The WWE is easily the most popular Wrestling promotion on earth. Smackdown is a specific segment of the show that is broadcasted on Thursday/Friday night. From the beginning, it has given fans something to look forward to all week. In 2014, however, the program suffered a huge decrease in viewers. Many analysts have pointed the blame toward the company's loud-mouthed CEO, Vince McMahon. Even though Smackdown still hasn't returned to its former glory, stars like The Miz, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins provide steady entertainment for loyal fans.
Smackdown debuted in August of 1999. From that time until 2005, it was shown solely on Thursday nights. Then, in September of that year, it surprisingly switched to Fridays. Finally, it switched back to Thursdays at the beginning of 2015.
Some say this back and forth schedule change has contributed to the overall decline in viewers. However, the company has always had a handicap, its C.E.O. Vince McMahon. According to CBS News, McMahon has stuck his foot in his mouth many times:
"WWE shares...took a bruising [in 2014]...after losing 45 percent of their value [because of trades]...In the case of the WWE's sudden market decline, the company was...the architect of its own smackdown. Chief Executive Vince McMahon had been touting its new 24-hour streaming service called WWE Network...[He even told an analyst] he'd let him "put a hammerlock on me" if he failed to double the rights fees. Well, McMahon [must have felt] the pain of a hammerlock."
Its sad for those of us who have been along for the ride this entire time, however, we still haven't given up on our beloved WWE, or any of its programming. According to Cage Side Seats analysis of the most recent Smackdown, a multitude of top-notch performers showed up and showed out:
"[Fans admired] Roman Reigns Stupidman punching The Miz right away to get him out of the picture...also, the physicality between Reigns and Daniel Bryan [was intense]. [A lot of people] are really looking forward to the match between these two at Fast Lane...just to see how they lay it out. The star of the segment, however, was Seth Rollins...he leaves no doubt that he's utterly and completely full of shit."
What are your opinions on the situation? Let us know in the comment section below.
