WWE Magazine

WWE Magazine
First issue 1983
Final issue October 2014 (though the special edition issues are still being published)
Company WWE
Country USA
Based in Stamford, Connecticut
Language English
Website

WWE Magazine was the official professional wrestling magazine of WWE. This incarnation of the magazine contains lifestyle sections, a monthly calendar, entertainment, work out tips, and other information. It was announced in July 2014 that after thirty years, the magazine would cease production, although special issues would continue to be published.[1][2]

History

WWE Magazine has gone through many incarnations throughout the years. It was originally known as WWF Victory Magazine from its debut issue in 1983[3] through the third issue of publication.

Starting with the third issue (April/May 1984) it became known as World Wrestling Federation Magazine (or WWF Magazine for short), with newly crowned WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan on the cover. WWF Magazine would continue to be bi-monthly until June 1987, in which it would become a monthly operation and a staple of the WWF for the next decade. For several years, WWF Magazine operated as a kayfabe magazine; stories included biographies of wrestlers and feuds, as well as previews of upcoming events, editorials, and other features targeted at younger audiences; excerpts from letters to the editor, mainly from fans commenting on the wrestlers and angles, were also published.

In April 1996, the WWF decided to create a second magazine called Raw Magazine, which became a focus on behind the scenes activity, focusing on wrestlers real life profiles. It debuted with the May/June 1996 issue, and was bi-monthly until the January 1998 issue.

In May 2002, the World Wrestling Federation became known as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and therefore the magazine was changed accordingly to WWE Magazine starting with the June 2002 issue.

Shortly before that, the WWF/E had split up into two brands, Raw and SmackDown!. WWE Magazine and Raw Magazine were unaffected, however, until the January 2004 issues, in which WWE decided to have separate magazines for their respective brands. Raw Magazine retained its name but followed the style of WWE Magazine however, it focused solely on the Raw brand. WWE Magazine became SmackDown! Magazine, and would focus solely on the SmackDown! brand. That lasted until the summer of 2006, in which Raw Magazine and SmackDown Magazine would be discontinued and a new WWE Magazine would debut with the August 2006 issue (Dave Batista cover).

The new WWE Magazine was designed to move away from being solely a wrestling magazine. Instead the majority of the magazine contained lifestyle tips, product reviews and photos of WWE's superstars and divas outside the ring. The new style was similar to current men's magazines, such as Maxim and Stuff.

In the May 2012 issue, a new "Jerk of the Month" belt debuted with Daniel Bryan wearing the belt in the issue. It replaced the police mugshots which had been featured since the May 2008 issue. It was later replaced with a trophy.[4]

On July 31, 2014, it was announced that WWE Magazine would cease production due to budget cuts as well as a decline in circulation. The last issue (October 2014) would be available on September 16, 2014.[5] The final edition of WWE Magazine featured Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose on the cover, former members of The Shield.

Despite WWE Magazine shutting down, there were reports of fans receiving offers from WWEshop.com that advertised a reduced rate subscription to the magazine for just $19.97 per year.[6]

Despite the shutdown of WWE Magazine, special edition issues such as "Photos of the Year," "The 2015 Preview" and "WrestleMania 31 Yearbook" continue to be published on a monthly basis.[7]

Breaking kayfabe

On very rare occasions, kayfabe would be broken; such instances would be if a wrestler had died or if the topic had such far-reaching interest to WWF fans that it could not be ignored. Notable examples of the magazine breaking kayfabe were the 1990 parasailing accident that injured Brutus "the Barber" Beefcake (at the time, one of the WWF's biggest stars), and the 1992 divorce of Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth.

In the September 1993 issue, the magazine was to introduce a semi-regular feature titled "Now It's Our Turn", which was to present the WWF's official (non-kayfabe) explanations/defenses against accusations from former wrestlers and employees. Although one lengthy column focusing on Superstar Billy Graham was published, the feature did not appear again.

Contents

BRAWL

KNOWLEDGE

FEATURES

RINGSIDE

WWE Kids Magazine

WWE Kids Magazine launched in April 2008 and was a monthly magazine aimed at children aged 6-14. It is still being published in the United Kingdom though the US edition is no longer being published.[8]

References

  1. ↑ World Wrestling Entertainment to shutter WWE Magazine, along with 2 others after October issue
  2. ↑ http://www.wwe.com/inside/wwe-special-editions-return-27101183
  3. ↑ Douglas Scarpa (August 2, 2014). "WWE Magazine to Cease Production". What Culture. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  4. ↑ "| Wildcat Championship Belts". Wildcatbelts.com. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  5. ↑ WWE Confirms It's Shutting Down Magazine Division
  6. ↑ WWE Fans Receiving WWE Magazine Offers
  7. ↑ Special editions return
  8. ↑ http://www.newsstand.co.uk/106-General-Magazines/11103-Subscribe-to-WWE-KIDS-Magazine-Subscription.aspx
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