Moonsault: How the WWE Universe Becomes a Metaverse
The popularity of WWE worldwide is hard to underestimate. Wrestling, with its spectacular performances combining elements of combat, acting, and talk shows, has been captivating audiences since the late 19th century.
First, wrestling started as fairground shows. Later, it transformed into theatrical matches, and finally, in the 1980s, with the spread of cable television, it turned into a multi-component TV show. Thanks to the initiative of the world's largest wrestling promotion, WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.), it is now commonly referred to as sports entertainment.
The WWE Universe is filled with vibrant characters, spectacular shows, unexpected plot twists, internal conflicts, and millions of fans from different countries. However, like many other projects, the promotion has set out to conquer the Web3 space and launched its own NFT marketplace, Moonsault.
Official WWE NFT Marketplace - Moonsault Source: Wwemoonsault.com
Moonsault in the Digital World
Moonsault is one of the most impressive aerial attacks in wrestling. It's no wonder that the WWE NFT platform launched in 2022 bears the same name.
This marketplace is a joint project between WWE and Web3 studio Blockchain Creative Labs (BCL), owned by FOX Entertainment. Moonsault is being promoted through various media channels, including WWE, FOX, and WWE Discord. During the launch, Moonsault offered to distribute free Genesis NFTs to the first 10,000 users. Wrestling fans eagerly acquired these digital bonuses within just a few hours.
Genesis NFTs on Moonsault Source: Wwemoonsault.com
Shortly after Moonsault's opening, the first NFT collection was unveiled in celebration of the annual premium live show, WWE Hell in a Cell. The limited collection features 10,000 digital items on the Eluvio blockchain, dedicated to the event participants. They were sold in sets of three, randomly selected during the minting process. Each NFT has a unique feature - a transformation into a 10 to 20-second video clip featuring a wrestling superstar. The starting price for the Hell in a Cell set was $30.
Hell in a Cell NFT Set Source: Wwemoonsault.com
According to the creators' plans, Moonsault will regularly feature new collections dedicated to major premium WWE shows that are broadcast live. The platform will also showcase digital collectibles and video clips dedicated to legendary wrestlers and important moments in the promotion's history.
Since its launch, Moonsault has introduced NFT collections in honor of the grand annual shows like Money in the Bank, SummerSlam, Clash at the Castle, Survivor Series, and a terrifying Halloween Drop featuring the most chilling moments throughout WWE's existence. Exclusive collectible NFTs feature wrestling superstars such as The Undertaker, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Brock Lesnar, Rey Mysterio, Roman Reigns, Triple H, Finn Balor, and more.
Roman Reigns and Finn Balor in NFT collections on Moonsault Source: Wwemoonsault.com
"For this special SummerSlam NFT collection, Paul "Triple H" Levesque picked the 2018 main event, pitting Roman Reigns against Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship. In the end, it took two superman punches and a spear by The Big Dog to conquer The Beast and win the gold, ending Lesnar's impressive 504-day reign as WWE Universal Champion," states the description of the Roman Reigns NFT from the SummerSlam collection.
WWE Moonsault showcases the fearless atmosphere of wrestling in the Web3 space. Now, the promotion aims to reach not only real but metaphorical digital heights.
