10 WWE Attempts To Capitalise On Popular Culture

On 28 June 1997, nearly two million pay-per-view buyers looked on as Mike Tyson removed a chunk of Evander Holyfield’s right ear with his teeth. The next day, the entire sporting world was discussing the event, while Las Vegas bigwigs were probably digging deep into their wallets, trying in vain to stop the Nevada State Athletic Commission from revoking the boxing licence of a man that had just made box office history. Meanwhile, Vince McMahon was seeing dollars in his eyes and just seven months later, on the 19 January 1998 edition of Raw, Mike Tyson and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin were face-to-face, battling over ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ moniker.

While the boxing world was embarrassed by the conduct of their most profitable personality, the WWF was gleeful, purposely playing into Tyson’s reputation to increase the momentum of their own popular rule-breaker, Steve Austin. The build up to Tyson’s presence at WrestleMania XIV was one of the most successful and impactful periods in WWE’s history, with the show itself being purchased by more people than any other pay-per-view since 1989’s WrestleMania V. Ironically, this was achieved by utilising the same approach that created a Paul Burchill or Clarence Mason; the company’s shameless attitude towards incorporating popular trends within their product, no matter how controversial they may be. For every bad movie-based character or affiliation with Scooby Doo, Mike Tyson’s involvement shows exactly why WWE will chase popular trends and current events for the foreseeable future.