During a time when sports are at a stoppage, the WWE finds ways to make some news. Most come out as rumors, and the latest is that the WWE is no longer negotiating with ESPN to stream pay-per-views.
If true, this isn’t a surprise as fans were not onboard with this idea, not that that ever stopped Vince McMahon or the WWE recently. The news came for myself through Instagram via @heel_vs_face.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-NSjWJJFem/?igshid=17qf0lfsztiam
What’s strange about this is they were reported to still be in talks a couple of days ago. While things can change in a hurry or they may already have been close to ending things, this is surprising given ESPN is airing previous WrestleManias starting last Sunday and continuing through this and next week.
Maybe they finally listened to the fans
Fans haven’t been quiet about their feelings on this, starting with another subscription.
Given the amount of fans that have reportedly canceled their WWE Network subscription over the last few months, trying to convince us that paying an additional subscription fee to watch what many are already paying a subscription fee to see. Does that make any sense?
This is the point of contention for many as it’s been reported that ESPN would air WWE’s big four — WrestleMania, Summer Slam, Survivor Series, and the Royal Rumble.
That would leave the remaining 8 to 10 (depending on the number of Saudi Arabia specials) on the WWE Network.
While it makes sense for the WWE to do this for an influx of cash, it would lead to many more fans unsubscribing from the network. The ones that would remain would be there for the older, classic content.
Given how we’ve been ignored on a great many things lately (Rollins, Reigns, Goldberg’s title victory, etc), this most likely wouldn’t have been a factor unless it was felt the WWE would lose money in the long term.
Maybe it was viable?
The decision could’ve been based on the ratings ESPN’s showing of WrestleMania 30 last week. It only have in the mid 800k ratings-wise, and while that isn’t anything to laugh at, it may be a lot lower than everyone expected given the lack of live sports.
Sports fans as a whole prefer classics (meaning older shows or games) instead of the current trend of classics being anything in the last 10 years.
Sure, their choices make sense for the current storylines, but to make a big impact WrestleMania 1, 3, 6, 7, 10, 18, or any number of others probably would’ve gotten fans’ attention more than something in modern memory.
A little of everything
It’s probably safest to say the deal didn’t happen because of a little of everything. Deals are rarely, if ever, simple. Both sides generally have numerous demands before the subject of money ever comes up. Given the lack of production when WrestleMania 30 was shown, ESPN may have wanted to pay less than the WWE was willing to accept, hence we revert back to the subscription issues.
There is always the possibility that McMahon simply decided against selling them at this time. He’s known to change his mind at the last minute, so maybe that’s part of it?
Whatever the reasoning is, it looks like we get to wait and see who else tries to take a bite of the apple.
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