Do You Smell What The WWE Is Cooking?

If I asked you to think of a company that employs aggressive social media strategies to promote its products and services, it’s likely that World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) wouldn’t be at the top of your list. It’s okay; I understand. Over-the-top, predetermined “wrestling matches” featuring big, sweaty dudes in tights and cutting edge technology seem to be strange bedfellows. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that, in addition to marketing efforts on Facebook and Twitter, the WWE has its very own social media network.

WWE UNIVERSE

WWE Universe launched on November 18, 2008. Similar to Facebook and Myspace, it allows users to create profiles and network with other users. Quite a few WWE Superstars have official profiles on WWE Universe and interact directly with fans. Mind you, these profiles don’t get updated too often with the performers, well, performing and being on the road constantly. That being said, when they are updated, fans are treated to personal musings and photos from their favorite Superstars. Here’s former World Champion, and kinda-sorta film star, John Cena blogging from a show in Iraq.

MASH-UPS AND SMACKDOWNS

Perhaps one of the coolest features on WWE Universe is the ability for users to create their own video “mash-ups” from hundreds of wrestling clips. I decided to give this feature a try and went old school with a mash-up featuring the one and only Macho Man Randy Savage. Ohhhh yeeeeaaaah!!!

THE SQUARED CIRCLE

What is a social networking site without a place for users to chat, discuss, and debate? On WWE Universe, that place is the forum where users share their opinions on the good, the bad, and the ugly. Here, a WWE fan can find posts on a variety of topics from the top 5 wrestlers in WWE (my list, in no particular order, is Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, Shawn Michaels, and Edge) to how bad certain announcers are. As with many other social networking sites, there is a limit to the type of content that can be posted. According to the official WWE Universe Terms and Conditions of Use: You may not post or transmit any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, inflammatory, pornographic or profane material or any material that could constitute or encourage conduct that would be considered a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise violate any law or any of these Terms of Use, or any other term or condition of use posted on this web site.

EXCLUSIVES

Visitors of WWE Universe can also view exclusive video content. These videos range from classic wrestling matches to backstage interviews. There’s even an interview with William Shatner, Captain Kirk himself, who talks about the reasons why he agreed to guest host Monday Night Raw in January (aside the fat paycheck he received from Mr. McMahon).

THE WINNER AND STILL CHAMPION…

If you’re a wrestling super fan (and, really, who isn’t?) then WWE Universe is a dream come true. World Wrestling Entertainment deserves some credit for going the extra mile to create its own social networking website. The WWE is a hugely successful corporation and will no doubt continue to be so in the future thanks, in part, to forward thinking social media strategies like WWE Universe.