10 Ways WWE Are Currently Catering To Hardcore Fans

Are we finally getting what we've asked for?

sami zayn kevin owens
WWE.com

The battle that WWE often wages trying to appeal to both the hardcore, internet "smart" fans who are the vocal minority and the casual family audiences that reportedly keep their business in the black is one that is constantly raging. 

Trying to please two masters is always a challenging task, and in the case of a billion dollar corporation it's an obvious tightrope that must be delicately walked.

We're currently in an interesting time where an argument could be made that the vocal minority of fans commonly referred to as "smarks" are no longer that, but have overtaken the casuals as the most populous members of the WWE fanbase. 

As viewership for Raw continues to plummet and wrestling's following reduces, the most passionate among us who stick around obviously begin to wield more influence.

Usually the post-WrestleMania season hits and we settle into a bit of a lull as the company calms things down while gearing up for the SummerSlam build. WWE followed up the massive success of 'Mania XXX with a Daniel Bryan/Kane feud, and last year Seth Rollins punctuated his big win with some of the worst booking any champion has ever had to endure.

But 2016 looks to be reversing that trend and WWE appears to be doing everything it can to reach out to the hardcore fans and keep us intrigued, which is no small task considering the amount of jaded cynicism that exists within us.

Give them credit for trying, and let's hope it keeps up.

10. Making It Okay To Boo Roman Reigns

sami zayn kevin owens
WWE.com

While they've not outright turned him heel, it does seem that the powers that be have finally accepted that Roman Reigns is not going to become some beloved savior who the audience rallies behind.

The fans have been clamouring for WWE to turn him heel for about a year, and while he's not technically a bad - or a good guy - he's THE guy (sorry, couldn't resist).

He's not trying to ignore the jeers but rather seems to be basking in them.

If WWE were truly intent on still getting the fans to fall in line behind their chosen one, the last thing they would do is book him against someone like AJ Styles, who he has absolutely no chance of getting cheered against.

Not only that, but he's spent the last several shows being outright condescending to men like Styles and Sami Zayn, whom the so-called smart fans support with a passion.

By embracing the hate for Reigns and allowing fans to boo him openly without feeling like they're being lectured for it, they've managed to accomplish both their goal and their crowds', to have him as championship figurehead of the company while also having the fans express their distaste for his position.

Contributor
Contributor

Brad Hamilton is a writer, musician and marketer/social media manager from Atlanta, Georgia. He's an undefeated freestyle rap battle champion, spends too little time being productive and defines himself as the literary version of Brock Lesnar.