7 Things We Learned From WWE’s 2017 Record Report

7. Revenue Was At An All-Time High In 2017

Listen to WWE detractors and you'll be met with the same scathing comments about how 'business is down' in the modern era. WWE's financial reports for 2017 say otherwise. Last year, revenue increased 10% to $801.0 million over the same 12-month period in 2016. Does that sound like a sagging business?

No, pay-per-view buyrates aren't at the level they once were, and no, television ratings can't come close to peak numbers throughout the Attitude Era. Those are facts. Here's another: the way WWE do business has changed. Nowadays, revenue streams coming from TV rights fees and internet streaming services are more important.

According to the 2017 report, WWE's fourth quarter (the three-month period covering October-December) was up by an increase of 9% over 2016's figures. During those three months, WWE earned $211.6 million. Keep in mind this was not WrestleMania season, and December is traditionally a low point for the company business-wise.