February 20, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWE financials, death of Chavo Guerrero, more

More than ever before, the pro wrestling business has become about getting the most money out of a smaller fan base.

There are fewer people watching the product than at any point in at least 22 years, perhaps longer. But there are more hardcore fans, willing to spend far more money than ever before.

It’s both good and bad. The nature of the business is that this will stay this way. It’s become too difficult and time consuming to the old casual fan, who would watch an hour of television every now and then, perhaps attend one or two big blow-off shows per year, to keep up, and perhaps too silly or unimportant to them as well. But for the people who love wrestling, the amount of product is endless, and it’s going to stay that way.

“It’s about super serving our most passionate fans, and one of the things we have learned is they will consume just about everything we throw at them,” said Chief Strategy and Financial Officer George Barrios.

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