Update On UK Indies Potentially Coming To WWE Network
Fresh details emerge from WWE's Chief Finance Officer.
Rumours of the WWE Network adding independent wrestling content have persisted since October 2016, when WWE circulated a survey citing the inclusion of indie shows at a new $14.99 pricing tier.
News has been thin on the ground since then, but WWE Chief Financial Officer George Barrios spoke at a technology conference in New York City last month, stating that the company will be working with the UK's Insane Championship Wrestling and PROGRESS going forward.
Last week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter features a direct quote from Barrios, who stated the following:-
“Yeah, I think there’s something there. It’s always priority and what once comes first. We recently announced a deal with ICW and Progress, which are wrestling promotions in the UK. So we’re thinking about the best way to utilize that content. As you know, we’ve been fairly active over the years in purchasing wrestling libraries, video libraries, a lot of which now you can see on the network. We think there’s a home for that, and it just a matter of priority."
WWE obviously don't want to give too much away until everything is finalised, but this is the company's most definitive statement yet. WWE have forged working relationships with both PROGRESS and ICW recently, and it was reported earlier this year that they were close to bringing both promotions to the Network, which could then open the door for American companies to sign similar deals.
The move is contingent on Vince McMahon's "okay." The WWE Chairman has reportedly changed his mind several times, though the deals on remained on the table, and Barrios' quote suggests the company already own some form of rights to PROGRESS and ICW footage.