6. A Shared Digital Future
When Dana White branded the WWE Network "ridiculous" he was basically admitting that he was in the same industry as Vince. He was peeved that Vince was shaking the PPV model they both worked on. White then went on the attack, stating that Vince had de-valued the WWE product by giving away everything for ten dollars a month. White sounded almost frustrated. Why did he care? Because he knows that his own business is essentially the same industry, he knows his own PPV model now looks expensive and outdated. If the WWE Network is success, White knows he will have to follow suit. For the first time in a long time, WWE are showing the UFC what will be the future. Granted UFC already offers the Fight Pass, but the Network is a wholly different concept. As a complete package it locks WWE fans into the sports entertainment world. Pay per view suddenly looks antiquated, the digital mode is the future and even the wider TV industry is taking notice. White said he wouldn't follow suit, but he also said a woman would never fight in UFC. If WWE Network is a success there'll be talks in Zuffa for sure about the future of PPV to digital.