Professional wrestling is a unique form of entertainment. It combines sport and showmanship, athleticism and acting to provide a completely original product. However, like any form of entertainment, professional wrestling has experienced its highs and lows. Nothing is ever easy and big booms in business are often followed by a frightening recession. To be frank, professional wrestling as a whole -- and particularly the WWE -- is in the middle of a recession. While the world of sports entertainment struggled in the fallout of WCW and ECWs closures, it wasnt until just recently that wrestling began to experience its true decline. While wrestling hit the big-time in the mid-to-late 1980s, the early-to-mid 90s brought hard times. Sports entertainment bounced back in a big way during the late 90s Monday Night War between WWE and WCW -- possibly the most popular the sport has ever been. However, following WWEs buyout of WCW and ECW, many fans began to turn away. Since then, WWE managed to maintain a steady and loyal fan-base, even if it wasnt as large as it once was. However, WWE and the wrestling world at large, has begun to show signs of further dwindling. As with the New Generation Era, wrestling has hit its latest recession. Dont believe us? Check out the seven signs that professional wrestling is in free fall.
Douglas Scarpa is a freelance writer, independent filmmaker, art school graduate, and pro wrestling aficionado -- all of which mean he is in financial ruin. He has no backup plan to speak of, yet maintains his abnormally high spirits. If he had only listened to the scorn of his childhood teachers, he wouldn't be in this situation.
