Jim Ross on Poor WWE Network Numbers and Booking Brock Lesnar

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has posted a new blog over at jrsbarbq.com. In it, he talks about the WWE Network’s slumping numbers and how he’d book current World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar through WrestleMania season.

WWE reporting anemic subscription growth for the WWE Network on Thursday:

“Disappointing number on the total number of subscriptions but with the UK coming aboard that should help their cause … This matter of the WWE Network can be analyzed in a variety of ways but the bottom line is that the WWE core product isn’t ‘hot’ and when a brand isn’t hot it’s difficult to sell spin off products of the brand such as subscribing to their digital network.”

“WWE Creative must do a better job of heating up the WWE TV shows, allow new, fresh, young talents to take on bigger roles and introduced new talents with a systematic plan to bring them in with fanfare and instant credibility. Plus selling he Network primarily because of the price of $9.99 which has essentially become a punch line in a joke and is not a selling point. It’s akin to saying that we have a lunch special for $4.99 but not saying what the special menu item is”

How WWE should utilize Brock Lesnar going forward:

“It’s going to be curious to see how WWE addresses the contractual issue with their part time, WWE World Champion Brock Lesnar as his contract is allegedly expiring shortly after WM31. There is no way that I would roll into Levis Stadium with Brock as the Champion if I did not have a new contract in place for the amazing athlete. If Lesnar isn’t signed to a new, more WWE friendly deal by early January there is no reason for him to make it out of the Royal Rumble as the WWE World Champion.” (h/t WrestlingInc.com)

Editor’s Note

At the end of the day, the only thing that will save the WWE Network is better television. If fans aren’t intrigued with what they’re seeing on “Raw” or “SmackDown” each and every week, why would they shell out ANY money to watch a (cheaper) pay-per-view? As far as Lesnar is concerned, JR is spot on. If Lesnar isn’t signed for the foreseeable future, WWE needs to take the belt off of him as soon as possible. 

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