Because sponsorship and tv rights fees are obviously greater in 2016 than 15 years ago and the business model is diversified . But wrestling is only hot when they have crossover stars. That's been the case throughout the entire business so it's pretty historically ignorant to suggest it's not an important factor. The current model is just to squeeze more and more out of the hardcores because the casuals have all been run off. That's not sustainable forever.

And they're down money wise from the PPV era. So they're not making more money than ever.

So... Mickie James on the main roster?

Looks like it. Hopefully she's a surprise entrant in the women's rumble.

Wrestling getting "hot" again is not going to happen, That ship has sailed so they need to do different things, We do have cross over stars, You have Cena doing very well (is he not doing SNL?) and he is more likely to stick around then the previous crossover stars have done in the past because the connection to wrestling is not as negative as it use to be due to the changes in the business model,

Shows like Total Diva's and the Bella's etc bring over a cross over, Having intelligent strong female role models (something the WWE have not really had before) like Charlotte and Banks have a chance to be a really plus point for the WWE going forward, The nature of the cross over stars are changing just as much as the business is.

What they are doing more successful then every before is making the right kind of money and from much better sources

The nature of the cross over stars are changing in the sense that they don't draw money? Yeah Cena is a star but he's never been as famous as Austin or Hogan and he's basically a part timer who is past his peak.

I find it very odd that some fans seem to be positively glad that WWE is now a sterile, conservative and bland corporate entity that produces television in that mould.

And what they are doing less successfully than ever before is making a product worth watching...which surely is the No.1 concern of any fan?

I always hate it when people try to justify WWE's dire output by justifying it in terms of financial success. You're a wrestling fan, not a stakeholder.

Former WWE Women's Champion Mickie James has reportedly signed a multi-year deal with the company, according to PWInsider. She's expected to return to the main roster in January 2017.

Mickie is expected to re-debut on the SmackDown brand. This comes after her strong performance against WWE NXT Women's Champion Asuka at "Takeover: Toronto" last month.

As noted, former WWE Women's Champion Mickie James has signed a new multi-year deal with the company and is set to return to the SmackDown brand in January. PWInsider reports that the deal is for 3 years.

They'll use her to improve the likes of Carmella, Eva Marie and Alexa.

It's an acceptance that things have changed and why things are the way they are and not hoping thinks will go back to the how they was done in the past as the WWE changed and fans etc when they started changing the business from territory's and then introduced PPV they are doing so again. Vince has always wanted to "clean" his income to some extent he has now just about done that he has taken the money bought in from drug addicts and pill poppers and soft porn to money coming in from Coke Cola etc.

Less famous in what way? Cena is on Fox Austin is on some country music station, Cena has already done bigger films then Hogan has ever done and has more appeal then both in other entertainment fields.

Cena is looking like he could be entering his peak as a crossover star.

So we should ignore the logic of why things are the way they are?

I still watch the show because I enjoy it, would i enjoy it more if they did things differently? Maybe but as fans we need to accept the logic of why the company is doing what it is doing, If it did not make sense then yes we could complain etc but this is the route the company has chosen to go down and it's looking likely for the most part it's the right path

Speaking of trying to tap into new markets, this article talks about one that they ate trying do:- http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/othe...big-shoulders/

really?

man utd make money now than when they were winning titles every year in the 90s

you are having a nightmare kid.

A very well run and successful business just like the WWE.

Not a surprise you bring up something from the long distance past as you seem to be obsessed with living in it.

Music was so much better in those days, So was Ice-cream and toys.

you have been shown up today. learn from it.

wwe was better back in the day. if you think same tactics wouldnt work today thats totally fine. but dont pretend that because they make money that the current product is good and people are just being haters

When did i say what was better or worse?

I said the current business plan makes sense in regards to what the company are trying to achieve.

The current product is good with regards to what the company's goals are.

People might think the WWE should have different goals and that's fine but is ignoring reality.

The same tactics in the past of course could work but only if the WWE changed their goals and I not sure what signs we have seen that the WWE is looking to do that

but why do YOU defend not being able to build stars simply because make money. as if thats ok. would man u get away with not trying to become the best? even if cashflow is fine for them if mid table. course not

But they are building stars. Just different types as what we are use to.

Its not the same anymore, They would rather have someone who has loads of twitter followers etc, They would rather have someone who can stand up in front of a branding conference etc, All the attitude stars at the height of their powers would not get the China revenue stream, Maybe the current lot won't but its massively more likely now then ever before.

If you was a serious investor you would not touch the WWE at any time during its history, Now you might

They are trying to be the best but at something different then the past.

They not chasing viewing figures to such a degree anymore, They would rather Coke Cola did something with them then get the same viewing figures (and same demographic ) then during the attitude era

They don't want to have "rasslin" stars anymore, They want something more, They would rather have a Bella type then a Austin type.

and its pathetic. you agree right? regardless of business plans, right???????

i am quiting forum and social media jan 1st. i need to leave this place in good hands. right now its hazy or fmkk.

No I don't

Because while I enjoyed Austin x number of years ago now I have matured and grown up what I like now is very different to what I enjoyed then and you would think most people are the same, It would be very sad if we was doing and enjoying the same things in the same was as 2 decades ago etc. Its good to watch as part of nostalgia etc but as part of today's environment? I not so sure. You could not watch it with younger members of the family for example

doesnt matter if its pg or not. a bad creative show is a bad creative show.

They don't want anyone who draws money?

Not in the old way of how you drew money in wrestling.

Bella brings in a different type of money then Austin, That's the money they want

What shows (and channels) did (and gets now) Austin get on TV when he was "drawing" all this money?

lol this guy watches E! network all day long

maybe hes a housewife

Never have watched a second

But its clear to anyone that the WWE wants that demographic and how important it is to the business.

And if I was a housewife? Again if they are watching that show then that means they are achieving their objectives

Getting E Network audience on board is better then having the country music channel one

but all of this doesnt change the fact that its poor product. not different, just poor.

pg is no excuse. can still write better shows and characters

stop arguing for arguing sake. you know i am right about this one.