WWE Network News: Classic PPVs to Be Included with the Service

The other day, WWE sent out a survey to fans asking what potential programming should be included on their new all-WWE network when it launches. Wrestlescoop have reported the text included with the survey to give a better idea of what we can expect from WWE:

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“Imagine a 24-hour cable network that was run by The WWE. It featured a mix of WWE-made programs, including new shows, repeats of Raw and SmackDown from USA and Syfy and “classic” or “historical” programs featuring shows from different promotions like classic WWE footage, WCW, ECW, NWA, AWA, etc. from years past.

It would have two new weekly WWE live in-ring shows (wrestling), but not SmackDown or Raw.

It would have a daily live in-studio viewer interactive show similar to SportsCenter.

Additionally, this network would include WWE’s “classic big 4″ pay-per-view events including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Survivor Series and Royal Rumble to the lineup at no additional cost. Rather than having to pay for them, they would now be specials with the same match quality you’re used to seeing on pay-per-view for no additional cost. These 4 events would only be available on The WWE Network.

In addition to The WWE Network, you would receive approximately 30 additional channels including NFL Network, NBA TV, Biography Channel, Fox Business Network and Fuel TV.

How interested would you be in upgrading your service for an additional $7-$12 per month to a tier which would include the WWE Network described above?”

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As expected first-time Raw and SmackDown shows will stay on their current broadcasters and repeats of classic wrestling programs from WWE's vast archive will see the light of day.

It will be interesting to see what the extra two live wrestling shows are. Hopefully it will be something that allows the mid-card wrestlers to gain more exposure with it being harder to fit on Raw and SmackDown recently, in addition to Superstars being withdrawn from WWE.com.

I have no problem with the SportsCenter-style programming as long as it doesn't deal with live call-ins. We should know that is a bad idea after the fiasco that Byte This became when TNA was in its rising days.

Whilst WWE in the description believe they are doing us a favour by not charging for classic Big Four PPVs, I would have honestly expected for them to be included with the service. I believe one of the big reasons people pay for the PPVs in the first place is because they are live so you get to watch big matches as they happen. Once it's done you may buy it on DVD, but I doubt many people would pay additional money, on-top of a subscription fee, to see them again.

As for the price I can't give you a fair analysis on it since I'm British and I have to pay an annual fee to just own a TV let alone have extra services. I suppose an extra $7-12 monthly sounds fair, but I guess it depends on the buyer.

As for now, though, it is still early days. Hopefully more details will break through before its launch.