WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) was founded in 1952 by Jess McMahon and Toots Mondt under the name Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC). The organization promoted wrestling matches throughout the Northeastern United States, featuring names such as Bruno Sammartino, Lou Thesz, and Buddy Rogers.
In the 1980s, WWE experienced a boom in popularity, known as the “Golden Age,” largely due to the charismatic and flamboyant personality of its top star, Hulk Hogan. The company also introduced pay-per-view events, such as WrestleMania, which became annual events and drew a massive audience.
In the 1990s, WWE faced competition from rival promotion WCW, owned by Ted Turner. To combat this, WWE shifted towards more adult-oriented programming, known as the “Attitude Era,” which featured more graphic content and edgier storylines. This era introduced popular stars such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and Triple H.
In 2002, the company split into two brands, Raw and SmackDown, each with their own roster of wrestlers and unique storylines. The brand split ended in 2011, and WWE now presents most of its programming across both Raw and SmackDown.
WWE has continued to evolve and grow, introducing new stars such as John Cena, Roman Reigns, and Becky Lynch, and expanding into international markets. It remains one of the most popular and profitable sports entertainment organizations in the world.