That Wrestling Podcast Episode 34

That Wrestling Podcast Episode 34 by Dave Hatton on Mixcloud

This is an episode we promised a while ago. It’s a discussion of what WWE will be doing in five years’ time.

The launch of the WWE Network is obviously going to have had its effect by then. With it not having even been launched yet it’s impossible to say how much sway it will have on how the company operates but it could potentially be huge. WWE will be giving away all monthly pay-per-views to subscribers.

That alone could affect the number and quality of pay-per-views produced. That WrestleMania, WWE’s biggest annual show which routinely attracts over a million buys worldwide, will be given away for free to subscribers will almost certainly be a big deal. Anything that affects numbers alters the way WWE operates.

Muscles never go out of fashion

We’ve focused more on creative aspects in this episode. One of the central topics is who’ll be in headline positions. CM Punk, for example, will likely be retired or wrestling part time. I think, although Michael didn’t agree, that Cena will just be going part time and either turning heel or coming to the end of a heel run. Beyond that there are no firm predictions, just a general chat about who’ll have made it to the top.

Miz is not someone who will, for the record.

I should note that this was recorded in December, before it was announced that Batista was returning. As such there is a rather odd moment (add it to the collection, yeah?) in which I predict ‘The Animal’ will have returned to the company. Michael seemed less than enthused. The announcement only made him less so.

We also talk about whether WWE will ever promote a pay-per-view from Britain. The time difference has put them off until now, but I think the Network could change that. It would allow anyone wanting to watch live to do so and WWE could show it on pay-per-view on a delay of a few hours. Another SummerSlam from Wembley? I’d be all over that.