John Cena Was Featured on “Main Event” to Help Draw New Subscribers to the WWE Network

A new report from PWInsider.com claims that former WWE Champion John Cena was kept off of television during the May 5 edition of “Monday Night Raw,” and featured on the May 6 “Main Event” to help draw new subscribers to the WWE Network. WWE officials believe that if they put their biggest superstar on a program that can only be accessed through a subscription to the WWE Network, that more people will sign-up so that they can watch the show.

WWE “Main Event” airs live on Tuesdays at 8 p.m.ET via the WWE Network. Since “Main Event’s” contract with ION Television/NBCUniversal was not renewed due to the launch of the WWE Network, “Main Event” has been an exclusive program to the WWE Network since March. With the company yearning for more subscribers, booking for “Main Event” is becoming more intentional, which is why Cena was kept off of “Monday Night Raw” in order for his first appearance since his loss to Bray Wyatt at “Extreme Rules” to be on the WWE Network.

Time will tell if booking appearances like this will gain WWE more Network users, but tactics like these are expected to continue as the company seeks more subscribers.

Editor’s Note:

I’d be really interested to see if people signed up for the Network this week just to see Cena’s initial reaction to what happened at “Extreme Rules.” Patiently awaiting those stats.