
Dear Vincent Kennedy McMahon: WWE must once again start creating larger-than-life stars.
Duh. Even Captain Obvious would’ve said as much after seeing that title and opening sentence. We’re talking about a sports entertainment empire that originates from the United States of America. No country idolizes star power quite like this one. Did you think that citizens of a country flooded with organic chocolate milk and honey would accept a product where even the main champions are booked like—as you’ve stated—B-plus players?
WWE faces one of its most trying periods. Stock prices plummeted after the company reported a first quarter loss. WWE Raw and Smackdown! Live ratings are reaching record lows. It has been 20-plus years of ratings trending downward. People are tuning out. Wrestlers keep getting injured. Competition awaits in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Even if they steal .1 of the remaining viewership, it’s to the point where tiny decreases are felt.
There was a point during the Monday Night Wars when WWE consistently earned ratings of high-5s and 6s while WCW was earning 3s. Now WWE barely gets two million total viewers with no direct competition. WCW died around the numbers that WWE currently pulls. Some of that involves cord-cutting. Some of that involves accessing highlights online. Regardless, networks won’t keep paying billions to a product with declining or stagnant viewership.
Previous boom periods showcased larger-than-life superstars that captivated audiences. Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, The Undertaker, and Shawn Michaels, just to name a few. Ruthless Aggression stars like John Cena and Batista gained enough popularity to pursue Hollywood careers.
Stars of today don’t have the same overness. Brock Lesnar shows up once every few months to give someone 13 suplexes and six F-5s. The active roster features more talent than any previous era. Yet, nobody has gotten over like the aforementioned wrestlers. Booking appears to limit star potential. Even Roman Reigns—the chosen one—gets poorly booked with five-minute title reigns and Royal Rumble losses.

Is the booking due to the fear of losing elite talent to Hollywood? Write it off as part of the business. WWE has access to hundreds of talents from its main roster, NXT, and the independent scene. How many independent wrestlers would decline the opportunity to compete on the grandest stage of their profession? All the fame and fortune that’s associated with it?
Larger-than-life stars are a must. WWE can’t deny this. There’s no work-around. Company history isn’t the only evidence to support that notion. Look how American youth endear themselves to stars.
Dozens of athletes earn tens of millions annually to compete. No North American professional sports league relies on star power more than the NBA. For the first time since 2005, LeBron James missed the playoffs. After 48 NBA playoff games, ratings declined as much as 14 percent.
Then we have our earthly leaders. President Donald Trump established himself as a television celebrity during a brief WWE stint and his time on The Apprentice. Would Kane have become Knox County mayor without his wrestling stardom? What about Jesse “The Body” Ventura? Then you have political experts analyzing San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich as a future presidential candidate. Other names people throw into the mix are The Rock, Oprah Winfrey, and Clay Travis.
We can’t find SaNITy in WWE. Can we find it with spiritual leaders? With few exceptions, the most famous televangelists are nothing more than Dave Ramsey’s with a Bible. Believe in God and you’ll get a Corvette. Make sure to tithe extra so your preacher can buy a jet. Madison, Tennessee follows a Cavalry Captain whose fame was created on his backstory of a near-decapitation murder and assaulting his prison mates when they refused to listen to his sermons.
The American youth idolize stars. “In God we trust” has become “In Stars we lust.” Well, either stars or the self. Millennials take about 243 selfies per day. I’m still on a flip phone.
How does WWE create this new larger-than-life star that appeals to the masses? It’s gonna take some time. Critics claim that Mr. McMahon is out of touch because he’s age 73. Well, I’m age 32. I’m already out of touch. Look at a Top 40 radio chart. Billy Ray Cyrus, the 57-year-old singer known for “Achy Breaky Heart,” is about to have a No. 1 pop smash with an experimental trap song. No—I’m not racist for calling “Old Town Road” a trap song, experimental music, or trash. Why must I defend myself for saying that experimental trap music isn’t country music?
Watching Ucey Hot segment…
…You know what? Sami Zayn was right. We’re all going to Hell.
Mr. McMahon, God bless.

CHECK OUT MORE
WWE Ratings Near 2 Million: Mainstream Wrestling is Dying
NBA Load Management: Where Amazing Never Happens
Athletes, Leagues Must Address Fan Misconduct on Social Media, at Live Events
MLB or NFL? Kyler Murray Decision Isn’t Complicated
Le’Veon Bell Made Wise Choice to Sit Out 2018 NFL Season
Joshua Huffman was born and edumacated in Middle Tennessee. He has published content for Yahoo! Sports (via Contributor Network) and Titan Sized, among other venues. At SoBros, he’ll provide Daily Fantasy Sports suggestions and broad sports coverage. Follow him on Twitter (although I rarely use it).
Check out the SoBros Shop. Subscribe to our Patreon. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Listen on SoundCloud. Watch on YouTube.