Tag Team Tech: Dissecting The WWE x IGN Esports Showdown And Forecasting A Potential Rematch

The crowd’s roar, the flashing lights, the larger-than-life personalities—these are the trappings of a WWE event. But what do you get when you trade the squared circle for the digital ring? In 2017, WWE and IGN tried to provide an answer with the WWE x IGN Esports Showdown, an ambitious and one-of-a-kind endeavor that aimed to combine the spectacle of professional wrestling with the upstart world of esports. Though a one-time event, its success and the changing landscape of both industries raise the question: might we see a rematch? This article will explore the specifics of the original showdown, examine its impact, and discuss the variables that could result in a successful return.

Genesis of the Glitch: The WWE x IGN Esports Showdown is Born

In 2017, the esports industry was already expanding exponentially, attracting millions of viewers and investment dollars. WWE, always on the search for new ways to expand its brand and attract new fans, saw the opportunity to get in on this new market. Partnering with IGN, one of the leading video game and entertainment media companies, seemed like a natural fit.

The idea was straightforward, if novel: take WWE Superstars, who are recognized for their athleticism, charisma, and competitive nature, and match them against one another (and occasionally against professional gamers) in a series of video games. The show would be a live, 90-minute livestream, combining the spectacle of a WWE broadcast with the competitive drama of an esports competition.

Why IGN? The Perfect Partner in Pixelated Crime

WWE’s decision to partner with IGN was a strategic one. IGN has a huge, loyal following of gamers, tech fans, and entertainment consumers. Their experience in creating high-quality video game content and livestream events was invaluable in making the WWE x IGN Esports Showdown a professional and entertaining experience. In addition, IGN’s reputation in the gaming world gave WWE’s entry into esports credibility.

The Lineup: Assembling the Digital Dream Team

The talent of any event makes or breaks its success, and the WWE x IGN Esports Showdown brought a star-studded lineup to both sides of the controller. The WWE side featured:

AJ Styles: Nicknamed “The Phenomenal One,” Styles is a seasoned wrestler with a background in technical grappling and in-ring athleticism. He’s also a self-proclaimed gamer, so he’s a natural for the event.

Sasha Banks: “The Boss” is a multi-time Women’s Champion who is renowned for her intense competitiveness and charisma. She added a powerful female presence to the showdown.

Cesaro, “The Swiss Superman,” is renowned for his incredible strength and athleticism. His surprising agility with a controller made him a compelling competitor.

Kofi Kingston: A part of the fan-favorite stable “The New Day,” Kingston is a high-flyer with infectious enthusiasm. His good vibes contributed to the event’s overall enjoyment.

These WWE Superstars were accompanied by professional gamers, who further raised the level of competition and offered useful expertise. Though individual names of the gaming professionals involved are more difficult to verify without direct access to event archives, their involvement added legitimacy to the event and demonstrated the skill that went into competitive gaming.

The Arena: Where Pixels Met Powerbombs

The WWE x IGN Esports Showdown was held at The Garage in New York City, a modern event space featuring state-of-the-art technology. The venue was tailored to fit the unique combination of WWE and esports and featured:

WWE-style entrance ramps and lighting: Mimicking the characteristic entrances of WWE events, such as dramatic lighting and entrance videos.

Gaming stations: Equipped with high-end gaming PCs, consoles, and accessories for a smooth and competitive gaming experience.

Commentary booth: Offering play-by-play commentary and expert analysis, contributing to the drama and excitement of the event.

Live audience: Comprised of fans, media, and industry professionals, it offers an energetic and interactive atmosphere.

Level One: The Games and the Glory

The focal point of the WWE x IGN Esports Showdown was, of course, the video games themselves. The event featured a variety of titles, carefully chosen to appeal to both wrestling fans and gamers. While exact information on what games were played is difficult to find due to the age of the event and the lack of archived content, it’s likely that the roster included:

WWE 2K series: The most logical option, which lets WWE Superstars play as their video game avatars. This provided a smooth mix of gaming and wrestling, which catered directly to WWE fans.

Fighting games (e.g., Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat): These games are esports mainstays, providing quick, competitive action that appeals to gamers.

Sports games (e.g., FIFA, NBA 2K): Offering a recognizable and accessible genre for both WWE Superstars and fans.

Party games (i.e., Mario Kart, Overcooked): Bringing a humorous and lighthearted touch to the proceedings, highlighting the WWE Superstars’ personalities, and engaging with the audience.

The format probably included a mix of individual matches and team competitions, enabling diverse play styles and strategies. The commentary team offered context and insights, discussing the abilities of the players and the intricacies of the games.

More than Just Gaming: The WWE Factor

What differentiated the WWE x IGN Esports Showdown from the standard esports event was the integration of WWE’s special brand of entertainment. This involved:

Trash talk: WWE Superstars are verbal sparring pros, and they took their A-game to the online space, playfully bantering and taunting their opponents.

Character work: Despite being in the virtual world, WWE Superstars stayed in character, bringing an element of theater and entertainment to the event.

Crowd interaction: Interacting with the live crowd, giving autographs, and taking photographs, making the experience special for the fans.

This combination of entertainment and gaming provided an innovative and captivating experience that appealed to WWE enthusiasts as well as esports fans.

Game Over? Examining the Impact and Legacy of the Showdown

The WWE x IGN Esports Showdown was both a commercial and critical success, gaining accolades in the gaming community and creating good publicity for WWE and IGN. Although viewership figures are hard to conclusively determine years after the fact, the event was streamed and talked about extensively on social media, suggesting a large reach.

Beyond the Numbers: The Lasting Impact

The WWE x IGN Esports Showdown proved that

WWE can thrive in esports: The event showed that WWE’s brand name, star power, and special type of entertainment can be applied to competitive gaming.

There is an audience for WWE-related esports content: The event had a varied audience, which points to an appetite for content that combines wrestling and gaming.

Partnerships are the path to success: Partnering with IGN gave WWE the know-how and resources to produce a quality esports event.

The event also acted as an educational experience for WWE, teaching them about the esports sector and guiding their eventual forays into gaming.

DLC Potential: Factors Favoring a Future Showdown

Though the WWE x IGN Esports Showdown was a one-off, the situation in both industries has shifted considerably since 2017, and a future showdown is a very real possibility. There are a number of reasons for this:

The Explosive Growth of Esports: The esports sector has seen massive growth in the last few years, with billions of dollars being invested and a global audience of hundreds of millions. Such growth makes esports an even more viable market for WWE to enter.

WWE’s Ongoing Investment in Gaming: WWE has persisted in investing in gaming via its WWE 2K franchise, mobile gaming, and affiliations with gaming platforms. This illustrates their continued interest in the gaming sector.

The Rise of Streaming and Content Creation: Streaming services such as Twitch and YouTube have transformed how video game content is consumed. A future battle could utilize these platforms to reach a huge audience and bring in considerable revenue.

The Evolution of WWE’s Brand: WWE has been placing more and more emphasis on digital content and interacting with fans on the web. An esports event fits squarely into that strategy.

Shifting Demographics of WWE Fans: WWE fans are becoming more diverse and technologically inclined, and more fans are describing themselves as gamers.

The Power of Nostalgia: Reviving the WWE x IGN Esports Showdown would be able to leverage nostalgia for the initial event, drawing in viewers who appreciated it the first time.

Possible Obstacles to a Rematch

In spite of the positive elements, there are also prospective issues to reviving the WWE x IGN Esports Showdown:

Finding the Right Timing: It may be difficult to schedule an event that does not overlap with WWE’s current programming or other prominent esports events.

Securing Sponsorship: Sponsors willing to invest in a WWE-related esports event can be attracted by having a good marketing strategy and a solid value proposition.

Being Authentic: It is important that the event is kept authentic to both WWE’s brand and the esports principles in order to retain credibility.

Evolving Game Landscape: Deciding which specific games to feature that are currently popular and competitive will be crucial.

Talent Availability: Obtaining commitments from the best WWE Superstars and well-established professional gamers might be a logistical challenge.

Patch Notes: What Could Make a Future Faceoff Even Better

If the WWE x IGN Esports Showdown were to come back, here are some ways it could be enhanced:

Enhanced Fan Engagement: Adding more ways for the fans to engage with the WWE Superstars and pro gamers, including Q&A sessions, meet-and-greets, and online polls.

Increased Game Variety: With a larger range of games, from AAA titles to independent games, to attract more people.

Greater Production Value: Investing more in improved production equipment and experienced esports commentators to create a more professional and engaging viewing experience.

Integration with WWE Storylines: Incorporating the esports event into current WWE storylines, providing an element of drama and intrigue.

Charitable Element: Collaborating with a charity and contributing a share of the proceeds to a good cause, adding a social benefit to the event.

Develop a longer event: Expanding the event beyond 90 minutes.

Increased Promotion: Providing additional promotion to the event will grant the event greater reach.

Ready Player Two? The Future of WWE in Esports

The WWE x IGN Esports Showdown was an ambitious experiment that showed the promise of crossover between the worlds of wrestling and gaming. Though the event was a one-time affair, the changing nature of both industries in the years since points to a rematch being not just possible but potentially even more successful. By taking lessons from the inaugural event and leaning into the newest trends in esports and digital content, WWE could make significant inroads into the world of competitive gaming, reaching a new generation of fans and pushing its brand into the digital realm. Only time will tell if we’ll get a “Level Two” of this unique crossover, but the seeds of its possibility have already been planted.