Regardless of what anybody thinks of WWE creator Vince McMahon these days, it’s clear that he has built an amazing thing with wrestling. Before he took over his father’s wrestling business in 1982, professional grappling was a niche sport. Regional leagues existed across the country and featured inspirational scrappers who simply weren’t superstars. Now, WWE events are some of the most popular national competitions in existence. How did this happen?
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A National Vision for a Regional Sport
The history of the WWE is filled with many unique and fascinating ups and downs. The biggest is when McMahon buys Capitol Wrestling from his father. This regionally popular league featured competitors like “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Andrew the Giant, and Terry “Hulk” Hogan. Unlike his father, McMahon understands that wrestlers are, essentially, superheroes to their fans. He knows that tapping into this desire for heroes could turn his league more legit.
Hulk Hogan Commeth
It’s hard to imagine how the WWE would have taken off without a competitor like Hulk Hogan. Sure, in retrospect, he’s actually a limited athlete. However, his persona, charisma, and ability to project his personality captured the audience like never before. The WWE leaned into their incredible luck and, by 1984, were riding Hulkamania like a rocket ship to the stars. Other fascinating competitors, like “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, bring the sport into millions of living rooms.
Changes Keep the League Relevant and Exciting
The WWE thrived not only because of big names but also because of a superior product. Put simply, the wrestlers in this league were often the best in the world. Furthermore, it changed and adapted to audience tastes in ways that other leagues did not. WrestleMania gave the WWE even more legitimacy by creating a huge Super Bowl-like vent that fans could love.
Other changes, such as the dawning of newer and more serious wrestlers, the lengthy Attitude Era, and today’s bolder and more serious style, have kept the audience engaged. Sure, there have been some weird duds and bad ideas. However, WWE’s willingness to take risks and try new things keeps them innovative, interesting, and exciting to its legions of many fans.
Got To Admit It’s Getting Better…
…it’s getting better all the time! Put simply, any check of WWE news reveals a constantly interesting, exciting, and competitive world. Yes, McMahon is out of the league at this point for various reasons. But his progeny and successors have kept the league relevant in the face of competition from upstart groups. Clearly, they have tapped into something big and know how to keep fans engaged. Even if every creative idea doesn’t land, most do just enough.
It Obviously Worked
It’s undeniable that McMahon’s dream of a national sporting empire came true. His ability to capture the country and even the world’s attention with his league is unmatched. Showmanship, innovative promotions, and fascinating storylines have helped catapult this competition to the top of the market. What’s amazing is that success just keeps building. While the term “revolution” is perhaps a little over the top, it’s obvious that McMahon did a lot right for the sport.
