10 Serious Problems With WWE Right Now
6. No Motivation From Competition
With more than 15 years of hindsight, it's pretty clear that the closure of WCW was the worst thing that ever happened to WWE. From 1997 to 2001, WWE was forced to innovate and make new stars, and while it didn't always work, the overall result was financial success. In the past decade and a half, though, WWE's fortunes have steadily slid.
The company tried to create its own competition in the form of the brand split, but that didn't work. They also haven't had any outside pressure, as TNA never mounted any sort of sustained success of its own. Even the most ardent WWE fans would have a tough time arguing that the company hasn't gotten a bit soft as a result.
Still, they haven't learned a lesson from history. Earlier this year, the company raided the second-biggest pro wrestling company on Earth - and one that's becoming more and more popular in the U.S. - New Japan Pro Wrestling. First, they snatched up English language announcer Mauro Ranallo, then took four of the company's top stars in AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows.
Being the only show in town has robbed WWE of the motivation to try harder - falling ratings aren't doing it on their own.