10 Things Still Missing From WWE Network
We still can't relive CM Punk vs Jeff Hardy's awesome 2009 feud on SmackDown.
The WWE Network has completely changed the game. Launched in 2014, it has revolutionised the way in which wrestling fans consume their favourite sport, and has kept WWE on the cutting edge as far as distribution goes. The business continues to move further and further away from live television and expensive pay-per-views, and much of this is thanks to the streaming blueprint laid down by the Network.
The Network is a treasure trove for wrestling fans, and we've never had so much top notch content at our fingertips. It is comfortably the most comprehensive catalogue of wrestling footage ever assembled, and it has forever changed the way we watch wrestling. Every promotion worth their salt now has some form of video on-demand service, and while WWE weren't the first sports organisation to implement this technology, they definitely popularised it within wrestling.
Despite all these plus points, however, the Network is far from perfect. Certain technical aspects make it feel a step below more popular streaming platforms like Netflix, and there are a number of huge gaps in the footage archives. Fans definitely get their money's worth for $9.99 a month, but it feels like WWE still haven't tapped into the Network's full capabilities, and there's so much more they could add to make it a more complete product.
Here are 10 things still missing from WWE Network...
10. Independent Wrestling
Adding smaller promotions to the Network has reportedly been on WWE’s “to do” list for a while. An October 2016 customer survey hinted at a new $14.99 price tier featuring “independent wrestling content such as TNA & Ring of Honor,” but said footage is still to materialise, and the two mentioned promotions now look out of reach.
TNA were recently taken over, and no longer have a pressing need to sell their tape library. Ring of Honor, meanwhile, are bankrolled by a huge media corporation, and after turning down a reported $9 million from FloSlam (the new kids on the wrestling streaming block), they won’t come cheap.
WWE seemed to have a productive working relationship with Evolve last year, but said company has since signed a deal with FloSlam. PROGRESS, OTT, and ICW were mentioned as potential partners last week, and promoters from all three companies were present at the UK Title Tournament: an announcement may be forthcoming, but we’ve heard nothing yet.
Most major indies now offer their own streaming services, but a spot on the WWE Network would open them up to whole new levels of exposure. It seems only a matter of time before these promotions start appearing on the Network, but WWE must act quickly before FloSlam snap everyone up.