10 Ways WrestleMania 36 Will Shape WWE’s Future

by Andy H Murray

1. The Pay-Per-View Rights Deal

WWE ESPN
WWE/ESPN

Vince McMahon himself has confirmed that WWE is looking to shop its pay-per-view rights in 2020, though the current situation made hitting his Q1 target impossible. "There's no better time to exercise the selling of our rights," McMahon said on WWE's Q4 2019 earnings call. "All the majors are really clamouring for our content. That could be a significant increase, obviously, in terms of revenue."

A huge windfall theoretically awaits, though WWE is playing a dangerous game by offering WrestleMania 36 out as a pay-per-view costing between $59.99 and $69.99 on various platforms - a move seen by the promotion as a dummy run for future content delivery.

Roughly 5,000 PPV buys are expected for a show that can be viewed via free WWE Network trial. If these projections are accurate and Vince is still looking for $150 million, his hand is weakened immeasurably.

On top of this, WWE is using WrestleMania 36 as part of the push towards any deal. This 'Mania, which may well be enjoyable, but will look more small-time than ever, going down in an empty Performance Center. It's not exactly the most convincing advertisement and could leave hopes of securing a deal anytime soon in the toilet.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.