If WWE Were Being Honest About ALL IN

Investment is everything in pro wrestling. WWE hasn't inspired creative investment beyond short bursts that amount to titillation, but they've secured $120 a year from two million Network subscribers and an unimaginable loot from panicked television stations trying to save their own industry from collapsing off a cliff edge.

The growth of Bullet Club, the subsequent sustained success of Being The Elite and the creative and commercial success that was ALL IN benefited from entirely different investments. Cash injections from smaller audiences that wanted to pay more, until they became bigger audiences that still wanted to shell out. Emotional investment assured, financial investment earned, ALL IN had 'only' to deliver a wrestling show worthy of the faith. That it did so (with associated wrap-around events cultivated by podcast impresario Conrad Thompson) gave an increasing section of the fanbase a thirst for more.

If WWE were being honest about ALL IN, they'd reduce its grandiose presence as a jumped-up house show, whilst reminding the wider populous that they'd just ran shows in China. But of course they did - the brands are in different worlds and act as such. If WWE were being really honest though, they'd perhaps express concern about where it all goes next. They can afford fans to invest in other shows as well, but not - as the case seemed to be with the Chicago show's success - abandon the Sports Entertainment ship completely.