I've been around long enough to learn that most "basic" techniques have a plethora of variations, different entries, slightly different finishes, adjustments of various types made in various ways.
Not only are there more advanced techniques and meta games at the higher levels of any competitive activity, but even the fundamentals get dramatically more nuanced and varied.
Wrestling is not that popular even outside the US, the IOC almost removed it from the Olympics a few years ago.
In the US, college soccer and rugby are more popular than wrestling at many schools.
It's a niche sport, and I really doubt that the US is just waiting for one shining champion to make wrestling more popular.
We already had the Schultz's. If Gardner beat Karelin by suplex instead technicality I still doubt that would have contributed to any more long term popularity for US wrestling than it already has.