10 Desperate Moves WWE Made In A Panic Over Low Ratings

5. McMahon Million Dollar Mania (2008)

When ratings tumbled in the summer of 2008, Vince McMahon incorporated a new competition to reward fans for watching his show. Or, more accurately, bribe fans to watch his product. "McMahon Million Dollar Mania" was a weekly contest in which fans would win money and appear on WWE programming at the same time. It was little more than a ratings grab and rarely went off without a hitch. McMahon would dial the wrong numbers live on the air, especially when he did not have his glasses. Those on the receiving end would hang up or it would be clear they were not watching the show. Every week, something would happen that made it abundantly clear that the company had not thought things through very well.

By the time the set collapsed and injured McMahon in what was to be the start of a hot new summer angle to replace what had been a money-bleeding disaster of a concept, fans were more than happy to leave the crap behind and move onto wrestling again. With Superstars such as Triple H, John Cena, Undertaker, Edge, Batista, Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton at their disposal, it is a wonder that the company did not focus more energy in creating compelling rivalries rather than fifth-rate reality competitions to draw in viewers. Consider the talent, or lack thereof, of WWE Creative though, it really is no big surprise.