Did you know that Vince McMahon, the owner of the biggest wrestling company in the world, once used to sell Sweetheart ice cream cones?

WWE, originally known as Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC), was founded in 1953 by Jess McMahon (Vince's father) and Toots Mondt.

The promotion was part of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), primarily operating in the Northeastern United States.

Vince McMahon shared a strained relationship with his father, facing physical abuse throughout his childhood, similar stories about his mother have also surfaced on multiple occasions.

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It was only after a lot of persuasion from him, that McMahon Sr. allowed him to enter the business with his northernmost territory of Bangor.

Showing resolve against all odds, In the 1980s, Vince McMahon, acquired CWC, effectively seizing control of the company, and rebranded it as World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
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​Big Breakthrough:​
1. McMahon revolutionized the industry by breaking traditional territorial rules and campaigning ring flights across all cities in the US.
​2. He gained significant traction, by signing American Wrestling Association Talent, Hulk Hogan, and further bolstered the roster by hiring Andre the Giant, Jimmy Snuka etc.
3. He made a national touring company format, building a touring enterprise that was further elevated by larger-than-life characters and storylines.​
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Turning Point.
The inception of WrestleMania in 1985 marked a pivotal moment, “Wrestling Boom” peaked with the Wrestlemania pay-per-view at the Pontiac Silverdome in 1987, setting an attendance record of 93,173 for the WWF.
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Following a lawsuit by World Wildlife Fund, the company had to rebrand itself as WWE.

By the late ’90s, WWE’s revenue skyrocketed, reaching approximately $500 million by the year 2000.

6 Things that Made WWE a Global Juggernaut

1. Live Events and Broadcasting: WWE’s model hinges on live events and TV broadcasting rights. They pioneered Pay-Per-View events, significantly boosting revenue.
2. Merchandising and Licensing: Merchandise sales of branded products and licensing agreements made WWE a money machine.
3. Going Global: Expanding into international markets has been a strategic focus, with broadcasts in over 150 countries.
4. Going Digital: Launched in 2014, the WWE Network represented a significant shift to streaming, providing an extensive content library and live event broadcasts, something that the Industry leaders at the time didn’t encourage.
5. Content Distribution: WWE leverages social media and digital platforms for fan engagement and content distribution.
6. Talent Monetization: Collaborations with celebrities, Hollywood and cross-promotional events have further elevated WWE’s revenues.

Top 3 Take Aways

1. Business Agility - WWE’s ability to evolve its brand and adapt to market changes has been critical for its longevity.
2. Content Distribution - Innovative Content Delivery: Embracing digital platforms and new content delivery models has kept WWE relevant amidst tough competition
3. Building Scale - Keeping a sharp tab on the audience pulse and expanding into international markets with the same efficiency is the secret recipe here.

Despite challenges like Steroid scandals and Talent poaching, WWE always maintained a healthy bottom line, with its market valuation peaking to $8.37 Billion Market capitalisation in 2023.