While speaking with TMZ Inside The Ring, MVP shared his perspective on the tribalism among wrestling fans and expressed his concerns about the direction of WWE’s business. He called the constant fighting between fanbases “ridiculous” and used a food analogy to encourage people to enjoy the variety of products available simply.
“I think the tribalism, too, is just ridiculous,” MVP said. “I like burgers. I’m a big fan of burgers. And if you tell me, ‘Oh man, I love burgers too, but I only eat McDonald’s burgers.’ Well, do you like burgers, or do you like McDonald’s? Because if you like burgers, then there’s a whole bunch of different styles and chains that you can eat from, and you might enjoy having some burgers outside of the McDonald’s burgers.” He also reminded fans that the wrestlers themselves don’t share this animosity, stating, “The talent within those companies. They’re not doing what you’re doing. We’re rooting for each other. We want to see our friends do well.”
When the conversation shifted to business practices, MVP carefully chose his words while critiquing what he sees as an overemphasis on profit by WWE, which could alienate its core audience. “I think that there has been an emphasis on profit with the increasing corporatization of one side, without regard for the fans who help make the company what it is. And sadly, I think that’s happening not just in wrestling.”
He contrasted this with what he feels is AEW’s approach, which remains more focused on its fanbase. “I think that at AEW, we are still very concerned about that grassroots fandom… you got to remember that the business aspect of things, however, I get a little, I question maximizing profit to the point that you price out those grassroots fans who have been there from day one, kind of thing.”
MVP’s comments were made following a weekend where AEW and WWE held pay-per-view events, All Out and Wrestlepalooza, respectively, on the same day. Under parent company TKO Group Holdings, WWE has increased its efforts to maximize revenue through significant sponsorship deals, leading to more visible branding on its programming.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit TMZ Inside The Ring with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
