Indie Wrestling Finally Coming To WWE Network?

WWE's quest for new Network content could take them back to the indies.

by Andy H Murray
WWE Network
WWE

Stop us if you think that you've heard this one before, but there's a chance independent wrestling promotions could finally be on their way to WWE Network.

Dave Meltzer writes in this week's edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE is reaching out to indie groups with a view to acquiring their tape libraries to air on the $9.99-a-month OTT streaming service. This has been suggested in the past, with footage from companies like ICW and PROGRESS reportedly forming part of a tiered subscription service, but never came to pass.

That WWE could revive the idea makes great sense if they are to take live pay-per-views off the Network, as Vince McMahon suggested during the much-talked-about Q4 2019/FY 2019 earnings call. The promotion will be under pressure to provide additional value to a service fans will be still be paying $9.99 for. Live PPVs are one of the Network's biggest selling points, so they'll need to find new ways to fill the void, with indie content forming part of that.

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EVOLVE seems like an easy move here, given that that promotion already operates as pseudo-developmental for WWE. ICW and PROGRESS remain under WWE's wing as well.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.