10 Times WWE Tried To Kill Wrestling

7. Survivor Series, Or Starrcade?

Devil Vince McMahon
Clear Vision Ltd / WWE

Look, nobody is saying that the WWF of old was comparable to the mafia, or anything, but Vince McMahon did once extort pay-per-view providers into doing his bidding.

As the 1980s receded, Vince was left with one viable competitor: Jim Crockett Promotions. In 1987, he concocted another incredibly effective scheme to squeeze them out. With the smash success of WrestleMania III, Vince earned himself considerable leverage in the market, and created a new pay-per-view spectacular to monopolise the medium: Survivor Series. It was a winning concept for fans in its early phase - broadcasted singles matches between major stars remained a rare, special attraction, much less matches with 10 - and 20! - name acts all sharing the same ring. But, even back then, when it was great, this event wasn't so much for the paying public. It was expressly designed to sabotage JCP's Starrcade.

Vince laid out an ultimatum to the pay-per-view providers: carry both Thanksgiving Day shows, and they would not be permitted to carry WrestleMania IV. The choice was clear: make less money in the short term to reap a long-term reward. Of course, had none agreed, Vince would have lost the leverage - but he held the power, promoted by far the bigger enterprise, and every deal was negotiated individually. The risk of losing a guaranteed money-spinner in a still-nascent medium was considered too big a risk by all but five.

He won.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!