7. There's No WrestleMania Network Bump To Be Had Next Year
Thus far, WWE used WrestleMania as a key selling point for the Network. It creates a bump each year in subscribers, as witnessed this year when the subscriber rate hit a record of 1.3 million. But there are diminishing returns in this aspect. There are a limited number of fans willing to subscribe, and if they didn't subscribe for WreslteMania 31, chances are they won't subscribe for Mania 32 either. If you're a big WWE fan, you are already subscribing year round. The occasional casual fan boost only puts it up to 1.3 million as Mania 31 proved. The way WWE should look at it is the money that a PPV show would generate compared to the slighter money a boost in Network subscribers would generate. The gulf in value of WrestleMania as a PPV event and as a network event is enormous. Also, the Network is a long term investment. A one night, short term return to PPV, is an acceptable move.