4 recent times WWE attacked the independent scene

WWE is certainly dominating the pro-wrestling scenario these days. They used to have stiff competition from WCW. But since its acquisition in 2001, WWE has monopolized the business.

The Stamford-headquartered company has used the monopoly badly in recent times. Enjoying mammoth-like status, they showed ROH who the real boss is when they tried to host an event in their spiritual home-ground, the Madison Square Garden.

They even fired Jimmy Jacobs when he supposedly supported their invasion on Monday Night Raw.

Here are 4 recent times WWE destroyed the independent scene.

Also Read: 7 WWE Loyalists Who Would Fit Perfectly in NJPW

#4 The WWE United Kingdom Championship

4 Recent Times WWE Destroyed The Independent Scene — The United Kingdom Championship Tournament is a wolf in sheep's disguise

Many casual fans would say that WWE is helping the UK-based promotions by giving their wrestlers a platform to shine on their UK tournament. But if you research further, you will realize that it is not the case.

The British independent scene is in the boom right now thanks to Progress and ICW. Furthermore, British wrestling would be back on the terrestrial TV for the first time since the late 1980s. It can't be just mere coincidence that Vince McMahon and his colleagues' interest in the United Kingdom multiplied sensing their success.

Moreover, WWE has signed a lot of freelance wrestlers for their ongoing United Kingdom Championship Tournament. Luring them with money and lucrative contracts, they prevented them from participating in those promotions which have a YouTube presence or DVD sales.

On top of that, the announcement for the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament popped up amidst the World of Sport revival event on ITV. This shows that WWE envies any other promotion trying to get a hold in the United Kingdom, even if it's a homegrown one.

#3 Preventing ROH from using Madison Square Garden

As mentioned earlier, WWE just can't tolerate any other promotion hosting an event in the Madison Square Garden. And Ring of Honor learned it the hard way.

The Baltimore-based promotion had been planning to host an event in the hallowed Madison Square Garden in 2019. Furthermore, reports surfaced that they planned to conduct the show during the WrestleMania weekend.

This irked WWE a lot. They held talks with the Madison Square Garden authorities to ensure ROH don't get the platform they were craving.

Chief Operating Officer for Ring of Honor - Joe Koff had spoken to PWI’s Mike Johnson and said the following (H/T: Sescoops)

"We had a deal with (the) Garden and they then told us they were backing out after communications from the WWE. We are not able to get any other dates in any kind of discussion. I’m expecting that our lawyers will be contacting all the parties involved and the best we can hope for is that we can find resolution, and we can bring the kind of energy and excitement that ROH and our partner New Japan brings to a bigger audience and to bigger arenas to the fans of New York City.”

#2 Cease & desist orders

WWE flexed its legal muscle by handing out 'cease & desist' orders to Young Bucks and Will Ospreay for using the 'Too Sweet' hand gesture and 'Paw is War' and 'Kitty Style' catchphrases.

Mind you, this is not the first time WWE is suing others for using their trademark properties for commercial purposes. American rapper, Meek Mill, got a cease and desist letter from the WWE for using a snippet of The Undertaker’s theme song without their permission.

Many industry veterans like Kevin Nash believed that it was too harsh from the WWE. Their emulation of the "Kliq" sign didn't hamper the company's financial prospects in any manner. Nonetheless, the Young Bucks took it sportingly and released a 'Cease and Desist' shirt.

In the legal framework, what WWE did was absolutely fair. But you can't undermine this move as a well-planned technique to thwart the independent wrestlers.

#1 Firing Jimmy Jacobs

Jimmy Jacobs is a very respected wrestler and writer on the independent circuit. The former WWE writer held the ROH World Tag Team Championship 5 times and various other titles in different promotions.

So when the Bullet Club invaded Raw on the 25th of September episode, the Zombie Princess went to them after the show and posted a selfie on Instagram. Furthermore, the Bullet Club would feature them in their 'Being The Elite' episode.

This had annoyed Vince McMahon and it unleashed the Satan within him. Jimmy Jacobs had no options but to face his wrath and hear the three magical words, "YOU ARE FIRED!"

The Internet Wrestling Community saw no fault of Jimmy in it. He was just maintaining his camaraderie and got fired as a result of it.

But WWE made one point clear to their staff members that day. If they believe you are extending your support to any anti-WWE association, don't complain if you lose your job.

"Obviously my bank account": A'ja Wilson describes how she would have acclimatized to NIL deals and modern college money