Since the initial WWE Network announcement earlier this year, it's been abundantly clear that the digital subscription service is going to be a giant part of the company from here forward. With heavily discounted pay-per-views, archived Raw, ECW, PPV, and vintage footage, the WWE Network is already an exceptional purchase for WWE fans, but it will continue to need content. While it seems as if the WWE has phased the Raw and Smackdown pre-and-post shows due to budget cuts, the Network still needs cost-effective, original content in order to drive potential subscribers to the service. Outside of classic footage, pay-per-views and documentaries, what can the WWE provide that a wrestling fan can't find on Youtube? What will help grow the subscriber number well past the 1 million in which the company said it needed domestically to break even? A perfect template for the WWE is modern day ESPN. The stories off the field can be as important as those on the field, or in the ring in this case. WWE can provide low-budget, high interest programming that keeps viewers tuned in and talking about their show, throughout the week.
Sean Ross Sapp, 28, is a convergent media major at Morehead State University, and a news/feature writer for RantSports and WhatCulture. Before taking a managerial role for the Kraken Fight Team, Sapp was a two-time submission wrestling medalist in the region. He is also a contributor to Bill Apter's 1Wrestling.com, and an editor for Cage Passion Sports. He has also published over 300 articles for Fansided. You can contact Sean Ross Sapp for news tips and radio appearances at SeanRossSapp@gmail.com
