WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is the world's leading sports entertainment media franchise, originating as a regional wrestling promotion in 1953 before expanding into a global multimedia conglomerate. Spanning live weekly broadcasts, blockbuster feature films, video games, literature, and digital streaming, WWE generated $1.709 billion in revenue in 2025 under TKO Group Holdings.
Cronologia
Overview
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is a global sports entertainment franchise that originated on January 7, 1953, when Roderick James "Jess" McMahon and Joseph Raymond "Toots" Mondt established the Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC).
After joining and subsequently departing the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), the organization transformed into the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) in 1963, later becoming the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1979 and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2002.
Over seven decades, WWE expanded from regional live events into a multimedia powerhouse encompassing flagship weekly television programs (*Raw*, *SmackDown*, *NXT*), feature film production (WWE Studios), interactive gaming franchises, publishing, and digital direct-to-consumer platforms. In September 2023, Endeavor merged WWE with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to form TKO Group Holdings, marking the end of exclusive family control over seventy years after its founding. WWE experienced unprecedented financial growth, generating $1.398 billion in revenue in 2024 and reaching $1.709 billion in 2025. In January 2025, WWE initiated a monumental media shift as *Raw* premiered globally on Netflix under a 10-year, $5+ billion agreement, ending decades of linear cable broadcasting.
Origins
The roots of WWE trace back to promoter Jess McMahon and wrestler Toots Mondt, creator of "Slam Bang Western Style Wrestling." In 1953, they established the Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC) within the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Following Jess McMahon's passing, Vincent J. McMahon joined Mondt, together securing control over roughly 70% of NWA booking across the heavily populated Northeast territory.
In January 1963, booking disputes regarding NWA World Heavyweight Champion Buddy Rogers prompted CWC to withdraw from the NWA and form the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). Rogers was awarded the inaugural WWWF Heavyweight Championship in Rio de Janeiro, before losing the title a month later to Bruno Sammartino, whose historic first reign lasted seven years. In 1979, the WWWF shortened its name to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
A pivotal turning point arrived in 1982 when Vincent K. McMahon (Vince McMahon Jr.), having founded Titan Sports in 1980, purchased CWC from his father. Rejecting traditional territorial boundaries, the younger McMahon syndicated WWF television nationally, poached elite talent like Hulk Hogan, and leveraged pop culture partnerships with MTV. This strategy culminated in 1985 with the premiere of WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden, inaugurating the "Golden Era" of sports entertainment.
I PEZZI DI WWE
Collecting
The WWE collecting landscape spans decades of historical media, publishing, and physical artifacts. Prime collectibles include vintage print publications such as *WWF Magazine* (published from 1983 to 2014) and rare comic book series including Valiant Comics' *WWF BattleMania* (1991) and Chaos!
Comics' 1999 character titles featuring The Undertaker, Mankind, and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Key non-fiction literature remains highly sought after by collectors, most notably Mick Foley's 1999 autobiography *Have a Nice Day!*, which became a #1 New York Times Bestseller, and Dwayne Johnson's *The Rock Says...* (2000).
Official DK Publishing reference works, such as the *WWE Encyclopedia* series, serve as essential guides for archivists tracking championship histories and superstar lore. Furthermore, the hunt for historic, ring-worn memorabilia and lost props remains a central element of modern collecting culture, as highlighted in the television series *WWE Most Wanted Treasures*.
Trivia
• Boxing promoter Tex Rickard despised professional wrestling so intensely that he prohibited wrestling events from taking place at Madison Square Garden between 1939 and 1948.
• Inaugural WWWF Heavyweight Champion Buddy Rogers suffered a heart attack shortly before his historic 1963 title match against Bruno Sammartino, requiring the bout to be booked under one minute.
• Mick Foley's 1999 autobiography *Have a Nice Day!* achieved mainstream literary acclaim by reaching #1 on The New York Times Bestseller list. • The initial 2001 telecast of the XFL co-created by Vince McMahon recorded one of the lowest primetime television ratings in American broadcast history. • On January 6, 2025, *WWE Raw* ended more than thirty years of linear television broadcasting by debuting live on Netflix under a 10-year deal valued at over $5 billion.
Films
• ***No Holds Barred*** (1989): Classic wrestling action vehicle starring Hulk Hogan. • ***The Mania of WrestleMania*** (2004): Documentary detailing the production and spectacle of WrestleMania XX. • ***See No Evil*** (2006): Slasher horror film starring Kane as the antagonist Jacob Goodnight. • ***The Marine*** (2006): Action thriller starring John Cena as a former US Marine. • ***The Condemned*** (2007): Action feature starring "Stone Cold" Steve Austin as a death-row convict. • ***12 Rounds*** (2009): High-stakes action movie starring John Cena. • ***Legendary*** (2010): Drama film featuring John Cena as a high school wrestling coach. • ***Knucklehead*** (2010): Comedy feature starring Big Show. • ***The Chaperone*** (2011): Action-comedy film starring Triple H. • ***That's What I Am*** (2011): Coming-of-age drama featuring Randy Orton. • ***Inside Out*** (2011): Crime drama starring Triple H. • ***The Reunion*** (2011): Action drama starring John Cena.
• ***The Call*** (2013): Thriller film co-produced by WWE Studios starring Halle Berry. • ***Dead Man Down*** (2013): Neo-noir thriller co-starring Wade Barrett. • ***12 Rounds 2: Reloaded*** (2013): Action sequel starring Randy Orton. • ***No One Lives*** (2013): Horror thriller featuring Brodus Clay. • ***The Marine 3: Homefront*** (2013): Direct-to-video action sequel starring The Miz. • ***Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery*** (2014): Animated crossover movie featuring Mystery Inc. and WWE stars. • ***See No Evil 2*** (2014): Slasher sequel starring Kane. • ***Leprechaun: Origins*** (2014): Horror reboot film starring Hornswoggle. • ***The Marine 4: Moving Target*** (2015): Action vehicle starring The Miz and Summer Rae. • ***The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age SmackDown!*** (2015): Animated feature setting WWE personalities in Bedrock. • ***12 Rounds 3: Lockdown*** (2015): Fast-paced action movie starring Dean Ambrose. • ***The Condemned 2*** (2015): Action sequel starring Randy Orton. • ***Scooby-Doo!
and WWE: Curse of the Speed Demon*** (2016): Racing animated mystery crossover. • ***Incarnate*** (2016): Supernatural horror film featuring Mark Henry. • ***The Resurrection of Gavin Stone*** (2017): Faith-based comedy-drama featuring Shawn Michaels. • ***Surf's Up 2: WaveMania*** (2017): Animated surfing sequel featuring WWE Superstars. • ***The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania!*** (2017): Futuristic animated crossover feature. • ***The Marine 5: Battleground*** (2017): Action sequel featuring The Miz, Maryse, Heath Slater, and Curtis Axel. • ***Armed Response*** (2017): Sci-fi action horror film starring Seth Rollins. • ***The Marine 6: Close Quarters*** (2018): Action film starring The Miz, Shawn Michaels, and Becky Lynch. • ***Fighting with My Family*** (2019): Biographical sports drama depicting the life and career of Paige. • ***The Main Event*** (2020): Family comedy centered on a young fan finding a magical wrestling mask. • ***Rumble*** (2021): Animated monster wrestling comedy featuring voice roles by WWE Superstars. • ***Escape the Undertaker*** (2021): Interactive Halloween horror-comedy featuring The New Day and The Undertaker.
TV Series
• ***WWF Championship Wrestling / Heavyweight Wrestling*** (1964–1986): Original weekly syndicated flagships of the WWWF/WWF. • ***WWF Prime Time Wrestling*** (1985–1993): Studio show hosted by Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan. • ***WWF Saturday Night's Main Event*** (1985–1992; revived 2006–2008, 2024–present): Network late-night special event broadcasts. • ***WWF Superstars of Wrestling / Superstars*** (1986–2001; rebooted 2009–2016): Flagship syndicated weekly program. • ***WWF Challenge*** (1986–1995): Syndicated weekend program showcasing top stars and matches. • ***WWE Raw / WWF Monday Night Raw*** (1993–present): Long-running weekly live flagship show. • ***WWF Mania*** (1993–1996): Weekend recap show aimed at younger viewers. • ***WWF Action Zone*** (1994–1996): Weekend program featuring major match airings. • ***WWF LiveWire*** (1996–2001): Interactive Saturday morning viewer call-in show.
• ***WWF Shotgun Saturday Night*** (1997–1999): Late-night program broadcast from Manhattan nightlife venues. • ***WWF Sunday Night Heat / WWE Heat*** (1998–2008): Pre-pay-per-view secondary showcase show. • ***WWE SmackDown / WWF SmackDown!*** (1999–present): Major weekly broadcast show originating on UPN. • ***WWF Jakked / Metal*** (1999–2002): Syndicated secondary match program. • ***WWE Tough Enough*** (2001–2015): Reality competition series awarding WWE talent contracts. • ***WWE Velocity*** (2002–2006): Saturday night brand extension secondary show. • ***WWE Confidential*** (2002–2004): Behind-the-scenes magazine show hosted by Gene Okerlund. • ***WWE ECW*** (2006–2010): Weekly show reviving the Extreme Championship Wrestling brand. • ***WWE NXT*** (2010–present): Developmental showcase turned main brand show for rising stars. • ***WWE Main Event*** (2012–present): In-ring program featuring stars across Raw and SmackDown.
• ***Total Divas*** (2013–2019): Reality television series tracking female superstars' personal lives. • ***WWE 205 Live*** (2016–2022): In-ring showcase dedicated to WWE's cruiserweight division. • ***Total Bellas*** (2016–2021): Spin-off reality series focused on Nikki and Brie Bella. • ***Miz & Mrs.*** (2018–2022): Unscripted reality docuseries starring The Miz and Maryse. • ***WWE NXT UK*** (2018–2022): Regional brand weekly show based in the United Kingdom. • ***WWE Most Wanted Treasures*** (2021–present): Documentary series searching for lost historic WWE memorabilia. • ***Biography: WWE Legends*** (2021–present): Docuseries detailing the life stories of hall-of-fame superstars. • ***WWE Level Up*** (2022–present): In-ring show highlighting WWE Performance Center recruits. • ***Love & WWE: Bianca & Montez*** (2024): Reality series documenting the lives of Bianca Belair and Montez Ford. • ***WWE Speed*** (2024–present): Fast-paced, short-form digital match series.
Video Games
• ***MicroLeague Wrestling*** (1987 — Commodore 64 / MS-DOS): Turn-based strategy game utilizing real match photos. • ***WWF WrestleMania*** (1989 — NES): Debut 8-bit Nintendo console title. • ***WWF Superstars*** (1989 — Arcade): Landmark arcade game featuring Golden Era stars. • ***WWF Challenge*** (1990 — NES): 8-bit console game with tag team modes. • ***WWF WrestleFest*** (1991 — Arcade): Hit arcade title featuring Royal Rumble and Steel Cage matches. • ***WWF Super WrestleMania*** (1992 — SNES / Genesis): Debut 16-bit console wrestling game. • ***WWF Royal Rumble*** (1993 — SNES / Genesis): 16-bit title introducing illegal move bars. • ***WWF Raw*** (1994 — SNES / Genesis / 32X): Final 16-bit trilogy installment featuring signature moves. • ***WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game*** (1995 — Arcade / SNES / PS1): Digitized fighting-style arcade game. • ***WWF In Your House*** (1996 — PS1 / Saturn): Arcade-style 32-bit fighting title. • ***WWF War Zone*** (1998 — PS1 / N64): First 3D wrestling video game of the Attitude Era. • ***WWF Attitude*** (1999 — PS1 / N64 / Dreamcast): Expanded 3D sequel with custom creation modes. • ***WWF WrestleMania 2000*** (1999 — N64): Acclaimed AKI Corporation grappling title. • ***WWF No Mercy*** (2000 — N64): Widely celebrated AKI grappling title on Nintendo 64. • ***WWF SmackDown!*** (2000 — PS1): Inaugural title in the PlayStation SmackDown series. • ***WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role*** (2000 — PS1): Expanded sequel featuring deep season modes. • ***WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It*** (2001 — PS2): Debut entry on PlayStation 2. • ***WWE Raw*** (2002 — Xbox / PC): First WWE title released on original Xbox hardware. • ***WWE SmackDown!
Shut Your Mouth*** (2002 — PS2): Season mode game reflecting the original Brand Split. • ***WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain*** (2003 — PS2): Legendary PlayStation 2 title renowned for grappling mechanics. • ***WWE WrestleMania XIX*** (2003 — GameCube): GameCube exclusive featuring revenge campaign modes. • ***WWE Day of Reckoning*** (2004 — GameCube): GameCube game featuring overhauled graphics and story elements. • ***WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW Series*** (2004–2010 — PS2 / PS3 / Xbox 360): Multi-platform annual simulation franchise. • ***WWE Legends of WrestleMania*** (2009 — PS3 / Xbox 360): Retro-themed title recreating historic matches. • ***WWE All Stars*** (2011 — PS3 / Xbox 360 / Wii): Over-the-top arcade brawl game pairing legends and current stars. • ***WWE '12*** (2011) & ***WWE '13*** (2012 — Multiplatform): Mainline console titles introducing Attitude Era Showcase modes. • ***WWE 2K14 through WWE 2K20*** (2013–2019 — Multiplatform): Annual simulation series published by 2K Sports. • ***WWE SuperCard*** (2014 — iOS / Android): Collectible digital card game on mobile devices. • ***WWE Champions*** (2017 — iOS / Android): Mobile puzzle-RPG title. • ***WWE 2K Battlegrounds*** (2020 — Multiplatform): Arcade brawler featuring exaggerated character models. • ***WWE 2K22*** (2022 — Multiplatform): Overhauled simulation game re-establishing the 2K franchise. • ***WWE 2K23*** (2023 — Multiplatform): Mainline title featuring WarGames and John Cena Showcase. • ***WWE 2K24*** (2024 — Multiplatform): Dedicated 40 Years of WrestleMania Showcase title. • ***WWE 2K25*** (2025 — Multiplatform): Continuation of the annual simulation franchise. • ***WWE 2K26*** (2026 — PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2): Next-gen title featuring CM Punk on the cover.
Books & Comics
• ***WWF / WWE Magazine*** (1983–2014): Official monthly print publication active across four decades. • ***WWF BattleMania*** (1991): Valiant Comics series starring classic Golden Era wrestlers. • ***Undertaker, Mankind, & Steve Austin Titles*** (1999): Comic book line published by Chaos! Comics.
• ***Have a Nice Day!* by Mick Foley** (1999): Historic autobiography that topped The New York Times Bestseller list. • ***The Rock Says...*** (2000): Bestselling autobiography co-authored by Dwayne Johnson. • ***WWE Encyclopedia Series*** (DK Publishing): Official comprehensive reference volumes documenting wrestlers and title histories. • ***WWE Superstars*** (2013): Graphic novel series published by Papercutz. • ***WWE Core Comic Series*** (2017–2020): Comic book run published by BOOM! Studios covering major rivalries.
