This is a look at the WWE logo and some history behind this popular franchise.
Fictional or factual, WWE, for the past 69 years, has thrilled sporting fans with its signature events. These include Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, Fastlane, and WrestleMania 37. Others are Money in the Bank, Payback, Clash of Champions, and Hell in a Cell.
In Stamford, Connecticut, this family–owned dynasty promotes its exciting shows with a modest logo. Crafted from the brand’s initials, the design is a monogram logotype: It features two uppercase Ws, one on top of the other. Behind it is a red emotional sign.
This wasn’t the original trademark. It only showed up in 2014 after several updates to its predecessors. Yet, it keeps the emotions and graphic elements that fans attached to the brand. It’s elegant and powerful. It also reminds fans of the struggles and pains in the ring.
Without giving a chance to be relegated into the crowd, the WWE logo wrestles and communicates with its faithful fans on Twitter, Snapchat, WhatsApp, and Facebook. It doesn’t stop there! It creates visibility on merchandise and other prominent advertising channels.
The celebrated WWE logo leads a brand estimated to be worth $5.71 billion in 2020. Today, World Wrestling Entertainment is still the world’s leader in professional sporting entertainment.
The Evolution of WWE Logo
From 1952 to 2014, the WWE logo has evolved several times. Many factors compelled the company to update its trademark from time to time. A typical instance was when the directors parted ways with the clean design to enforce the ring’s reality. This gave birth to the scratch logo. Now, put your spectacles on while we explore the changes.
1952 to 1963—The First WWE Logo
The first logo took a creative bite from the company’s initials—CWC. The designer positioned the three letters in a stylized and eye–catching fashion. Keeping their positions, he mirrored the second—C to enclose the letter—W, which looks like two intersecting—Vs. It looked unfussy and neat.
1963 to 1971—The Wrestlers Logo
After eleven years of using the original logo, the company had a new name and logo. This trademark showed two fighting wrestlers and the initials—WWWF on a frame. Above the black squared background was the expanded version of the brand’s name in caps. And below the initials was the inscription—Willie Gilzenberg President, also in uppercase letters.
1971 to 1979—The WWE Earth Logo
WWE opted for its second logo update. The design featured a globe between the company’s name and two bold letters—W. The designer placed the joint white letters in front of the globe with black shadows around it. Whether a mistake or a design choice, the word—Federation showed twice in uppercase letters, it served the entertainment brand for eight years.
1979 to 1982—The Stretched Logo
Compared to the immediate past WWE logo, this updated logo design looked modest but generic. It featured the initials—WWF and its full meaning above a globe. The globe looked stretched. This design came without the second word—Federation.
1982 to 1985—The WWE Classic Logo
The WWE, between 1982 and 1985, used two distinct emblems. The first one featured its iconic letters—WWF in a monogram design style. Here, you’ll find a thin white letter (W) on another thick letter (W). To depict the last letter—F, the designer adjusted the thin white letter—W slightly to the right.
The second version of the logo had a 3D appearance. With the same design style, the emblem became thick and blocky with multiple color patterns. It had colors like yellow, blue, orange, black, white, and others.
1985 to 1995—The WWE Monogram Logo
For about ten years WWF logo became flat. This is because the 3D effect and the several colors faded away. The emblem had a thick black outline, making it look gorgeous, clean, and forceful. Beside the iconic symbol was the registered mark – ®.
1995 to 1997—The New WWE Logo
The next WWF logo went off the norm. It was targeted at the new era of youthful talents. The stylized logotype moved anticlockwise, about 90 degrees, and came with bright colors—blue and yellow. It got featured on a squared frame background.
1997 to 2002—The Emotional Logo
Bruce Prichard experimented with the previous logo by defacing it. The result was a scratched design which Vince loved dearly. This event inspired the 1997 logo, and it replaced the colored trademark. With a red underline below the letters, the injured WWF logo cried aloud in agony.
2002 to 2014—Get the F Out Logo
After losing a court case to the World Wildlife Foundation, WWF changed its name and emblem. It kept its famous logo style but erased the letter—F as it’s no longer using the name Federation. The company celebrated this new logo with the campaign—Get the F Out.
2014 to Present—The Network Era Logo
John Lefteratos designed the current emblem. It was announced in 2012 but unveiled in 2014. This version of the WWE logo is clean, lucid, and with smooth lines. You can see the two black letters with white space between them. John kept the red mark behind the letters.
Why does WWE Logo Works?
1. The Logo Is Unique:
The WWE logo is a warrior in the ring. It’s unlike any other emblem in the entertainment industry. With this distinctive identity, fans can easily differentiate it from other competing brands. You can only cheer it up among the iconic trademarks.
2. The Logo Is Relevant:
The twin letters and their emotional red mark relate closely to the event and the brand they represent. While the letters remind fans of the brand, the red mark helps them to understand the agony in the ring.
3. The Logo Is Modest:
Though the brand has had some detailed trademarks in the past, the current one is simple. With just the correct graphic elements—two letters, a mark, and color, the WWE logo is clean. This gives it a classic outlook and evokes its personality in plain language.
4. The Logo Is Versatile:
Just name any marketing medium, and you’ll find the WWE logo fighting and defeating its opponents on the way. It can effortlessly scale on any channel because it has a minimalist layout.
5. The Logo Is Memorable:
Fans can easily remember the WWE logo because it’s not elaborate. Having a clean layout means fans can look at the trademark and memorize it. That builds an emotional link between the brand and its passionate supporters.
The WWE Logo Design Elements
World Wrestling Entertainment loves modest logos. Its trademarks have featured some fantastic graphic elements, making them highly recognized worldwide. Let’s explore a few of them.
The WWE Symbol and Shape
1. A Horn:
A horn is an animal’s weapon—defensive power. The maiden WWE logo used in 1952 looked like horns. As a horn, it symbolizes supremacy, sovereignty, and strength. These are perfect emotions for an entertainment firm that focuses on fighting as a sport.
2. A Square:
The WWE logo had at some point in time used a square frame. As an essential graphic element, designers used it to symbolize loyalty, community, and direction. You can also link it to the earth’s four directions—north, south, east, and west.
3. A Curve Line:
Out of the blue, a curved mark inked into the WWE logo. This tremendous red sign first came to light in 1997. And according to the company’s directors, it’s a scratch that represents blood.
The WWE Logo Colors:
1. Black Color:
Graphic artists use black to define the unknown, negative aspects of our lives and greatness. From the first logo to the latest one, the WWE logos favor this neutral color of power. Black signifies elegance, wealth, and authority. It can also speak of fear, evil, and sadness.
2. White Color:
The white color gives balance and clarity to the black in the WWE logo design. Often, branding experts associate the color with purity, cleanliness, and humility. White, the color of snow, also represents goodness, simplicity, and peace.
3. Blue Color:
The WWE logo used from 1995 has blue as one of its bright colors. To convey trust, calmness, and unity, blue is the best color to use. In the natural world, it connects with the sky and water bodies. As a primary color, it can also signify stability and confidence.
4. Yellow Color:
The yellow color portrays joy, hope, and happiness. Gold and sunshine give us a simple idea of this striking color. Like its partner, blue, it featured on the WWE logo unveiled in 1995. Aside from red, it’s the most favored color for grabbing people’s attention.
Who Started WWE?
The World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is a family–oriented business. The McMahon family holds the credit for founding it in the early 1950s in the United States. Jess McMahon laid the foundation, and after his death, his son, Vincent J. McMahon, continued.
This Irish–American family traces its root from the McMahon clan in Western Ireland. The family is famous for its passion, massive investment, and influence on professional wrestling. Today, members of the family are owners and promoters of the brand.
Jess McMahon Sr. was born on May 26, 1882. He was a professional wrestling and boxing promoter who founded Capitol Wrestling Corporation in 1952. Suddenly, he died on November 22, 1954, leaving the company in the hands of his son, Vincent.
How Did WWE Begin?
When he was 33 years, Jess McMahon, a wrestling and boxing enthusiast, started promoting wrestling shows in 1915. Together with Toots Mondt, they found the Capitol Wrestling Corporation in 1952. It was a part of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
Vincent J. McMahon took over the ownership of the company after the death of his father in 1954. The Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC) left the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in January 1963 over a disputed championship involving Buddy Rogers and Lou Thesz.
After this unpleasant event, the directors adopted the name World Wide Wrestling Federation on January 24, 1963. Three months on, Buddy Rogers became the maiden WWWF World Heavyweight Champion in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Roger’s win didn’t last for long. On May 17, 1963, he lost the title to Bruno Sammartino following a heart attack before the game. Bruno dominated the championship, becoming the most extended titleholder in wrestling history to reign for nearly eight years (2,803 days).
Toots Mondt left the company in the latter part of the 1960s, allowing Vincent J. McMahon to control it. In 1979, Vincent K. McMahon, son of Vincent J. McMahon took over its mantle and renamed it the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
Along with his wife, Linda McMahon, Vincent K. McMahon formed Titan Sports, Inc. and applied for the trademark—WWF in 1980. In 1984, the golden age of wrestling was established with Hulk Hogan as the brand’s face.
The company launched WrestleMania in 1985, and it featured Cyndi Lauper, Mohammed Ali, and Liberace. This was followed by SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and the King of the Ring in 1985. Fast forward to 1999, and the company went public on the NYSE.
In 2001, WWF bought the World Championship Wrestling (WCW), making it the world’s largest wrestling brand. The year after, the company changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) because it shared the same initials with another company.
In 2016, WWE gave the women’s championship a considerable boost and in 2018 announced the first-ever women’s pay–per–view on RAW. Today, Vince McMahon is the president and CEO of the company. He owns the most extensive stock, about 42 percent.
How Big Is WWE?
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American media and entertainment powerhouse. Though widely recognized with professional wrestling, its other products include films, sports, music, finance, publishing, and merchandise.
As of 2017, the company had a staff of about 850 employees. These passionate paid workers ensure you get the best viewing pleasure at the comfort of your homes. According to Wrestling, Inc., WWE RAW had a total viewership of 97.744 million viewers over 52 episodes.
It reported that this averages 1.880 million views per episode. These are estimates from January to December 2020 on USA Network. Considering that WWE is a worldwide favored sport, these figures are just a fraction of the global viewership.
It’s natural to think more viewership would translate into massive profit. You aren’t far from the figures. At the end of the 2020 fiscal year, its revenue stood at $974.2 million, net income around $131.8 million, and total assets at $1.2 billion.
In about 150 countries, loyal fans stay glued to their television sets to watch entertaining performances such as WrestleMania, Raw, and SmackDown. These are part of the nearly 320 live shows the company stages and airs annually.
What Does WWE Stand For?
WWE is the shortened form of World Wrestling Entertainment. In 2002, after a legal directive, the directors adopted this acronym to replace the WWF. These letters stand for World Wrestling Federation, and it shared the same initials with the World Wildlife Foundation.
Who Owns WWE?
In October 1999, the New York Stock Exchange listed WWE on its investment platform. The initial price per share was $22, and the company offers two classes of stocks—common and preferred stocks.
From family to friends, these are some of the owners: Vince McMahon, Lindsell Train Limited, Stephanie McMahon, and Vanguard Group. Others include Paul Levesque and Linda McMahon.
My Final Words On WWE
From grandfather to grandchildren, the McMahon family has built a lucrative and robust brand. The successive bloodlines have kept the legacy ongoing and have held their leadership position for decades. It’s never easy to survive in such a competitive industry.
One of the company’s strategies to success is its focus on promotion. The management knows how to advertise and use stories to sell their exciting events. These marketing campaigns always come with its consistent and trustworthy logo. The WWE logo has never failed to excite fans!
