So much Petrov at the candidates - why?

I’ve noticed that super GMs seem to love the Petrov defense against e4 these days. I’m just wondering as an intermediate level chess player what its appeal is, as I have always associated it with lower level players. What are the primary reasons for it becoming a favored weapon by top players against e4?

https://www.chess.com/article/view/caruanas-fireworks-in-the-petrov-defense

"But is this reputation justified? In my opinion, if one of the opponents wants to see blood, then there will be blood on the board!"

You could say that about any opening - whether it's your own blood or your opponent's blood is the question. I don't think anyone claimed you could not play in an audacious way against them.  

Far be it from me to nitpick at a gm's use of words, but to think he was so proud of that line that he fished it out from 10 years previously and highlighted it.  

#1
"I’ve noticed that super GMs seem to love the Petrov defense against e4 these days."
++ Yes, it is very solid. It already was the choice of Karpov against Kasparov.
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1067198 

"I’m just wondering as an intermediate level chess player what its appeal is" ++ It is solid

"I have always associated it with lower level players" ++ That is wrong.

"What are the primary reasons for it becoming a favored weapon by top players against e4"
++ It is solid. Nepo played the Petrov to beat Firouzja and Rapport with black.

Well with 2...Nc6 you attack yourself whereas with 2...Nf6 you attack your opponent.

Remember to protect your pieces if you want to attack yourself.

The Petrov Defense if played properly by black just leaves you in a drawish position, very mirrored and white is at no more advantage than what they had before move 1. E4

I think it is in order to bypass all italian/spanish preparation.

     There are fads and fashions in GM openings. Someone has a bit of success with some line and soon everyone is using it. Then comes a couple of spectacular defeats and everybody is looking for something else. Maybe a player will revive a line that was eclipsed 30 years ago, but no one knows it anymore--a lot of times such lines, though perfectly sound, fell out of favor because other lines (now discredited) seemed to offer better prospects.

#8
All is new that is long forgotten
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1109091 

Fashion.

Chess Grandmasters are as fashion-conscious as teenage girls.

I got this,.....

Yo its cuz they KNOW THE OPENING we low level / intemediate people DONT KNOW how to play it