Three Count | Is WWE now relying on the UFC to remain relevant? Bringing in MMA stars seems a short-term fix
- World Wrestling Entertainment once ruled the planet and its stars were household names
- Now the pro wrestling empire is resorting to snagging retired UFC fighters to keep fans and covet the elusive millennial generation
During the turn of the 21st century, WWE was peak entertainment.
Amid its “Attitude Era”, World Wrestling Entertainment, then known as the WWF, had re-branded itself as a more edgier form of professional wrestling with the likes of D-Generation X and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Amid a ratings battle with rivals WCW, WWE captured the imagination of the public everywhere and its stars were household names.
Austin was an international celebrity and DX’s signature move had kids all over the world doing the “crotch chop” and yelling “suck it” virtually every chance they could get. Vince McMahon’s family empire felt untouchable, like its superstars would forever be etched into the halls of our minds.
Zoom ahead almost two decades and WWE is a shell of its former self. Revenue numbers, viewership and live attendances are all down, and the sport’s biggest stars are no longer water cooler talk. A multi-million dollar deal with Saudi Arabia is just one of a few moves the company has orchestrated as of late to try and re-energise itself and expand to new markets.
One can chalk this fall up to anything – controversies, simple malaise at a product pushed into people’s faces for an extended amount of time with little competition, or the proven fact that what goes up, must come down.
