How UFC Got Social Media Right; WWE taking the fight online via social media and people power - Flashback from September 2017, into 2018 and beyond

The relatively young franchise has taken full advantage of social platforms and sports entertainment powerhouse WWE is gaining ground; WWE now king and queen of combat sports and social media in 2018

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Flashback news article shows UFC success with Facebook and other social media platforms; Mirror to WWE online and social media dominance

Octagon ring girls or not; UFC social media packs a punch

UFC's Arianny Celeste, Red Dela Cruz and Brittney Palmer added even more fuel on the fire.

WWE's 'Ravishing Russian' Lana, Mandy Rose and Charlotte Flair lift WWE's game in sports model + + + high stakes

Former WWE Diva's Emma, Summer Rae and Eva Marie will not be overshadowed; WWE women enjoy success after WWE main roster; Paul Heyman's Heyman Hustle 'secret weapon'

WWE women feel The GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling), with Netflix support

Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer, leads by example on social media and at media and business events; Queen of business awards

Heyman Hustle reality television show may air sooner rather than later?; Paul Heyman taking care of loose ends in WWE with Brock Lesnar contract?

WWE male performers find their niche: John Cena, Mike 'The Miz' Mizanin, Kevin Owens, Woken Matt Hardy, Roman Reigns, Titus O'Neil, Finn Balor

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson may be Hollywood's top Box Office across social media platforms

Professional wrestling legends Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and promoter Eric Bischoff cross promote using Facebook Live and Twitter into pop culture and current affairs

Former WWE'ers and UFC'ers keep feuds alive and build buzz via social media; Ken Shamrock pulls no punches in social media

Georges St-Pierre and management use social media buzz to promote speaking engagements outside United States; GSP targets Sydney and Melbourne, Australia

WWE 2K19 shows product promotion via social media channels is no game

ALL IN wrestlers take the right to the big guns via social media and some New Japan Pro Wrestling, NWA, TNA and People Power support; Code (Rhodes), Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks show how its done in and out of the ring

WWE Twitter and WWE Universe Twitter; Cross promotions online; WWE Network Twitter

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It's the UFC vs sports entertainment powerhouse, the WWE.

As the management and performers have found, every week is Fight Week and every month feels like WrestleMania season, as social media and the Twitterverse turn into an epic Goliath bloodbath as events get promoted, feuds are developed and promoted, and the UFC and WWE performers take on the trolls are win.

UFC Discovers Digital

The success of any given sport in the digital age is about far more than its inherent appeal. Global outreach, effective branding and broadcasting, iconic athletes - there are a host of factors at play determining which sports are more or less popular at any given time. UFC - the world’s largest MMA (mixed martial arts) promotion has benefited from ultra effective use of social media.

To anyone not familiar with MMA, it’s like boxing but you can kick, pin, knee, and choke your opponent. The gloves are minimal, the ring is an octagonal cage, and, if you’ve never seen it before, you might be shocked by the sheer lack of apparent rules. More extreme and multi dimensional than boxing, MMA has grown rapidly over the past two decades; what began as a means to determine the most effective form of martial arts through unrestricted competition has morphed into a sport in its own right, adopting rules and regulations to broaden its mainstream appeal while holding onto its brutality.

Early innovators in the world of MMA, hence UFC, include the likes of Art Davie, Judo Gene LeBell (a mentor of UFC - WWE cross over star, Ronda Rousey), Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn, Royce Gracie (and numerous other Gracie family members), and Dana White, who is the top brass of the king of mixed martial arts. In Japan Antonio Inoki, Akira Maeda and Bruce Lee all have to get a major mention, but for different reasons, all linked to the rise in the popularity of martial arts and MMA.

UFC social media scores circa 2017

The UFC’s success on social media has been evident in its numbers. For a relatively niche sport to have 20 million followers across its different social media channels, with 80 brand accounts, is seriously impressive given that it has only been around for 24 years. Last year, UFC 200 was one of the most successful events in the competition’s history. According to Forbes, it made ‘over 13 billion impressions, 3.2 million engagements on Facebook, 246 million impressions on Vine, their custom UFC 200 emoji was used over one million times, their Instagram had 4.3 million engagements, and they gained over 270,000 new fans across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram during the event.’

UFC multi-platform social media approach and strategy

Part of the secret to UFC’s success has been a willingness to embrace new channels. Shanda Maloney, director of Digital Marketing and Social Media for UFC, said: ‘Keep up on new platforms and understand that your audience is engaged on those platforms. If you are going to have a voice in the space, create content that is unique to that platform/audience. Don’t assume the best practice is to push the same content across every platform.’

That being said, there is a danger for all brands looking to exploit social media that in trying to have a presence on each one you can spread yourself too thin, and UFC is committed to giving the best possible experience on each channel. The brand is hoping to bring to both its social media output and its wider coverage is real-time statistics. Analysis and insight has become a vital part of all sports broadcasting, and not least in a sport where bouts are often frantic and short-lived. Viewers want more than just the flurry of the fight; they want expert analysis, statistics, and predictions. It's about creating an interesting experience, and one that can be followed in WWE storyline fashion, be it day after day or week after week. Evolution is key in many regards.

Kristin Adams, former UFC social media manager, said: ‘Social media is very important to us moving forward. You can reach anyone, anywhere in the world and we have fans everywhere. The more we grow and go international, the more people we’re going to want to connect with and keep up-to-date on the cool stuff going on with UFC.’

This emphasis on social media is reflected in the online presence of its president, Dana White. With over 4.6 million followers on Twitter, White’s influence online dwarfs that of former FIFA president Sepp Blatter (2.53 million followers) and FA chairman Greg Dyke (little over 1000 followers). White’s output is constant and focuses heavily on multimedia posts, evidence of the president’s savvy understanding of what builds a following.

UFC 215 is set to take place on September 9 in Edmonton. You can bet on that in the build up to and aftermath of the event, the social media output will be made up of inventive and engaging content. During the event, the body will look to provide its fans with to-the-minute statistics and insight to exploit growing second-screen usage among sports fans. UFC has also been presented a major opportunity in the form of its unparalleled star, Conor McGregor, taking on boxing legend Floyd Mayweather in a fight that is predicted to make hundreds of millions of dollars. The fight is unlikely to go the UFC man’s way, nor is it likely to even be a close contest. UFC is accustomed to being the underdog, though, and if its track record is anything to go by, it’ll be well placed to exploit the publicity.

WWE comments on social media

Stephanie McMahon, always one to stay at the forefront of innovation, attended the 2018 CES expo, following the WWE's further entry into the social media realm with Facebook Watch, and testing the waters with VR (Virtual Reality). Mrs McMahon said the experimental deal with NextVR will see the company produce six virtual reality experiences over the next year, putting viewers face-to-face with WWE Superstars, and letting them "feel what it [is] like for 10,000 people to be cheering for you, or booing you".

"Or what it's like to climb into the ring and be standing face-to-face with the Big Show, who's 7ft 5in [2.3m] tall," she added.

WWE Divas become WWE Women's Division; From bra and panties to WrestleMania worthy main events

One previous popular match format and style, known as "Bra and Panties" involved competitors attempting to strip their opponent - the loser being the first to get down to just their underwear. One might agree that the winners were the fans - well, the ones that liked to watch the semi-dresses competitors.

Mrs McMahon believes that era is now over - and it was pressure from fans airing their frustrations online that forced the change.

"What has started in WWE is actually called the 'women's evolution', and it started because of a hashtag," she explains.

That hashtag, #GiveDivasAChance, began after a women's match lasted just 30 seconds. It was a tipping point.

"Our fans were calling for more enhanced storylines, better character development, more athleticism in matches," Ms McMahon recalls.

The script writers got to work and a new storyline saw Divas renamed, straightforwardly enough, as the Women's Division.

WWE Smackdown ratings from April 2018

According to Nielsen Social, this week’s episode of Smackdown Live brought in 1.422 million total interactions, which is up from 1.330 million last week.

This week’s show had an increase in Facebook and Instagram activity (second and third figures), but saw a drop in Twitter activity (fourth figure). Smackdown was still the top overall ranked show on the night, beating out HGTV’s Fixer Upper and ABC’s Roseanne, which dropped from the top spot to fifth overall.

4/3 WWE Smackdown 1,422 155 1,166 101
3/27 WWE Smackdown 1,330 169 1,052 108

WWE Corporate spells it out on Social Media Disclosure

Investors and others should note that we announce material financial and operational information to our investors using our investor relations website, press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. The company intends to also use @WWEInvestor, @VinceMcMahon and @StephMcMahon, which Mr. McMahon and Ms. McMahon also use as a means for personal communications and observations, as a means of disclosing information about the company, its services and other matters and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. The information we post through these social media channels may be deemed material. Accordingly, investors should monitor these accounts in addition to following the company’s press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. This list may be updated from time to time.

From Greco Roman, the Roman Coliseum, street fighting and smoke filled arena's to UFC Fight Week and WrestleMania, WWE Network and global media conglomerates

MMA and pro wrestling may come from primitive like foundations, but things can and do change from necessity. Necessity is the mother of all inventions. The UFC and WWE powers that be and competitors noticed social media taking hold and capturing fans and media attention. Rather than keep fighting it, these two fighting artforms embraced the social media channels and are now the recognized global leaders in social media use for business.

In ring action remains the foundation of UFC and WWE, but social media keeps adding fuel on the fire, be it to ignite and develop feuds and storylines, move merchandise, sell network subscriptions - its all part of the experience, and what an experience it is customers. See you at the matches.

Red Dela Cruz. Red hot on Instagram and Facebook

Arianny Celeste (Credit: Playboy)

Brittney Palmer and Arianny Celeste. Burning up Instagram and everywhere else!

Paul Heyman’s social media rant from 24th June 2018

“Exactly what is the criterion being used as the hiring process at WWE.com? I truly believe all those who fail to find employment through Human Resources end up in World Wrestling Entertainment‘s version of modified English housed in the digital marketing division. Their latest clickbait is to put up a poll asking you, the WWE Universe, to voice your individual and collective opinion as to whom should be Brock Lesnar’s next challenger. It amazes me that no one has smartened up these recklessly ignorant wannabes and explained to them that Brock Lesnar does what Brock Lesnar wants to do.

“Who’s going to challenge Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship? Whomever is big enough box office to lure Brock Lesnar into a match that makes Brock Lesnar the type of money he commands for a fight. Who’s that going to be? Roman Reigns? The second generation superstar who was second to beat Undertaker at WrestleMania, who failed in his second WrestleMania attempt to take the top title from Brock Lesnar, and similarly failed in his second attempt this year alone in Saudi Arabia? No, Brock Lesnar has no interest in the Sloppy Second Samoan!

“Bobby Lashley? The Man Who Would Be Lesnar? The supposed college standout who won the NAIA Championship because he knew the competition for the Division 1 Championship was too fierce? By the way, remember, when Bobby won the NAIA Title that no one really cared about, Brock Lesnar was making national headlines winning the D1 Heavyweight Championship. When Bobby saw Brock Lesnar ascend to become the biggest box office attraction in UFC, Bobby knew he had no chance against Brock, so he hid behind Scot Coker’s tomato cans in Strikeforce and Bellator, hoping to look good enough to graduate into a once-in-a-lifetime payday position against Brock Lesnar, who has never even heard about Bobby except the few times I mention Bobby’s name to Brock, and always as the punchline to a joke about the pitiful level of pseudo-athletes who think they are even in Brock’s league.

“And then there’s the list of Kurt Angle’s Lesnar-less roster members who will forever practice the intellectual masturbation of thinking they are worthy of sharing the bill with the single biggest attraction in either WWE or UFC. When will the decision makers in WWE grow up and realize the unique status Brock Lesnar has achieved? Why do you think I adamantly refuse to ADVOCATE for anyone else? I don’t want to Walk with Elias. I don’t care who Gets Braun Strowman’s Hands; don’t want to know why Bobby Roode thinks he’s Glorious; have no interest in witnessing Finn Balor prove he’s the best in-ring performer on RAW; no inclination to watch Kevin Owens KO his midcard status; don’t know why Kurt Angle even has a job, and don’t want to Burn it Down with Seth Freakin’ Rollins. I want to CONQUER with Brock Lesnar.

“And until there’s someone who proves themselves to be able to carry their part of the main event, I will continue to ADVOCATE that my client, the reigning defending undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar rejects every request by WWE to exploit his box office appeal and concentrate on more pressing, “Ultimate” opportunities that exist at the moment!”

Heyman and his client Brock Lesnar

Bobby Lashley is quickly on the rise in the WWE. Fans now want to see him face Lesnar, which was the point all along right? Bobby Lashley Twitter

Danielle Moinet aka Summer Rae. Instagram and Twitter

All In Twitter Social media helped sell out a 10,000 seat arena in Chicago. WWE are watching this situation with a keen eye and have put out feelers to Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks Matt and Nick

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and girlfriend Lauren Hashian. Johnson's behind the scenes feud with Vin Diesel was epic and it exploded on social media; 'The Rock' gets the peoples vote

Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair. Both queens of the WWE in 2018

Ronda Rousey social media: Instagram Twitter

Charlotte Flair social media: Instagram Twitter

Lana (C.J. Perry). Instagram Twitter

Naomi is smartly pushing the GLOW on Netflix connection. Twitter Instagram

Naomi feels The Glow (WWE.com)

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Vince McMahon. WWE Chairman and CEO. WWE.com WWE Corporate Twitter

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Dana White. President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

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Hulk Hogan. Living legend of profession wrestling. Multi-time WWE and WCW champion

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Ric Flair. Living legend of professional wrestling. Multi-time NWA and WCW champion. Former WWE champion. Ric Flair official website Ric Flair official shop Facebook Instagram Twitter

Roman Reigns and cousin Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. Reigns knows a thing or two about fighting off trolls and haters

Kevin Owens confronts Shane McMahon. Owens is a master of shutting down the internet trolls and keyboard warriors. Owens have over achieved in the WWE, and is tipped to enjoy a stellar career in the big leagues for a long time to come. KO even used social media to help line up a meeting with performing artist sensation and fellow Canadian Shania Twain

Miz and Maryse. On set of Larry King NOW! Miz Facebook Maryse Facebook Maryse Instagram

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