10 Things We Learned From WWE In 2016
9. The Company Thinks More Is More
In 2014, WWE introduced the WWE Network, and from there out, their business model changed completely. They no longer had to rely on PPV buys to bolster their bottom line, and even TV ratings were only relevant for the contracts they could garner WWE. All that really mattered were how many subscriptions they could get for the streaming service.
Those numbers gradually ticked up, but this year, WWE decided that the best way to sweeten the pot would be to offer as much new content on the Network as possible. They introduced the Cruiserweight Classic (and then 205 Live), added several new Pay-Per-View events to the calendar after the brand split, and decided that some of the major PPV shows could run extra long.
That, combined with the fact that Smackdown is actually important for the first time in half a decade, has meant that many wrestling fans are finding themselves inundated with WWE content. It's hard to not feel a little sick of it, especially during a six-and-a-half hour WrestleMania. Still, WWE seems to think that the more they offer, the sweeter the deal is, so get used to it.