Does WWE Make Money From Angry Fans?

Roman Reigns Wins Universal
WWE.com

“WWE is doing just fine with Roman Reigns on top” is a fallacy, even if Reigns is now out-selling John Cena at the merchandise table.

Now that Brock Lesnar is on hiatus, and Cena is a part-time act, there is no performer in WWE that drives any other traditional drawing metric, with the possible exception of Ronda Rousey, whose quarter hours on RAW, per the Wrestling Observer, perform well. Lesnar drew sizeable quarter hour ratings, and WWE for years reimbursed fans, were Cena to miss a live event - an apologetic gesture for which Roman’s absence is automatically forgiven. On the whole, their absence or reduced schedules have not drastically altered the financial complexion of the company. The rejection of Roman Reigns doesn’t matter any more than our support of a new, more popular top babyface would. Vince knows this, and this is why he persists.

We, the hardcore fans who make up the online conversation, dislike Roman Reigns—that seems definitive at this juncture—but, with the Network offering some subjective form of excellence (archived pay-per-views, NXT TakeOver specials) to all wrestling fans, we don’t need a talisman any more than Vince McMahon does.

Our anger does not matter. The “any reaction is a good reaction” line-toeing isn’t mere pretext to justify the continued main event push of Roman Reigns.

To borrow an old phrase associated with the British scene, fans just go to see “the wrestling” in 2018. WWE is the brand, the draw, the lucrative property international TV stations flock to. The old talismans—Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin—all used to come back. That was Vince McMahon’s greatest trick, once upon a time. And now, he doesn’t even need them to.

CONT'D...(4 of 5)

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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!