Tag: WWE Network

WWE Network sets shutdown date as Netflix launch nears

Posted on by Josh Nason

For the majority of international viewers, WWE Network will officially be closed for business on January 1st, 2025, as WWE kicks off their multi-year deal with Netflix.

In an email sent to affected Network subscribers Friday, WWE confirmed the date along with a phrase that has some fans concerned when it comes to archive content.

As previously reported, weekly episodes of Raw, SmackDown & NXT will be available for international Netflix subscribers as well as premium live events. When it comes to the archives, the notice stated “Many of WWE’s top moments, along with historic PLEs and select programming, will be available on Netflix beginning January 1.”

With WWE owning the complete libraries of WCW and ECW in addition to Mid-South Wrestling, AWA, Smoky Mountain Wrestling, WCCW, and plenty of other defunct organizations, the exact availability of that content, in addition to older WWE content, is unknown.

When any remaining international WWE Network deals expire, those regions will also need to view WWE content on Netflix.

For the U.S. audience, Netflix will offer Raw and anticipated shoulder programming starting in January with any PLEs and archive content remaining on Peacock as their contract lasts until 2026.

WWE Network was first launched in February 2014.

Here’s the notice that was sent out:

“On January 1, 2025, WWE Network will no longer be available in your area. After January 1, Netflix will be the new exclusive home of WWE.

Netflix will bring WWE’s electrifying content all to one place, including weekly shows, Monday Night RAW, SmackDown and NXT, PLUS Premium Live Events (PLEs) such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam.

Many of WWE’s top moments, along with historic PLEs and select programming, will be available on Netflix beginning January 1.

The premiere live episode of Monday Night RAW on Netflix airing on January 6 will feature some of the biggest names in WWE such as John Cena, Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Bianca Belair, in addition to many other Superstars and guests including Travis Scott.

If you are already a Netflix subscriber, you’re all set. If you are not a Netflix subscriber, you will need to subscribe so you don’t miss a moment. We can’t wait for you to experience WWE on Netflix this January.

Sincerely,
WWE Network Support“

WWE announces ‘Braun Strowman: Waukesha Strong’ documentary

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new documentary featuring Braun Strowman is coming to Peacock/WWE Network later this week.

WWE has announced that “Braun Strowman: Waukesha Strong” will premiere at 10 a.m. Eastern time this Friday (December 15). The documentary will be available on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else.

“On Friday, a special documentary featuring Braun Strowman visiting Waukesha airs as Braun Strowman: Waukesha Strong goes on demand at 10 a.m. ET,” WWE wrote.

The documentary will focus on how Strowman (Adam Scherr) has helped victims of the November 2021 Waukesha Christmas parade attack. On SmackDown this past January, Strowman wore custom boots honoring Jackson Sparks, an eight-year-old boy who was killed in the attack. Strowman teamed up with the Green Bay Packers to create the boots and auction them off for charity.

Sparks considered Strowman his hero and always wanted to meet him.

Along with auctioning off the custom boots, Strowman met with the Sparks family in January.

The Sparks family has launched the Jackson Sparks Foundation, which grants baseball dreams to children in need. In WWE’s poster for the documentary, Strowman is standing in front of a baseball field and wearing a Jackson Sparks Foundation hat.

Strowman, who underwent neck fusion surgery in June, recently got cleared to start lifting weights. Strowman has vowed to come back not only for himself but to honor the late Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda) and continue the Wyatt Family legacy.

PROGRESS, ICW confirm end of partnership with WWE Network

Posted on by Ian Carey

Two popular independent promotions will soon no longer be featured on the WWE Network. 

Scotland’s Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW) and British promotion PROGRESS released statements on Wednesday that their contracts with the WWE Network have come to an end. It is not clear when the tape libraries will be removed from the streaming service. 

The statement from PROGRESS reads: 

PROGRESS Wrestling‘s first show of 2023 was named START SPREADING THE NEWS for a very clear reason, and they can now confirm that its very positive and long-standing partnership with WWE Network is coming to a harmonious end.

After six years and nearly 50 shows, both promotions are pursuing different digital media strategies, and fans of both WWE and PROGRESS are going to be the beneficiaries.

As one chapter closes, so they say, another one opens, and PROGRESS management can confirm that they are in discussions with a number of high profile global digital media and streaming options.

PROGRESS own an unrivalled video library containing more than a decade’s worth of the best of independent wrestling, showcasing many household names that have wrestled at PROGRESS over the course of the past 11 years.

Wrestlers such as Pete Dunne, Toni Storm, Walter (current WWE Intercontinental champion, now known as Gunther), Adam Cole, AEW World Champion MJF, Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland, Will Ospreay and Matt Riddle, to name just a few, have competed and enhanced their careers at PROGRESS Wrestling during this period.

This extensive content library has more than 650 hours, featuring 170 shows, which resulted in PROGRESS Wrestling being the biggest independent wrestling company to feature on the WWE Network.

PROGRESS would also announce plans to return to the United States for the first time in six years with a show during WrestleMania Week.

Further news announced at the eponymous chapter is that PROGRESS will be returning to the US in March at Los Angeles and linking up with WWE’s showcase WrestleMania 39.

ICW content had been available on the Network since 2020. The promotion posted a thread on Twitter today updating fans on the future of its library. 

ICW’s contract with WWE has come to an end.

We’ll be revealing the new homes of ICW programming in due course.

In the meantime, all unaired programming will air on YouTube and ICW On Demand.

A new episode will air on YouTube every day at 5pm GMT from now till Thursday 26 January. ICW On Demand subscribers already have access to 5 new episodes, with 4 more due to air by Tuesday 24 January.

Our ICW Fight Club event on Sunday 29 January will air live on Facebook and YouTube.

WWE announced on August 13, 2020 that tape libraries from ICW, PROGRESS, WXW, and EVOLVE had been added to the network. Much of the content aquired contained matches involving WWE talent then on the roster including Drew McIntyre, Matt Riddle, Keith Lee, Gunther (then WALTER), and NXT UK wrestlers Pete Dunne, Tyler Bate, and The Grizzled Young Veterans.

However, according to a report from Sean Ross Sapp, WWE is discontinuing having independent promotions on the streaming service. 

New classic content added to Peacock/WWE Network

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A classic series from WWE’s history has been added to Peacock/WWE Network for the first time.

Ten episodes of WWF Championship Wrestling were uploaded to Peacock/WWE Network on Monday as this month’s classic content drop. The episodes are from January-April 1980.

WWF Championship Wrestling was the promotion’s first syndicated television series, running from 1971 to 1986. It was replaced by WWF Superstars of Wrestling.

All 10 episodes uploaded to Peacock/WWE Network range from 45-47 minutes long. The episode summaries are listed below:

January 12, 1980

Hulk Hogan battles Angelo Gomez & Johnny Rivera in a Handicap Match.

January 19, 1980

Ken Patera faces Angelo Gomez; The Wild Samoans take on Dominic DeNucci & Johnny Rivera.

February 2, 1980

Bruno Sammartino faces Larry Zbysko; Intercontinental Champion Pat Patterson battles Jose Estrada.

February 16, 1980

Larry Zbyszko battles Mike Masters; Ken Patera vs. Steve King & Charlie Brown in a Handicap Match.

February 23, 1980

Tony Atlas battles BB Coleman; Larry Zbyszko faces Bill Berger; Ivan Putski takes on Ron Lee.

March 1, 1980

Hulk Hogan faces Manny Siaca; WWE Tag Team Champions Ivan Putski & Tito Santana are in action.

March 15, 1980

‘Pretty Boy’ Larry Sharpe takes on Steve King; Johnny Rodz battles Angelo Gomez.

March 22, 1980

Hulk Hogan battles Mike Masters; Pat Patterson & Rene Goulet are in tag team action.

March 29, 1980

Hulk Hogan faces Angelo Gomez; Tor Kamata clashes with Steve King; Charlie Brown battles Ox Baker.

April 12, 1980

Andre the Giant competes in a Handicap Match; Hulk Hogan continues to dominate.

WWE and Foxtel Group announce exclusive partnership in Australia

Posted on by Ethan Renner

WWE and Foxtel Group have announced a new partnership for Foxtel properties to become the exclusive home of WWE content in Australia. 

In a press release, WWE announced that Foxtel will be creating a 24/7 WWE channel to air all WWE premium live events, as well as weekly WWE programming beginning in December 2022. The FOX8 channel will also continue to air WWE programming. 

Foxtel’s BINGE streaming service will exclusively house the WWE Network content in Australia, with “selected content” also available on the company’s Kayo Sports streaming service. Premium live events will also air on BINGE. 

The WWE press release: 

Partnership Marks New Chapter With the Foxtel Group Becoming the Exclusive Destination for WWE® Content in Australia

BINGE to Become New Streaming Home of WWE Network in Australia

Foxtel to Launch a Dedicated 24/7 WWE Channel Including All Premium Live Events With Major Events Also Showcased on FOX8

STAMFORD, Conn.STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– The Foxtel Group and WWE® (NYSE: WWE) today announced a major new multi-year partnership that will see Foxtel Group’s portfolio of entertainment brands become the home of WWE in .

The new deal will deliver the biggest line-up of WWE’s live and on demand content to Foxtel Group’s 4.5 million subscribers, on Foxtel as well as the rapidly growing streaming services, Kayo Sports and BINGE.

Foxtel Group-WWE Partnership Key Points:

BINGE will become the new streaming home of WWE Network in from January 2023 with all WWE Premium Live Events, including Royal Rumble® and WrestleMania® 39, and entertainment content available with a BINGE subscription, starting from just per month.

WWE Network’s original programming and vast collection of archived content will be available on BINGE.

WWE will continue to be available to all Foxtel subscribers on both the FOX8 channel and on a new, dedicated 24/7 WWE channel to launch from December 2022. The Foxtel Group will broadcast on both these channels all of WWE’s Premium Live Events, previously only available through pay-per-view, at no additional charge to subscribers, plus Weekly Live Episodes of Raw®, SmackDown® and NXT®.

Selected content will continue to be available via Kayo Sports.

Foxtel Group Chief Content and Commercial Officer, Amanda Laing, said: “We are thrilled to remain the long-term partner of WWE, and be part of what will be an exciting new chapter for WWE in .

“The reach of the Foxtel Group is a game-changer for our partners such as WWE. It’s why sport and entertainment partners in and around the globe, including major studios and world-leading sports and now WWE, continue to choose the Foxtel Group to showcase their content and build their audience reach in . We are particularly pleased to offer all our Foxtel subscribers access to WWE’s Premium Live Events, that were previously only available on a pay-per-view basis for up to per event, for no extra cost.”

BINGE Executive Director, Alison Hurbert-Burns said: “For generations WWE has delighted fans across the globe and we’re thrilled this expanded partnership makes BINGE the new streaming home of WWE in Australia.”

“We can’t wait to bring WWE’s unpredictable drama, larger-than-life personalities from past and present including Roman Reigns®, Rey Mysterio®, Ronda Rousey, John Cena® and The Undertaker®, along with all the world-class WWE action to passionate Australian fans.

“It’s a great fit to welcome WWE and its year-round entertainment, including all WWE Network content and Premium Live Events, to the home of the world’s best shows on BINGE.”

WWE Chairwoman and co-CEO, Stephanie McMahon, said: “With its far-reaching and engaged audience, the Foxtel Group has been a trusted and long-standing partner of WWE for more than 20 years. We look forward to expanding our partnership with the Foxtel Group, and welcoming BINGE as the new streaming home of WWE Network in the region.

“Together we will continue to provide our unique blend of action-packed, family-friendly entertainment to fans and grow the WWE audience throughout Australia.”

Charlotte Flair to appear on WWE’s Broken Skull Sessions

Posted on by Joseph Currier

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin will interview Charlotte Flair on the next edition of Broken Skull Sessions.

In an email sent out by Peacock on Wednesday, it was announced that Charlotte will be the guest on this month’s Broken Skull Sessions episode. The episode will premiere on Peacock/WWE Network on Friday, August 19.

Charlotte hasn’t appeared on WWE programming since May’s WrestleMania Backlash pay-per-view. At that event, Charlotte lost the SmackDown Women’s Championship to Ronda Rousey in an “I Quit” match. Charlotte gave up when Rousey had her in an armbar with her arm wrapped inside of a steel chair.

WWE announced a storyline injury update after the “I Quit” match, claiming that Charlotte would be out of action indefinitely with a fracture of the radius. The angle was designed to temporarily write Charlotte off TV while she got married to Andrade El Idolo. The couple had their wedding on May 27.

Sami Zayn was the guest on last month’s Broken Skull Sessions.

Charlotte also appeared on an episode of Austin’s “Straight Up Steve Austin” series on USA Network in 2021.

WWE ‘This is Awesome’ series to premiere on Peacock this week

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new WWE-focused series is coming to Peacock this week.

In a video that was uploaded by WWE today, it was revealed that a new series called “This is Awesome” will premiere on Peacock/WWE Network this Friday (July 29). The series will be hosted by video game personality Greg Miller of Kinda Funny Games.

The series will “take a special look at the @WWE moments that made your jaw drop and left you chanting ‘This is Awesome!'”

WWE wrote:

Celebrate WWE’s awesome history with host Greg Miller and WWE Superstars as they relive the moments that made you chant, ‘This is Awesome’ in an all-new series premiering this Friday exclusively on Peacock in the U.S. and WWE Network everywhere else.

Miller has had previous involvement with WWE, including appearing on Xavier Woods’ UpUpDownDown YouTube channel and hosting the WWE Superstar Gaming Series.

The trailer for “This is Awesome” is available to watch below:

Sami Zayn to appear on WWE’s Broken Skull Sessions

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Sami Zayn is joining “Stone Cold” Steve Austin on the next episode of Broken Skull Sessions.

It was announced today that a new episode of Broken Skull Sessions with Zayn appearing as Austin’s guest will premiere this Friday (July 22). The episode will be available on Peacock/WWE Network.

Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Zayn signed a new multi-year contract with WWE. He faced “Jackass” star Johnny Knoxville at WrestleMania 38 in April.

Zayn is currently involved in a storyline on SmackDown where he’s tried to align himself with The Bloodline (Roman Reigns and The Usos), calling himself the “Honorary Uce.”

The most recent Broken Skull Sessions episode prior to this featured Austin interviewing Jeff Jarrett.

The Undertaker, Goldberg, Kane, Big Show, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Mark Henry, Jerry Lawler, Kurt Angle, Drew McIntyre, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, The Godfather, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, Jeff Hardy, Diamond Dallas Page, Becky Lynch, Ron Simmons, Lita, Bubba Ray Dudley, and Cody Rhodes have also been past Broken Skull Sessions guests.

WWE NXT’s next streaming event planned for late August

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE NXT’s next major event looks to be taking place next month.

Dave Meltzer reported in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that NXT’s next Peacock/WWE Network special is tentatively being planned for late August. Meltzer mentioned that Saturday, August 20 and Saturday, August 27 are being looked at as possible dates for the show.

“They are tentatively planning a major NXT show for late August, with 8/20 and 8/27 being looked at as possible dates for the next ‘Don’t call it Takeover’ show,” Meltzer wrote.

This would be the first NXT streaming special since June’s In Your House event. A special episode of NXT (the Great American Bash) also aired on USA Network this Tuesday and featured four title matches.

August marks one year since the last NXT TakeOver event. NXT WarGames (December 2021), NXT Stand & Deliver (April 2022), and NXT In Your House (June 2022) have taken place since the NXT 2.0 rebrand.

Jeff Jarrett to appear on WWE’s Broken Skull Sessions with Steve Austin

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A conversation between Steve Austin and Jeff Jarrett will be featured on the next episode of Broken Skull Sessions.

It was announced today that a new Broken Skull Sessions episode with Jarrett appearing as Austin’s guest will premiere on Friday, June 3. Broken Skull Sessions is available on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network everywhere else.

Austin and Jarrett have had issues in the past, with Austin refusing to work a program with Jarrett in the WWF in 1997. There was an incident when the two were working in the Memphis territory where Austin was looking at the low amount on his check and Jarrett walked up, slapped Austin on the back, and said something like, “Keep on staring at it, boy. It ain’t going to make it bigger.”

Last October, an episode of Jarrett’s “My World” podcast focused on the history between him and Austin.

Jarrett was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018.

Jarrett returned to WWE in a behind-the-scenes role in 2019 but departed the company in 2021. He made a cameo appearance on an episode of SmackDown in Nashville this January.

Cody Rhodes was the guest on May’s episode of Broken Skull Sessions. The Undertaker, Goldberg, Kane, Big Show, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Mark Henry, Jerry Lawler, Kurt Angle, Drew McIntyre, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, The Godfather, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, Jeff Hardy, Diamond Dallas Page, Becky Lynch, Ron Simmons, Lita, and Bubba Ray Dudley have also appeared on the show previously.

New WWE Broken Skull Sessions episode to premiere this week

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new episode of Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions is coming to Peacock/WWE Network this week.

The Broken Skull Sessions episode will premiere on Peacock/WWE Network this Friday (April 15). Bubba Ray Dudley will be Steve Austin’s guest on the show.

On March 2, Bubba Ray tweeted that he was interviewed by Austin for Broken Skull Sessions and the episode would be coming soon.

Last month’s Broken Skull Sessions episode featured Lita appearing as Austin’s guest. The Undertaker, Goldberg, Kane, Big Show, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Mark Henry, Jerry Lawler, Kurt Angle, Drew McIntyre, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, The Godfather, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, Jeff Hardy, Diamond Dallas Page, Becky Lynch, and Ron Simmons have also been guests on previous episodes of the show.

Austin appeared at both nights of WrestleMania 38 earlier this month, including having his first match in nearly two decades. He defeated Kevin Owens in a no holds barred match in the main event of night one of WrestleMania.

New WWE 24 episode to premiere on Peacock/WWE Network

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new WWE 24 documentary will be part of the WrestleMania week programming schedule on Peacock/WWE Network.

“WWE 24: Royal Rumble 2022” will premiere on Peacock/WWE Network this Friday. It’s the first new WWE 24 documentary since a two-part episode focusing on WrestleMania 37 aired last year.

Royal Rumble 2022 took place in St. Louis this January, with Ronda Rousey and Brock Lesnar winning the show’s Royal Rumble matches. Rousey’s Royal Rumble win was her return to WWE after having not appeared for the company since WrestleMania 35 in 2019.

Lita, Bobby Lashley, and Johnny Knoxville are featured on WWE’s graphic for the WWE 24 episode.

Here’s the full Peacock/WWE Network WrestleMania week schedule:

Monday, March 28 —

Raw Talk — 11:05 p.m. ET

Wednesday, March 30 —

  • Monday Night Raw (2/28/22)
  • WWE’s The Bump — 10 a.m. ET
  • WWE NXT (3/29/22)

Thursday, March 31 —

  • NXT UK — 3 p.m. ET
  • This Week in WWE

Friday, April 1 —

  • WWE 24: Royal Rumble 2022
  • NXT Level Up — 10 p.m. ET
  • WWE Hall of Fame 2022 — 10 p.m. ET

Saturday, April 2 —

  • WWE Main Event (3/14/22)
  • La Previa: WrestleMania Saturday
  • NXT Stand & Deliver Pre-Show — 12 p.m. ET
  • NXT Stand & Deliver — 1 p.m. ET
  • WWE’s The Bump — 4 p.m. ET
  • WrestleMania Saturday Kickoff — 6 p.m. ET
  • WrestleMania Saturday — 8 p.m. ET

Sunday, April 3 —

  • Friday Night SmackDown (4/1/22)
  • La Previa: WrestleMania Sunday
  • The Ultimate WrestleMania (a panel works together to build the ultimate WrestleMania card) — 10 a.m. ET
  • WWE’s The Bump — 4 p.m. ET
  • WrestleMania Sunday Kickoff — 6 p.m. ET
  • WrestleMania Sunday — 8 p.m. ET

Lita appearing on next episode of WWE’s Broken Skull Sessions

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE Hall of Famer Lita will be Steve Austin’s next guest on Broken Skull Sessions.

A new Broken Skull Sessions episode with Austin interviewing Lita will premiere on Peacock/WWE Network on Friday, March 25. Lita recently made her return to the ring for a stint that began with the Royal Rumble and saw her challenge for the Raw Women’s Championship at Elimination Chamber.

After appearing as an entrant in this year’s women’s Royal Rumble match, Lita started a feud with Becky Lynch. Lynch retained the Raw Women’s title against Lita at Elimination Chamber in Saudi Arabia last month.

Lita was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014.

Ron Simmons was Austin’s guest on last month’s Broken Skull Sessions episode. The Undertaker, Goldberg, Kane, Big Show, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Mark Henry, Jerry Lawler, Kurt Angle, Drew McIntyre, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, The Godfather, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, Jeff Hardy, Diamond Dallas Page, and Lynch have appeared on previous editions of the show.

Bully Ray also revealed earlier this month that he was interviewed for an upcoming Broken Skull Sessions episode.

Ron Simmons to appear on WWE’s Broken Skull Sessions

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE Hall of Famer Ron Simmons will be the next guest on Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions.

A new Broken Skull Sessions episode with Simmons as the guest will premiere on Peacock/WWE Network on Friday, February 18. That’s the day before this year’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.

The episode is premiering during Black History Month. Simmons made history in August 1992 by defeating Vader to become the first-ever Black WCW World Champion.

In 2012, Simmons was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Simmons is in the College Football Hall of Fame as well for his years playing at Florida State University.

Simmons will also be a guest on WWE’s The Bump this Wednesday morning.

The most recent Broken Skull Sessions episode prior to this premiered on the Friday before the Royal Rumble last month. It featured Becky Lynch appearing as Steve Austin’s guest.

The Undertaker, Goldberg, Kane, Big Show, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Mark Henry, Jerry Lawler, Kurt Angle, Drew McIntyre, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, The Godfather, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, Jeff Hardy, and Diamond Dallas Page have also been guests on the show previously.

WWE, Disney sign streaming deal for WWE Network in Indonesia

Posted on by Josh Nason

In an interesting deal between two household name brands, Disney and WWE have come to an agreement to stream WWE Network in Indonesia as part of the Disney+ Hotstar service.

The deal begins with this Saturday’s Royal Rumble. All WWE live events will be made available in both English and Bahasa Indonesia languages with a standard Disney+ Hotstar subscription.

Financial terms were not disclosed. This is the first such streaming agreement between Disney and WWE, but according to Deadline, “the companies are understood to have held preliminary discussions for other territories” as Disney continues to look to achieve its 2024 goal of between 300-350 million worldwide subscribers.

WWE president Nick Khan has mentioned on previous investors’ calls that they were going to look for international licensing deals for the Network, similar to what they have done in the U.S. with Peacock.

The Indonesian service launched in 2020 and according to Deadline, it accounts for more than 40 million of Disney+’s global subscribers as it is offered as a low cost add on to the Hotstar service.