a Promo Killer

In 2025, the “What?” chant often derails otherwise powerful promos. Younger or international talents struggle to maintain rhythm or narrative coherence when faced with the unpredictable cadence of fans shouting “What?” after every sentence. In emotional or serious storylines, the chant feels like a tonal mismatch—a relic of Attitude Era irreverence interrupting modern storytelling that leans into nuance, character depth, and emotional complexity.

When The Undertaker himself called the chant “disrespectful,” it spoke volumes. What once added to the chaos now often strips away the gravity from hard-fought promos, especially for heels trying to build heat organically.

2. “Get the Tables!” in a Post-Dudley Landscape

While less intrusive than “What?”, the “Get the Tables!” chant lingers as a nostalgic callback more than a genuine fan demand. Without the Dudley Boyz on the active roster, the chant has lost its connective tissue. Unless a table spot is imminent or a tag team explicitly references the Dudleys, it comes across as performative nostalgia rather than organic hype.

Moreover, overreliance on table spots as crowd-pleasing payoffs can undercut the storytelling of modern wrestling, where stipulations and violence are used more sparingly and symbolically. Not every tag match—or women’s segment—needs to involve wood splinters just to pop the crowd.

Why These Chants Still Hang Around

It’s easy to critique these chants, but their staying power isn’t accidental. Wrestling is as much about tradition and memory as it is about innovation. Chants like “What?” give long-time fans a way to signal their lineage. “Get the Tables!” is a moment of collective joy, where fans remember when tag teams felt like forces of destruction.

They also serve as accessible entry points for casual fans. Not everyone follows intricate long-term storytelling. But anyone can shout “What?” and feel involved.

A Better Way Forward

Rather than banish these chants outright, the better question might be: how can promotions and performers adapt to—or outsmart—them?

• Heels like Kevin Owens or MJF have cleverly manipulated the “What?” chant to turn the crowd’s weapon into a comedic or rhetorical device. That's evolution, not extinction.

• Promotions can build fresh chant-worthy catchphrases or ritual moments, like LA Knight’s “Yeah!” or Seth Rollins' singalong entrances—proof that new chants can take hold.

• Use nostalgia more selectively. Bring back “Get the Tables!” for a special Dudley appearance or when a modern team honors their legacy—not every hardcore spot.

  
  

Final Bell: Time to Pass the Mic

Wrestling thrives on evolution. As the industry pushes toward new narratives, diverse voices, and more global storytelling, the audience’s role must evolve too. Chants should enhance—not hijack—the experience.

So yes, “What?” and “Get the Tables!” have arguably run their course as default reactions. They deserve respect for what they were. But if wrestling is to grow, it’s time to build new audience rituals—ones that reflect today’s performers, stories, and style.

The mic is open. What chant comes next?

Join the Conversation: What do you think? Are “What?” and “Get the Tables!” still fun, or do they distract from the show? Let us know on X @themidpodcast