A Change is Coming in Regards to How WWE Books PPV Matches

The latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter claims that a change is coming in regard to how WWE books PPV matches. The report claims that with the current economy of the company changing, the wrestling business (especially when it comes to WWE) has now reached a place it has never been at before. 

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter writes,

“The bulk of the business now comes down to two things:

1) Ideas that will get people to subscribe to the network, whether they are appealing live wrestling shows, new programming or creative packaging of old programming.

2) The overall presentation of the network being done in a way that keeps people renewing

For the first time, it’s probably close to as important to consistently present good PPV shows. Before, the PPV was more about shooting angles and telling you stories to get you to make an individual purchase. History has always shown it’s the hype and not the presentation or match quality.

Historically, return matches off what were considered some of the greatest matches ever over the last few decades more often than not was nothing to write home about business-wise, whether you are talking pro wrestling or MMA.

Match quality has never been a serious factor either. It was star power and grudges, but with the same stars on free television weekly, exceedingly few matches are going to have any bearing at all on business since the core PPV buyers for all but the biggest shows are likely going to be long-term network subscribers.

The key to them is making their experiences with it the best possible. It’s actually good for fans, because the wrestling business has always been about the sizzle rather than the steak, and at least to some degree, the new economy changes that dynamic somewhat.”

As we previously mentioned in an exclusive report on WrestlingRumors.net, WWE Creative is already planning to book “SummerSlam” and “Night of Champions” with these factors in mind. “Night of Champions” will be the first PPV to air on the WWE Network following the initial six-month agreement subscribers signed-up for in February. To get paying customers to re-sign, and to garner new business for the network, WWE officials are going to be stacking the event with big angles and main event matches featuring talent such as Brock Lesnar and possibly Chris Jericho.

Editor’s Note:
I’m really interested to see what kind of PPVs we get moving forward. “Payback” is merely an event of re-matches that had very little creative build. The go-home “Monday Night Raw” for “Payback” drew the lowest viewership numbers of 2014, and just about every segment on it was stale IMO.

I agree with Meltzer in that the quality of the matches are about to have to matter a LOT more than they used to. Fans are going to need visually stimulating bouts to hold their attention and tempt them to keep coming back for more. I believe that WWE realizes this, and that is why they are now recruiting a number of very talented in-ring performers such as Prince Devitt, Sami Zayn, Kevin Steen, and others instead of going after the “body” types as much.