Is WWE Still Relevant?
Contents
Is WWE Still Relevant?
The WWE has been around for decades and is one of the most popular professional wrestling organizations in the world. But with the rise of other companies like UFC and Bellator, is WWE still relevant?
Introduction
Once upon a time, pro wrestling was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world. Today, however, it seems to have fallen out of favor with many people. So the question is: is WWE still relevant?
To answer this question, we need to first understand what made WWE so popular in the first place. Wrestling is, at its core, a form of entertainment that combines sports and theater. It tells stories of good vs. evil, conflict and resolution, all within the context of a physical competition. This mix of genres is what has always made pro wrestling so captivating for audiences.
In recent years, however, WWE has faced stiff competition from other forms of entertainment that offer similar mixes of genres. Movies, television shows, and video games all offer ways to escape reality and experience thrillingly emotional stories. As a result, WWE’s audience has steadily declined over the years.
That said, WWE is still relevant in today’s entertainment landscape. It may not be as popular as it once was, but it still has a dedicated fanbase that enjoys its unique mix of genres. So even though it’s not as popular as it used to be, WWE is still relevant in today’s entertainment world.
WWE’s Financial Struggles
Since the early 2000s, WWE has been in a bit of a decline. In 2000, the company was at its absolute peak. The Attitude Era was in full swing and WWE was making more money than ever before. However, things started to go downhill from there. The company began to experience financial struggles in the mid-2000s and has been slowly declining ever since.
WWE’s financial struggles are well-documented. In 2007, the company lost $5 million. In 2008, they lost $24 million. And in 2009, they lost $56 million. Things have not gotten any better since then. In 2013, WWE’s operating income was down to just $14 million. And in 2014, it was down to just $5 million. To put things into perspective, WWE made $120 million in operating income in 2011. So, their recent numbers are quite alarming.
One of the main reasons for WWE’s financial struggles is their declining TV ratings. In the early 2000s, WWE was averaging around 5 million viewers per week on their flagship show, Monday Night RAW. However, those numbers have steadily declined over the years and RAW is now averaging around 3 million viewers per week. This is a very big problem for WWE because they rely heavily on TV ratings to generate revenue.
Another reason for WWE’s financial struggles is the fact that they have been unable to attract new fans in recent years. The average WWE fan is now 42 years old and has been watching wrestling for an average of 18 years. This is actually up from 17 years in 2013 and 16 years in 2012. This means that WWE is not attracting new fans and their core fanbase is slowly getting older each year.
WWE’s financial struggles are very real and they are having a hard time attracting new fans and generating revenue.
WWE’s Creative Struggles
In terms of ratings and live attendance, WWE is still relevant. The company is averaging around 3 million viewers per week on television, which is on par with what they were averaging a decade ago. In terms of live attendance, WWE regularly sells out arenas all over the world.
However, WWE has been having creative struggles as of late. The company has been struggling to come up with new and innovative storylines that will captivate their audience. As a result, WWE’s ratings have been declining in recent years.
In addition, WWE has been facing increased competition from other wrestling companies such as Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling. These companies have been able to sign away some of WWE’s top talent, which has led to a decline in the quality of WWE’s programming.
Despite these creative struggles, WWE is still one of the most popular wrestling companies in the world and is not in danger of going out of business anytime soon.
WWE’s Television Struggles
The WWE’s main product is still live television, and that’s where it has been struggling as of late. In the all-important 18-49 demographic that the WWE covets, RAW has been on a steady decline since 2016. In fact, 2018 was the first year in the history of RAW that the show failed to average over three million viewers in the 18-49 demographic. And while 2019 did see a slight uptick in RAW’s ratings, it was still down significantly from just a few years ago.
SmackDown’s ratings have been more stable, but it too has seen a decline in recent years. In fact, SmackDown’s move to FOX last year was largely seen as an attempt to stem the tide of declining ratings. And while SmackDown’s ratings have been better than RAW’s as of late, it too is down from where it was just a few years ago.
The bottom line is that WWE’s television product is struggling and has been for some time. This is likely due to a combination of factors including declining interest in pro wrestling among younger fans, increased competition from other entertainment options, and perhaps even overexposure due to the WWE’s relentless TV schedule. Whatever the reasons, it’s clear that WWE’s television product is not as strong as it once was.
WWE’s Live Event Struggles
While WWE’s live event struggles have been well-documented, the company is still relevant in the pop culture landscape. WWE has managed to remain relevant by continuing to produce entertaining content and by signing new talent to keep its product fresh. While WWE may not be as popular as it once was, it is still one of the most recognizable brands in the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that WWE is still relevant in today’s society. While its ratings have declined in recent years, the company is still making a significant profit. In addition, WWE has a large and passionate fan base that continues to support the product. While the company faces some challenges, there is no doubt that it is still a relevant force in the world of sports entertainment.