Can Modern Wrestling Handle "The Next Chyna"?
A house show clip recently sent the internet into a frenzy: NXT’s Myka Lockwood stepping up to CM Punk and planting him with a massive powerbomb.
Naturally, the commentary machine went into overdrive, immediately throwing around the ultimate 90s shorthand:
Is she the next Chyna?
It’s an easy comparison to make when a newcomer walks in with a towering, bodybuilding-style build and starts throwing men around. But invoking the Ninth Wonder of the World in 2026 is a massive double-edged sword.
The Trap of the "90s Aura"
Trying to manufacture a Chyna or a Goldberg today is almost impossible. Back then, you had to be live in the arena or glued to your TV to witness that kind of sheer, unbridled aura.
In today’s hyper-exposed digital ecosystem, the internet dissects every single move, botch, and booking decision before the talent even has time to breathe. Slapping a legendary label on a developing prospect sets an unfair, untouchable standard.
Let Lockwood Be Lockwood
Lockwood clearly has the physical tools and the trust of veterans like Punk to pull off high-profile spots. But instead of chasing the ghost of the Attitude Era, the smarter play is letting her carve out her own identity as a modern powerhouse.
The physical tools are there. The real question is whether modern creative has the patience to let a monster presence develop organically without burying her under impossible comparisons.
