5 similarities between the WWE and the UFC

I’m not talking about the sports of pro-wrestling and mixed martial arts here but rather their biggest promotions – the UFC and the WWE respectively. While it may seem like the two companies have nothing to do with each other except for the occasional crossover event, there are actually quite a few similarities between them.

Describing the two promotions, Brock Lesnar, a big name in both the worlds of pro-wrestling and MMA, said that they are basically the same racket. Even WWE legend Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart described them as being the same thing, and both men have a very valid point.

So today we dive into the inner workings of both promotions and we see just how similar they are. So, without further ado, here are five similarities between the WWE and the UFC:

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#1 One man books the fights

Fighters need the green light from White to get the bouts they want (PC: MMA Weekly)

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Vince McMahon and Dana White are possibly two of the most controlling people in the promotion business, which is possibly why they’re successful.

In the WWE, Vince has the final say on everything. From whether Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows pick up the Raw Tag-Team Titles on the Royal Rumble preshow to if Randy Orton is going win the Rumble match itself. Sure, he has a creative team helping him but the fact of the matter is, everything needs to be Vince approved.

It’s not quite the same monopoly in the UFC but even after the mega-money acquisition by WME-IMG, there is a reason Dana White was allowed to continue as the main man – No one else knows the MMA booking game like he does.

No one gets the fight they want in the UFC without getting the green light from Dana.

#2 They were both built on the pay-per-view model

The PPV model has been a highly successful one

The WWE made a name for itself starting in the mid-1980s and Vince McMahon realised that the best way to capitalise on this gaining popularity was to adopt a pay-per-view (PPV) model.

And, what a decision it turned out to be as the WWE became the biggest name in pro wrestling, following the Monday Night Wars with WCW, the PPV model is what elevated the promotion into the stratosphere.

The UFC, on the other hand, did not pioneer anything like the PPV model but just decided to go the WWE route and adopt the model Vince made famous. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking another’s idea if it fits your requirements and that’s exactly what Dana While and co have thrived on.

Sure, the WWE has recently moved away from PPVs to concentrate on the WWE Network, but there’s no denying what made it the global giant it is today. The UFC is still going strong with their PPVs after selling a record number for the Conor McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez fight card at UFC 205.

#3 Incredible video teams

This is where all the magic happens

Perhaps the most underappreciated people in both promotions are the guys who handle the video packages for the WWE and the UFC. One of the best ways to build up a fight is with a great video promo and this is an art that the pro-wrestling giants have perfected through years of experience.

Seriously, the WWE would not be what it is today without their incredible video team. The one thing every fight needs is hype and there is no better way to build hype than through a well-worked video package and the WWE team have delivered PPV after PPV.

The UFC’s video team aren’t as good simply because they haven’t been around as long. But, they’re catching up at breakneck speed. Seriously, the video promos for the entirety of UFC 205 is the stuff of legends and played a huge role in making the event what it was.

Again I reiterate, the most underappreciated teams in both promotions are the video guys.

#4 Titles don’t mean as much as they should

Nunes felt incredibly disrespected in the buildup to her fight against Ronda Rousey

This is one of the negatives associated with both promotions. Lack of respect towards a Championship is something that has been plaguing the WWE for years and now it seems like the UFC is destined to go down the same path.

For a long long time now, the WWE has struggled with getting its titles to mean as much as they should. From bad booking to terrible belt designs and everything in between, a lot of legitimacy has been lost. Hopefully, they can set this right soon.

One can see that the UFC is in danger of committing the same mistakes if some of their recent decisions are scrutinised.

Giving Conor McGregor a shot at Eddie Alvarez’s belt when the Irishman hadn’t defended his own belt for a year. McGregor getting a shot over both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson. Building all the hype around Ronda Rousey even though her opponent, Amanda Nunes, was actually the Champion.

You can see what I’m getting at. This is something both promotions need to address.

#5 Both promotions try to push their favourites

Need I say more?

A “push” in pro-wrestling terms is to give a certain wrestler huge momentum by booking him to overcome the odds and always come on top. Exhibit A: John Cena. Exhibit B: Roman Reigns.

The WWE has often been criticised for pushing those who Vince McMahon thinks should be the face of the company. It has come to bite them in the rear, especially in recent times with the open hatred of Roman Reigns.

While not as blatant as the WWE, since the result of matches can’t be pre-determined, the UFC also has this nasty habit. McGregor’s free-reign is a good example. Another great example is their Golden Girl, Ronda Rousey, who received a title shot on return despite sitting out of the sport for well over a year.

It’s time both promotions learned that this is a good way to alienate fans and the sooner they stop, the better.

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