Sky Deny Anything To Do With WWE Network UK Problems

Sky have denied anything to do with Monday's WWE Network problems in the UK. The WWE's streaming service had been due to go live at 8pm, only for WWE to suddenly announce it was indefinitely delayed. The cruel last minute nature of this delay has been massively disappointing to loyal UK fans who were eagerly anticipating the launch. Indeed, WWE's UK social media had been building fan hopes up all weekend, only to cancel the launch in the hour before 8pm. Blame had been put on Sky. Dave Meltzer at Wrestling Observer Radio had reported that it was Sky who got in the way. The broadcaster was said to be unhappy over WWE giving Survivor Series away free on the Network, when Sky Box Office would be trading the same show at £14.95. However, a Sky Community manager has now denied any Sky involvement. Stacey is the Community Manager of Sky.Com's forums and stated "Hi all, Please be advised that the the delay on the WWE Network is in no way related to Sky. As previously advised, this is an independent service which Sky will not be providing." Furthermore, Sky's social media team has acted to respond to disgruntled fans.

SkyHelpTeam @SkyHelpTeam @jordanwwe19 Good afternoon, Jordan. Thanks for the tweet :) We understand that the WWE Network release date has been delayed and this isn't a decision that we have made and instead it was made by the WWE. You can get some confirmation on this here on our Community Forum. I appreciate that the delay is frustrating and would suggest directing any questions about it to the WWE themselves. If there is anything else I can do for you today, please let me know.

"We are in no way responsible for the WWE Network's delay" is Sky's official stance, and so it seems that this UK mess is all down to the WWE. There's an intriguing rumour that WWE had hoped Sky would come in at the last minute to offer a TV channel. WWE wanted something like the Sky F1 channel and thought Sky would offer it when they realised WWE Network was serious about going it alone. When that didn't happen, WWE panicked and pulled the plug. At this stage, all we know for certain is what Sky are saying. The WWE remains silent. UK fans are rightly outraged and already arranging protests for next week's UK shows.