10 Signs a new "Wrestling War" is brewing.

Wrestling has always been a very competitive business. Despite being shunned by most major media outlets as 'trashy' or anti-intellectual, pro wrestling continues to thrive even as other stalwarts of the broadcasting industry--such as nightly news programs--are fading into obscurity.

When you examine the history of pro wrestling, you'll find it used to be a fairly regional business. Much like you might find Schnuck's stores in the midwest and HEB grocers in Texas, the brand of wrestling you encountered would be different depending on what part of the country you lived in.

That all changed when two entities in the 1980s began duking it out for supremacy. One was the then-WWF, which had made major strides largely by invading the territory of other promotions and courting their major talent. The other was the NWA, ostensibly a clustering of various regional promotions, but many recognize Jim Crockett as the unofficial ruler of the National Wrestling Alliance.

Eventually, JC Productions would be bought by Ted Turner, and while the NWA continued to exist as its own entity for all intents and purposes NWA stars became WCW stars. As WWE achieved global dominance, WCW began to lure away their rival's major stars, including the biggest star of the 1980s--Hulk Hogan.

Thus began the Monday Night War, a period in which WWE had to share the market with a rival nearly as large and determined as themselves. Both companies pulled out all the stops to outdo each other, and the period is fondly remembered by fans as one of the most dynamic and exciting times in wrestling history.

WWE would win the Monday Night War, and buy out the rival WCW promotion. Despite a brief attempt by TNA wrestling to oppose WWE on Monday nights, Vince McMahon's federation has been the unquestioned ruler of sports entertainment since 2002.

But that could all be changing. Wrestlers are funding their own shows, utilizing social media, and taking control of their own brand. And smaller federations, which are normally shut out of major broadcast deals with television media, are able to utilize the internet and streaming to get their product in front of the eyeballs of wrestling fans the world over.

In this ever-changing landscape, could it be that a new wrestling war is brewing? Here are ten signs that this could come to pass.

#1.Cable network deals don't mean what they used to.

WWE and USA network

have

a

decades long

association.

Something that used to hold smaller federations back was their inability to get their product seen by a mass audience. Cable television is fiercely competitive, and only those shows who can garner sufficient ratings and advertising are considered for promotion or prime time slots.

WWE formed a partnership with USA network back in the 1980s, when cable was king. Their long association led to Monday Night Raw, a program that has been on the air for longer than many wrestling fans have been alive.

However, times are changing. Cable television must now contend with many challengers due to streaming services and the internet. While federations like PWG may not be able to secure a deal with a major broadcasting company, they can film and distribute their shows via the internet with relative ease. To be clear, any serious challenger to WWE's supremacy will likely HAVE to get a network deal, but it's no longer the game changer it once was.

#2. Wrestling styles have evolved.

When Vince McMahon was expanding his wrestling empire in the 1980s, he hired people with experience in television and film to help present the WWE in the most TV-friendly format possible.

This led to the development of 'WWE style' of wrestling. In the WWE style, the pace of the match is dictated by available airtime, camera angles, and how it will look on a television screen as much as it is by the wrestlers themselves. WWE matches are often shorter than independent style matches, and feature heels taking rapid multiple bumps to make babyfaces look better.

However, the independent style of wrestling has been catching on with the mainstream audience. Independent style has incorporated a great deal of influence from MMA and Lucha Libre. Matches are longer, more competitive, and heels are often portrayed as being just as competent as their babyface rivals. With more choices on the menu, some wrestling fans may choose to forego WWE in favor of another promotion.

#3. WWE has been signing a different kind of wrestler than is normal for them.

When faced with competition, WWE's usual strategy has been to double down on their proven formula; Bigger wrestlers, more emotional stakes, and pushing their 'homegrown' talent above all others.

Things seem to be changing, however. WWE has gone to a great deal of trouble to sign men like Adam Cole and Keith Lee, neither of whom fit the typical mold of a WWE superstar. Cole is on the smaller side, while Lee appears overweight in spite of his fantastic athleticism. If the WWE was not reading the signs of a new wrestling war brewing, they would likely not be going outside the box on these hires.

#4. Wrestling is becoming more popular.

The mere fact that the Fox network has reached a deal to broadcast Smackdown next year is a major sign of wrestling's growing popularity.

After a slump in the mid-2000s, wrestling is on the rebound. The WWE and various other federations have enjoyed a bump in revenue, and the attention of fans around the world. In our capitalist society, when someone sees that a certain property or genre is popular, there will inevitably be imitators. The recent boom in superhero films is proof of this phenomenon. With so much attention on wrestling, there are bound to be new contenders entering the fray.

#5. Wrestlers are able to operate independently--and be financially successful.

Cody and the Young Bucks are just the most visible examples of how wrestling talent is taking control of their own destiny.

While for many years wrestlers were often at the mercy of the various promoters, many are finding that they can achieve wealth and success by remaining independent of any one company. Cody Rhodes claims to be making a great deal more income on his own than when he was signed with WWE.

If a new wrestling war does break out, WWE, Lucha Underground, ROH, and Impact may find they have unexpected competition from the wrestlers themselves...which leads us to the next slide.

#6. All In is a game changer.

While there have been wrestler-promoters before, such as Jerry Lawler, Cody and the Young Bucks have done something a bit different. They have planned, funded, and will soon execute the first ever wrestler-produced show; All In.

With numerous wrestling all-stars like Chris Jericho set to rub shoulders with Hollywood film stars like Stephen Amell, the event sold out in a single day and has the entire wrestling world abuzz. It's gotten so much interest that ROH has gotten involved, though they are not actually producing the show and will only help with distribution.

If wrestlers can pull off their own super shows, the various federations like WWE and TNA could face a war on multiple fronts.

#7. The WWE is expanding world wide.

While WWE has always toured around the world, it has been with their own often American talent.

Now, however, WWE is keen on building territories all over the world featuring wrestlers the people in those nations will likely recognize and appreciate. WWE's desire to expand its market beyond the United States speaks volumes, because if the new wrestling war occurs they will need to diversify to better weather the storm. It's also a sign of wrestling's surging popularity.

#8. ROH and New Japan are invading "McMahon territory."

A lot of people don't realize how much power Vince McMahon actually can bring to bear. Not only is he the unquestioned lord and master of WWE, he also has a great deal of political and corporate clout.

So when New Japan and ROH decided to run a show from Madison Square Garden, one of the most famous arenas in the world and considered WWE territory, McMahon tried to use his various outlets of power to stop the show. While he was initially successful in shutting down negotiations for the G1 Supercard, they were forced to relent when ROH threatened litigation.

With New Japan and ROH right in McMahon's backyard--and on Wrestlemania weekend, no less--it's a sign that the new wrestling war could begin as early as next year...if it hasn't already started.

#9. The WWE is planning big changes.

With AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura on the main roster, and the Undisputed Era on NXT, as well as Deonna Purrazzo, some critics have pointed out that WWE is starting to look a lot like Ring of Honor a few years ago.

The WWE hasn't been as successful as they are without being able to read a sea change, and the changing and evolving pro wrestling marketplace has led them to plant the seeds for a change of their own. The influence of the former ROH and New Japan stars will be felt for years, if not decades, just the way WWE intends. They have no intention of being caught without an army for the upcoming wrestling war.

#10. Fan excitement is at an all-time high.

fans!

They might complain about the product, they may make posts on social media voicing their displeasure, but wrestling fans are becoming more emotionally invested in the sport.

This is true for all the federations, WWE included. The more interest there is in pro wrestling, the more the industry will turn up the volume in an attempt to claim the lion's share of fandom. Thanks to the Rock and John Cena, pro wrestlers are no longer considered something embarrassing but rather legitimate entertainment entities.

Now there aren't just wrestling live shows and televised events; There are wrestling themed cruises, wrestling conventions, wrestling cartoons, and wrestling toy lines in ever major discount store in America. When wrestling becomes hot, so does the competition.

Conclusion: A new wrestling war would be good for everyone--including current top dog WWE.

Eric Bischoff once said "Controversy creates cash." With all respect, we would like to amend that to say; "Competition creates cash."

The WWE and WCW effectively made wrestling, which had faded from its 1980s glory, relevant and 'cool' again with their Monday Night War . If the entire industry gets involved in the competition for ratings, buyrates, and fans, then it will mean nothing but blue skies and big paydays for the entire business.

In short, a new wrestling war might be brewing, but unlike real war which leaves only ruin and destruction in its wake, this kind of war will lead to massive growth of the wrestling industry.

Which is good news for fans and the WWE alike!