2014: The Year The Internet Won

"They cheer, they boo. That's how they tell us what they like, and we're good listeners."  -Vince McMahon, Playboy, Feb. 2001

It’s been said the fans that make up the Internet Wrestling Community are but a small fraction of the entire professional wrestling audience. At one point in time that was certainly true, but it feels laughably unlikely today.

It’s been reported World Wrestling Entertainment chairman Vince McMahon completely ignores the internet and the IWC. That also was certainly true in the past. It may still hold true today, but even if it does, McMahon’s opinion is irrelevant. Others in WWE are listening, and the IWC’s voice is more powerful and influential than ever.

In 2014, the IWC rallied behind its favorite performer…and this time it actually worked! A movement that started online entered the real world, resulting in a swell of support for IWC darling Daniel Bryan. He rode that wave all the way to the main event of WrestleMania XXX and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

At the same time, WWE moved into our neighborhood. It launched the WWE Network, turning its back on the traditional pay-per-view model and betting its future on its most loyal fans. The venture remains a work in progress. Subscriber numbers have not met WWE’s projections. Still, the overall quality of the content is hard to argue.


In 2014, NXT went from a product seen by a dedicated few to one with thousands - perhaps millions - of die-hard fans around the world. It became the home for the IWC’s new favorites: Sami Zayn, Adrian Neville, Finn Balor, Hideo Itami, Kevin Owens and others. All were welcomed enthusiastically by NXT’s knowledgeable and boisterous fans.

The guys and girls on NXT are further proof that you don't have to be on traditional television to make a name for yourself. Bad News Barrett was born online. You can trace his refreshed character's origin back to 2013, when he started appearing on "The JBL and Cole Show" on WWE's YouTube channel. Barrett recently revealed to The Huffington Post that his ascent is part of a broader philosophical shift at WWE.

"Traditionally, WWE used to shy away from that internet kind of fan base, but I think increasingly, in life in general and every aspect of entertainment, social media, the internet fan base is now massive."

So it's in our hands now. What began as a tiny pocket of fans that were unwanted and looked down upon by many inside WWE now holds the future of the most powerful pro wrestling company on the planet in our hands.

In 2014, professional wrestling entered a new era. Many of the old rules no longer apply. Many new rules are still being written. Get ready to embrace The IWC Era. Before it’s over, just about every follower of professional wrestling will be part of our passionate family of fans.