Welcome to Seven Things, a list that will run weekly and consist of very eclectic topics. These are of my opinions and doesn’t express the views of others on WrestlingOnEarth.
Late last week, details of the WWE Network started to be revealed online as we’re expected to have a late February 2014 launch. The service is to provide 24/7 live stream content on a web based service. In addition to the stream content, there will be onDemand content like a Netflix would offer. PPV’s are to be streamed on the WWE Network as well perhaps as it’s biggest asset to be offered.
I’ve seen reactions on both ends of spectrum. Some proclaim it’s a brilliant plan with the potential to be one of the most successful ideas in wrestling history. Some declare it is set to flop and will lay among the XFL and Tout tombstones of disappointment in Stamford. Contemplating myself, I’m not sure where I fall on the scale but like most things, it comes down to one factor – money.
The asking price is rumored to be $12 per month. Depending on how you view it, it’s an interesting dynamic as to determine if this is a good deal. Positively, if you purchase WWE PPV’s, you’re saving at least $45 per month. A huge pro for the most avid of WWE fans and parents who have to shell out the big bucks for their children. The nostalgia programming and the overall idea of a 24/7 wrestling will get the die hard fans/smart mark fans/internet fans/whatever you want to call them. Quite frankly, I will assume 70% of people reading this will sign up for WWE Network.
What’s the negative? Competition. You’d assume WWE wants to win over the casual fan with this but the price is not conducive to that thinking. Juggernauts like Netflix and to an extent, Hulu Plus will always take priority over wrestling for the variety, library and reputation. Amazon Prime has a rich library and offers extra incentives on your Amazon purchases. The pricing for WWE Network looks fair on the first glance but compare it to those other services I’ve mentioned:
It’s an instant turn off (pun intended) and I have no idea what WWE’s goal is overall but it seems to be a tough sell for casual wrestling fans who mostly watch bits and pieces of RAW and has the power of YouTube. As a longtime diehard wrestling fan who has a big interest in WWE’s library of things from my childhood, I hope it pans out and exists for a long time.
Something that will be fun should be the introduction of new content. I’ve decided to throw out seven ideas for new programs I would watch on the WWE Network. Most of these are based off other successful or defunct shows but let’s be honest. 90% of TV shows these days are stolen or redrawn ideas.
7. Who Wants To Be A *Millionaire? (*Million dollars substituted for free WWE merch)
The television game show “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” was a big hit when it debuted in America as the idea of trivia and money captivates most. As we mentioned before, most of the audience for the WWE Network will be diehard fans. Wrestling is one of the wonderful things that you have to be a nerd about if you are indeed a diehard fan. We all see Twitter and notice how much people care about detail and remember tidbits.
Imagine a show where a fan answers questions to win WWE prizes as the questions go up. Low rung prizes for simple trivia can be funny things like a Howard Finkel autograph or a Hacksaw Jim Duggan 2×4. Middle of the road prizes can be current merch like a John Cena t-shirt. The top prizes would be Wrestlemania trips + tickets or obscene old WWE memorabilia like a casket used in a Casket Match. Regardless of the prizes, a WWE trivia show would be simple to produce and very fun.