10 Times WWE Stopped Promoting Its Own Products

When WWE landed a piece of real estate in Times Square, it couldn't stop bragging. Formally the Paramount Theatre, WWF New York (later The World) was a night club/store/bar/grill/arcade the company ran from 1999 to 2002. Prior to them purchasing the location, themed-restaurants were a hit, from Planet Hollywood to the Hard Rock Cafe. Believing there was more moolah to go around, Vince McMahon pushed until he finally had his restaurant.

Upon its launch, major stars such as The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin showed up in New York. As time went on, though, the main eventers were gone. In their place were midcarders like Test. The food was reportedly mediocre, and when there wasn't a major appearance or WWE PPV, New York was dead. It didn't help that, unlike the WCW Nitro bar, New York hardly had any memorabilia.

Nevertheless, WWE hyped New York on Raw and SmackDown and even filmed Heat there. WWE also promoted the venue in two SmackDown! games as a playable environment.

Then, themed-restaurants started to take a hit. Despite thinking the company was somehow different, WWE held onto the business until Times Square rent fees rose exponentially. After that, they were out, and so were all mentions of the location. Without any explanation or transition, it felt as though New York *poofed* away, and WWE went on with business as though it never happened.