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With flagging ratings, absent Superstars, and tougher competition is the WWE in jeopardy? Or are they going to weather the storm and come out stronger?
There's an old saying that the world will forgive you for almost any crime...except success.
While it is a bit of a hyperbolic exaggeration, there is no doubt that there will always be a certain percentage of the population that gleefully predicts the stagnation of major corporate entities, whether they be in the entertainment industry or private business.
However, in recent months--some would argue recent years--there do seem to be some chinks in the WWE's unassailable armor. Are these signs that foretell the doom of the world's largest sports entertainment organization? Or is it just some turbulence that the WWE can--and has--overcome?
Here are five reasons the WWE might have fallen behind, and five that things will turn out just fine for the company.
#1 Could have fallen behind: Sagging ratings for Monday Night Raw
Let's discuss the Elephant in the room first.
Raw has struggled in recent months with sagging ratings. Back in October, Raw's ratings fell to a then-historic low of 2.3 million viewers. This seemed bad, but then on the December 10th edition of the WWE's flagship show, ratings fell again to just over two million during the third hour, which featured a ladder match for the Intercontinental championship.
In fact, WWE even broke the fourth wall by having Seth Rollins utter the dreaded phrase "Monday Night Raw Sucks!"
Knowing how much Vince pores over every segment on the show, it's not likely that Seth was going rogue, but rather following a script. Still, it's a shocking acknowledgment of how many viewers seem turned off by the current product.
Ratings don't lie, and the WWE may be in for some trouble if they can't turn things around.
#1 Have not fallen behind: Ratings don't tell the whole story
Yes, the facts are the facts; the WWE Monday Night Raw ratings HAVE taken a hit in recent months.
However, ratings don't exist in a vacuum, and neither does the WWE. When you start to examine a lot of the factors that go into the ratings game, you'll find that WWE is still thriving in spite of losing some viewers.
For one, the most recent Raw on December 10 was competing head to head with Monday Night Football's much-anticipated matchup between the Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks. Raw often loses some ratings when a red-hot football game is on the other channel.
Also, it is the holiday season in North America, and a lot of potential Raw viewers are shopping for Christmas gifts, traveling, and visiting with family. It was also the final exam week for a lot of college students who might be hitting the books instead of tuning in to Raw. A slight dip in the viewership may be a cause for concern, but it's no cause for alarm or panic.
#2 Could have fallen behind: They lost their biggest star, hopefully only temporarily
Despite his many and vocal haters, there is no doubt that the WWE is reeling from Roman Reigns' absence.
While some fans might point out he was a polarizing figure, there's no doubt that Roman Reigns also generated a lot of interest. There is something in the Entertainment industry known affectionately as the Howard Stern/Fox News effect.
Basically, this effect boils down to this: People who hate Howard Stern and/or Fox News actually tend to be the most avid and reliable audience! It seems that some people actually like to have something to be angry about, and while they may have said negative things about Roman, his haters were still talking about him.
Then there's the fact that Roman was the biggest merchandise seller in the company, surpassing even John Cena and IWC darlings like AJ Styles. There is no doubt that the WWE might be in trouble without "The Guy".
#2 Have not fallen behind: Other stars will fill Roman's shoes for awhile
While there's no doubt that Roman Reigns will be missed as he battles his illness (our thoughts and prayers are with him), he is not the only wrestler WWE has under contract.
With the Big Dog's leave of absence, it creates an opportunity for WWE to elevate and expand some existing stars to greater heights. Seth Rollins is one man who is rumored to be on the short list of people to be the 'top guy' on Monday Night Raw, as is Drew McIntyre.
With a roster as deep and diverse as WWE can bring to bear, there are many ways they can temporarily fill in for Roman Reigns. There is no real cause for alarm here, and WWE has lost big stars before, such as Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall, and has still managed to survive.
#3 Could have fallen behind: New challengers have appeared
After the end of the much ballyhooed Monday Night War, in which WWE bought out their biggest rival WCW, they enjoyed about ten years of relatively little competition.
Even their next biggest rival, TNA Wrestling, failed to garner even a fraction of the WWE audience. They were able to split themselves into two separate brands (three if you count the short-lived ECW revival) and basically had a wrestling monopoly for a decade.
However, things have begun to change. Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks have catapulted their All In event's success into talks of beginning their own wrestling promotion. In fact, Cody has been spotted at the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium in the owner's box, and their LLC has been registered at that address.
Add to that the fact that Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling have managed to sell out Madison Square Garden--the heart of WWE territory--and are presenting a real challenge to the WWE, and it seems like the promotion might be in for some troubled waters.
#3 Have not fallen behind: Competition is good for wrestling in general, and the WWE in particular
It has often been said that in order to be the best, you have to compete against the best to prove it.
This adage applies to pro wrestling just as much as other areas. A lack of serious competition can lead to complacency and a lackadaisical attitude toward business.
On the other hand, some good, stiff competition can drive the whole industry to improve. Prior to the Monday Night War, you rarely saw the world champion wrestle on free television, and the matches were usually made up of 'jobber squashes' that involved one-sided bouts where the outcome was never in any doubt.
But the Monday Night War forced the WWE to up their game. They changed their content to reflect the societal mores of the time, put their world champion Stone Cold Steve Austin front and center on every Raw, and worked even harder to regain their spot as the top wrestling company in the world. Just because there are new contenders doesn't mean the champion is in danger of losing their crown.
#4 Could have fallen behind: Vince McMahon and Triple H don't always see eye to eye
In the African Savannah, there are times when a younger lion challenges the pride leader for ownership of the pride. Sometimes this leads to the older lion's death, sometimes to the younger's demise, and sometimes one of the two rivals will split off and take some of the pride with them.
That situation is playing out in real life in the WWE right now. For years it has been apparent that Triple H is the heir to Vince's throne--Shane McMahon even quit the company because of it for a while. While Vince has a lot of faith in his son in law, they also don't necessarily see eye to eye on many matters.
Add in the fact that Triple H's booking of NXT seems to garner praise from fans, critics, and journalists, while Vince is often held in contempt, and you have the makings of a civil situation.
#4 Have not fallen behind: Vince McMahon and Triple H are on the same side even if they disagree
While the two titans of the WWE may occasionally butt heads over some matters, at the end of the day they are still fighting on the same side; the WWE's.
Triple H is Vince's trusted COO of the company, and also the father of his Grandchildren. They are literally family as well as business partners, and as the old saying goes blood is thicker than water.
Vince McMahon knows that he is aging, and his development of interest once again in the pro football game--which he tried once before with his XFL promotion--means that he needs an heir apparent, someone who can continue to carry the company he revolutionized into the future. That man is Triple H, and Vince knows this.
#5 Could have fallen behind: Many of the best wrestlers in the world work for other companies
For a long time, it was a given that the most talented wrestlers in the world either already worked for WWE or would eventually wind up there at some point in their careers.
However, times have changed. The Briscoes--current and former Ring of Honor world tag team champions--will likely end their careers without ever being in a WWE ring. Kenny Omega, the Pro Wrestling Illustrated pick for the top spot on their 500 greatest wrestlers list, has stated that he is perfectly happy not working for the WWE.
Even longtime WWE employees like Chris Jericho seem to have noticed the tide has turned. Jericho is now working openly for New Japan Pro-Wrestling and is rumored to be involved in All Elite Wrestling as well. And let's not forget his highly successful Rock N Wrestling Rager at Sea cruise.
With so many talented and popular wrestlers working for other companies, the WWE may lag behind.
#5 Have not fallen behind: They have plenty of the world's best wrestlers under contract
While Kenny Omega may or may not be the best wrestler in the world, the fact remains that no one individual talent is going to make or break a wrestling company.
That being said, the WWE has plenty of the best wrestlers in the world under contract. Men like AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Roode, Dolph Ziggler, Keith Lee, Ricochet, and let's not forget the stellar women like Becky Lynch and Charlotte and Asuka.
While it would be exciting to see men like Kenny Omega in a WWE ring, it is by no means necessary for their success or survival. After all, Becky Lynch was an also ran for years before she became WWE's biggest female star. The WWE can always build new talent to greater heights and has no need of any one particular athlete to be on their roster.
There you have it; Five reasons the WWE might be in trouble, and five that they will be just fine. Questions or comments? Please leave them below the article and as always thanks for reading!
