WWE Network Legacy

 February 24th, 2014 WWE released their over the top streaming service the WWE network. At that time the only real streaming players were Netflix and Hulu, the technology was still being adopted but many saw it was the future.

It was a wrestling fans dream upon first glance. The library of WWE, WCW, and ECW along with independent promotions 

The WWE network was a stand alone streaming service until 2021. When WWE and NBCUNIVERSAL struck a deal to fold the network into Peacock until 2026.

10. Originally was a cable channel

Before deciding to pivot to streaming, The WWE network was slated to debut in 2012 during Wrestlemania weekend. They hyped the network from the end of 2011 towards late February or so of 2012 and then crickets. Either the company saw streaming was the way to go, or they could not get cable companies to agree to carry the channel.

Either way it was for the best, based on where technology and viewing habits were going. And I'm just not sure an actual channel would have been sustainable after a a year or so.

9. Was $9.99 Forever

From its debut in 2014 until they transitioned the service to Peacock in 2021, the price point always remained at $9.99. Which honestly the way streamers raise the subscription cost which seems like every other month. I can appreciate the price remaining flat for 6 1/2 years.

What was funny though was maybe for the first year or two. From commercials to promos WWE found a way to mention it only cost $9.99 a month to subscribe it. Eventually after subscriber count didn't seem to be rising, they mentioned it less and less.

8. Was a bit of a letdown on Day 1

Truth be told on launch date the network left a lot to be desired. Which is to be expected when a new product is released, but it seemed like things were just thrown together. The layout was a bit wonky to navigate to find what you wanted to watch.

Then that was a whole other ordeal. Most fans of a certain generation wanted the WWE network to rewatch the Monday Night Wars and Attitude era. Many episodes of Nitro, Raw and Smackdown from those times were not available. The biggest program that was available was Saturday Night Main Event. Slowly but surely they released the favorites but it took a while to get there.

7. Had Quite A Bit Of Variety

Kudos to WWE for incorporating variety into their programming and not just filling everything with wrestling events. Upon launch there was Legends House which was filmed two years prior and featured WWE legends living together in a home similiar to The Real World or Surreal Life. Table for 3 which featured conversations between personalities over a meal.

There was the cartoon Camp WWE, the pranked show Swerved. Holy Foley starring Mick Foley and his daughter Noelle. Mick even had a stand up special debut on the network. They made strides to be offer something different outside of the squared circle.

6. Has ALOT Of Edits

This is has occurred more since switching to Peacock and falling under NBCUNIVERSAL standards and practices. Even before that a lot of time was spent editing segments that would be deemed highly offensive. 

They also spent time editing music, particularly from WCW who copied a lot of popular songs. And ECW who did not give a damn about using real songs.

5. Could Have Been More

There are thousands and thousands of pro wrestling programs available on the network. From the WWE library and companies they bought out libraries for such as WCW, ECW, WCCW, AWA and newer promotions like Evolve and WXW.

For all that programming it still seems like there could have been more. I wondered why WWE studio films never made an appearance on the network. While programs like Shotgun Saturday Night, WCW Pro, and Livewire are still missing. I even think they could have gone a step further and replayed old commercials of WWF/E and WCW toys, video games etc. Now I don't know who owns the rights to commercials but worth a shot.

4. A haven for fans of  documentaries

If you love documentaries and pro wrestling the WWE network is the perfect place for you. The 24 series which often features behind the scenes of a particular wrestler or event is a must watch. I throughly enjoy the ones on Wrestlemania. There's the Icons series and Rivals a retrospective show on previous big feuds in the business.

They have also produced good documentaries on Ric Flair, The Undertaker, Kurt Angle, Cody Rhodes, Nigel McGuiness, and Liv Morgan just to name a few. All of these and I do mean ALL are can't miss documentaries. I'm hoping a documentary on CM Punks return at Survivor Series last year is upon us.

3. Helped WWE Produce More Overseas Events

Before the WWE debut any WWE produced PPV's held overseas were never seen live for U.S. audiences. For events like Capital Carnage and Rebellion they were held exclusively overseas and then released on home media in the U.S.

The network changed all that beginning with 2015's Beast In The East live from Tokyo. With the advancement of technology they could broadcast overseas and everyone could watch it live in their respective time zones. Elimination Chamber in Australia was just yesterday and they will have a PLE in Germany this summer. Which the WWE network and how streaming works has made possible 

2. Bought The Golden Age of NXT

Many people probably don't remember but NXT held the first live wrestling event on the WWE network. That's right NXT Arrival aired February 27th with Adrian Neville (Pac in AEW) and Bo Dallas main eventing the show. That show helped kickstart the Golden Age of NXT also known as the Black and Gold era.

While NXT started in 2012 it wasn't until the network came along and the program could be shown, that it took off in popularity. I say from 2014 til 2021 when the Black and Gold era ended, NXT was on top of the world. The Takeover events were killing it every show, indy darlings and new prospects were putting on consistently good shows every week. It was everything a fan could ask for, helped even more by being on the network.

1. Changed The PPV model game

Starting with Wrestlemania XXX that year, WWE changed the game of how pay-per-view events would be consumed. They started including they're ppv's into the subscription of the WWE network at no extra cost. So for $9.99 a month you are getting PPV's bundled in as opposed to paying $50 for each ppv every month. A win-win for consumers if you ask me.

Boxing and other wrestling promotions haven't taken that approach. However for fans of the WWE they have grown accustomed to that model and likely would raise hell if it changed. The WWE also changed the terminology from pay-per-view to premium live events (PLE). Which took some time but has caught on in the ensuing years. This maybe WWE's greatest achievement with the network.