14 WWE Moments That Defined 2014

1. The Launch Of The WWE Network - February 24

For years, the idea of WWE Network was talked about by Vince McMahon and higher ups within the company but all that really materialized was the WWE 24/7 On Demand service, available through cable providers. Some fans loved it and others found it underwhelming, questioning why WWE did not make its full video library available in some sort of subscription service, not unlike Netflix. In 2014, they finally got their wish. Well, sort of. At the time of its launch on February 24, the WWE Network did not feature the company entire, expansive video library but it did tout every WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-view, episodes of ECW Hardcore TV and WWE Monday Night Raw and original programming. Over the weeks and months that followed, new, original programming was added, as were more and more episodes of old television, including WCW Monday Nitro. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weKMDv812_g The biggest seller was the fact that, instead of paying $60 for pay-per-view events, fans could subscribe to the WWE Network and watch for the low price of $9.99, something the company hammered home throughout the rest of the year. It was a hell of deal, really, but one that threatened to kill its pay-per-view business. But that was okay. After all, McMahon had said repeatedly that the pay-per-view industry was a dying one that the idea of an ala carte system of television was the future. He is likely right, but that does not mean everything has been smooth and easy with the network to this point. Subscription numbers are nowhere near where the company had hoped they would be and issues surrounding the launch left some fans disheartened. Still, the WWE Network has proven to be a worthwhile investment for the company. Should the company ever fully realize the potential of it they could, along with Netflix, be pioneers of subscription-based, streaming television.