10 Biggest Game-Changers In Wrestling Right Now
4. Fox
WWE's new Fox TV deal doesn't kick in until next October, but the staggering $205 million Vince McMahon will make from his new network every single year may already be influencing the promotion's direction.
Recent reports state that Fox will ask WWE to eschew comedy and present SmackDown Live with a new, sport-like feel. This is supposedly why UFC Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier is on the verge of a commentary tryout, and is likely just the beginning of Fox's influence on the company, because why wouldn't the network want a say? They're investing boatloads of money on a product with a viewership in seemingly terminal decline. Fox want a return, and they'll do everything within their considerable power to get one.
SmackDown's new Friday night slot will see it positioned as part of a four-day sports run, with the NFL broadcasting on Thursday and Sunday evenings. WWE is a family-focused entertainment brand, but Fox will demand SD fits in with their lineup, which could mean a move back to the days when the blue brand was a wrestling-centric island away from Raw's sports entertainment trappings. We'll see how it pans out over the next year, but it sounds promising.