First there was Friendster, then MySpace, then Facebook...Now World Wrestling Entertainment wants in on the social networking enterprise.

WWE Universe has launched an online destination for their legions of tussling minions to wax everything having to do with their weekly TV shows, pay-per-view events and brawny athletes.

Up since April 2008, over 200,000 members have signed up without so much as a dime on advertising. A clever way to keep their fans from trekking to other social site, WWE is also capitalizing on it too, with online ads and merchandise sales.

WWE Universe offers a profile page, message boards, discussion groups, live chats and blogs, but where it differs from other sites is that it offers participation by more than 80 celebrity wrestlers.

Their demographic consists of guys 18-35 years of age, but women are throwing themselves on to the mat, accounting for 40% of the membership.

WWE.com has launched an enhanced video player last month, as they found their fans want more video and less text.

Source