It's the big one, and it's the obvious one. When the WWE Network launched in the US in February this year, it changed the shape of their business. Such a network had been dreamed of for years but had never materialised in the WWE. The UK had had The Wrestling Channel on satellite TV and Japan had Samurai TV, but with the WWE acquiring historic tape libraries like never before, fans knew that this would be a 24/7 offering like never seen before. Hardcore fans in the UK found ways of circumventing the geographical blocks, only to later find that they had been rumbled and their service cut. This pointed to the Network being legitimately available in the UK imminently. The WWE Network was due to launch at 8pm on November 3rd, tying in perfectly with the UK tour starting later that same week, Here would be a chance for the Network to be pushed on all the house shows and TV tapings taking place across the next week and a half. However, just twenty minutes before the launch was due, the WWE announced that the launch had been "delayed until further notice". So not only was the rug pulled from under everyone's feet in the UK, but nobody has any idea of when it will actually be available. There are a number of rumours as to why, with most centring around the current exclusive deal that Sky has with the WWE being the stumbling block. However, Sky have denied any responsibility and have pointed the finger squarely at the WWE. This complete lack of concrete information has only served to make the UK fans feel like second class citizens in comparison to their American and Canadian counterparts, and announcements of apologies for the delay at house shows this week have been vociferously booed, as fans have voiced their displeasure at this turn of events. If the WWE are going to continue to push the Network on all of their TV programming, then they really need to get the Network launched here in the UK unless they want to risk alienating one of their most loyal and profitable audiences anywhere in the world.
Dean Ayass is a well known name to British wrestling fans. A commentator, manager, booker and ring announcer who has been involved in the business since 1993, Dean's insight into the business is second to none.
