WWE 2018 In Numbers

All the figures fit to print about the best and worst wrestling company in the world...

AJ Styles Nakamura
WWE

You may have read an awful lot of words about numbers in 2018.

Dollar figures became premium defence mechanisms for those that dared to bat back company criticism as if it remotely related to the creative end of the industry. Eye-watering deals were made with major networks to keep WWE part of the TV landscape for several more years even if $9.99 is too big a commitment for their own streaming service.

People, through little more than old-fashioned channel surfing, will still stumble across WWE sooner or later. WWE probably want that sort of reach internationally too - World Of Sport's mere 10-episode run wobbled them into finally kickstarting NXT UK, though the contractual controversies that have since come with that won't truly begin to show themselves before 2019.

Meanwhile, New Japan reported huge attendances and record subscriber increases, perhaps giving the McMahon Empire a small cause for concern, if they even bothered to give a sh*t about who next they might cherry-pick from the roster to turn into a stereotypical xenophobic ball-shot aficionado.

(Note: Figures and statistics collated with the help of the sensational Cagematch.com, with the odd Wikipedia check as well. Basically, blame one of their fact-checkers, if something seems amiss. Happy Holidays!)

15. 100

AJ Styles Nakamura
WWE.com

The number in percent of matches Ronda Rousey has won since debuting at WrestleMania back in April. She is, unsurprisingly, incredibly over and well supported as a result. You can practically see that irritating little red "100" emoji from here when WWE do their own Instagram post on her success.

That isn't to say she doesn't deserve massive praise.

Fans back winners, not least ones that offer them an opponent's arm, as she did with Alexa Bliss’ flailing limb at SummerSlam.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 30 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz", Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 50,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett