Pages

Saturday, February 17, 2018

WWE changes its PPV format

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

It's been a rumor for a week or so, but WWE confirmed the news Saturday. After WrestleMania, the company is going back to non-branded pay-per-view events. So that means a reduction in PPV events each year, which in my 1-2-3 cents is a good thing. Not counting the events planned for this month, there are nine more PPVs coming to WWE Network this year.

I can see pros and cons on this move. I liked the idea of dueling brands because Superstars were getting overexposed being on Raw and SmackDown Live each week. Then factor in the pay-per-views and storylines and angles got old fast. Now there's at least a break to just once a week. I know the company will keep the TV shows separate, or so it appears. But unless they add time to the pay-per-views, I worry some Superstars will once again become lost in the shuffle. I don't know what the pay scale is for Superstars in terms of these network events but I'd hate to think anyone is losing out.

I also like the idea of only having all brands on the same event for the big four shows; WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam and Survivor Series. I hope they keep the storylines separate until Rumble time and maybe Survivor Series. WWE Creative needs to come up with a purpose to have Raw vs. SmackDown Live if they're headed that way again in November.

Longer shows are tough on the live crowd as well as those of us watching at home. Three hours is already too long for Raw. Six hours for WrestleMania is ridiculous. Other shows are getting longer too. My friends over at Pro Wrestling Unscripted suggested featuring some of the mid-card feuds as the main event matches on Raw or SmackDown Live and saving the main eventers for the pay per views. That move could be a good one to keep lower tiered Superstars on TV. 

I'm not complaining about the situation, I just want to see how it all plays out. Will the company take turns alternating the main events on these PPVs? The move could also give us a break from some Superstars appearing each month too. Like everything in pro wrestling, we have to be patient and see how things play out.

No comments:

Post a Comment