Trying To Make Sense Of WWE’s BIZARRE Booking Right Now

Consider this your Super Helpful Guide To WWE As A New Fan!

by Michael Sidgwick
George Barrios WWE
Forefront Magazine

Co-President George Barrios, when he isn’t talking about content ecosystems and engagement and generally securing WWE funds from everywhere in his role as the most underrated grifter of all times, has laid out WWE’s key strategy going forward.

Instead of growing the fanbase, WWE aims to maximise and monetise the existing hardcore audience. Fair. That audience is the most invested, the most entrenched in routine, and the content competition out there is vast. Splintered streaming services, the black hole that is your smartphone, and the fading, traditional entertainment model make up the Lernaean Hydra Vince McMahon aims to slay.

So that makes sense. How this strategy materialises does not. Instead of ensuring that core audience remains in a position to be “super-served”, i.e. “happy”, WWE instead “pisses them off” “beyond belief” with just astonishingly inconsistent and regurgitated product that has almost become a parody of what was already a joke.

This sh*t is incomprehensible to us, and we’re meant to be the schloppy jaloppy sons of bitches sittin’ in our f*ckin’ couches who think we know what the f*ck’sh goin’ on.

WWE isn't overtly interested in getting them onside - but what on earth must a new fan make of WWE in 2019?

Maybe we’re all too cynical, too warped, to receive WWE’s latter output correctly. Maybe it all actually makes sense, and we are out of touch. Maybe it’s time to look at all of this from a new perspective.

CONT'D...(1 of 5)

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!