10 Architects Behind WWE's Demise

4. You

Seriously, you, me - we're all culpable on some level.

By continuing to invest financially in WWE, the power players involved can dust off the same, insufferable rhetoric: you're still watching; a small number of vocal fans will complain about absolutely everything; they cheer for who they usually boo, and boo for who they usually cheer...

To them, if you hand over the money, you're a mark. Corey Graves or Baron Corbin might put an 'S' in front of that, on occasion, but you're a mark to them all the same. Your defiant, nihilistic bullsh*t only strengthens their resolve. You encourage them.

Any audible noise you emit is a positive because it can be spun into a flattering narrative. John Cena's charisma is so powerful that everybody has an opinion on it. The hum of thousands of anxious jeers - if the guy it's stupid to have win is probably going to win - can simply be "electric". Etc.

The institutional lack of respect this company has for its fans shapes the direction. It's a complete inversion of what should happen. That statistically so few of us care about Baron Corbin is, to them, proof that pushing him is a good idea. It's heat. It's not positive, so it must therefore be heat.

You are the Authority.