Tag: WWE Network

WWE, NBCU Peacock deal reportedly for five years, $1+ billion

Posted on by Josh Nason

WWE’s coffers are reportedly getting even more full as both the Wall Street Journal and Sports Business Journal reported Monday that the deal to move WWE Network under the NBCU Peacock Premium streaming service is for five years and more than $1 billion.

WWE president Nick Khan told The Wrap that the deal wasn’t due to cost cutting, but more for exposure:

“Peacock is free in the [24 million] Comcast cable and Cox cable homes, as I’m sure you know, so…for the first time ever, WrestleMania, which is our Super Bowl, is going to be available for free to those homes. In addition to that, it cuts the cost for our consumers from $9.99 a month for WWE Network to $4.99 a month on the ad-supported tier of Peacock, where they’ll get not only WWE but EPL (English Premier League), “The Office,” Dick Wolf and so many other titles.”

Khan also said WWE is happy with their Fox deal with multiple years left, so nothing has changed there. He later told SBJ’s John Ourand they are done doing deals in the U.S. “for a while” and that this is a multi-year deal that extends past their current TV contracts with NBCU and Fox. He said they spoke to several media companies about a deal but WWE’s thirty-year relationship with NBC made a difference.

The news broke Monday morning that in the United States, WWE Network is moving to Peacock’s premium tier starting on March 18th at potentially half the cost as their ad-supported service is $4.99/month while their ad-free option is $9.99/month.

Peacock chief revenue officer Rick Cordella told The Wrap that they wanted to expanded the accessibility of WWE content and experience a “halo effect” for WWE viewers for other content:

“So our overall goal, and why I think NBCU decided to move forward with this deal, is that we believe we can expand the accessibility of this content, right? That we can — through NBCU marketing, through the outlets that we have, all the various media outlets, through the price point reduction, through the addition of content — that we can grow this audience significantly that currently watched it. And that will have downstream impact to the rest of WWE and those TV ratings, hopefully, that you see on linear television, as well as to Peacock. There is a halo effect to those users coming in for WrestleMania, but then sticking around and watching “The Office,” watching “Yellowstone,” watching some of the great content we have in the 30,000 hours that are now bundled in with their subscription price.”

Cordella also spoke to SBJ about the deal and mentioned a live WrestleMania as a cornerstone of the service, which would indicate a big promotional push following the changeover.

WWE Fastlane set for March, will be first PPV of Peacock era

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has officially confirmed an addition to its pay-per-view calendar.

As part of the announcement of Peacock becoming the exclusive home of the WWE Network in the United States starting in March, it was confirmed that Fastlane will take place on Sunday, March 21. The WWE Network is launching on Peacock on Thursday, March 18, with Fastlane being the first PPV of the Peacock era.

The WWE Network-Peacock deal includes all WWE PPVs being available on Peacock live and on demand. “WWE Network, including all PPVs, will be available on Peacock Premium for $4.99 [per month] – a $5.00/month savings-where members will enjoy access to the entire WWE and Peacock catalog, more than 47,000 hours of premium programming. For an ad-free experience, Peacock Premium Plus will be available for $9.99,” Peacock and WWE announced.

Peacock is NBCUniversal’s streaming service.

Fastlane is taking place just three weeks before WrestleMania 37. It was revealed earlier this month that WrestleMania 37 will be a two-night event, with it being held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11.

The Royal Rumble is taking place this coming Sunday (January 31). After that, Elimination Chamber will be held on Sunday, February 21.

NBCU’s Peacock to become exclusive home of WWE Network in US

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Starting in March, the WWE Network in the United States will move from being a standalone service to part of NBCUniversal’s Peacock. 

It was announced on Monday that Peacock and WWE have reached a multi-year deal that gives Peacock exclusive streaming rights to the WWE Network in the United States. Peacock launched in 2020 and is NBCUniversal’s streaming service. NBCUniversal is also one of WWE’s television partners, with Raw and NXT airing on the USA Network.

The WWE Network will launch on Peacock on Thursday, March 18. The deal includes all WWE pay-per-views being available on Peacock live and on-demand. The first PPV of the Peacock era will be Fastlane on Sunday, March 21. WrestleMania 37 will take place over two nights on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11.

“WWE Network, including all PPVs, will be available on Peacock Premium for $4.99 [per month] – a $5.00/month savings-where members will enjoy access to the entire WWE and Peacock catalog, more than 47,000 hours of premium programming. For an ad-free experience, Peacock Premium Plus will be available for $9.99,” the press release announcing the deal stated. It was noted that Peacock and WWE will share details on managing customer accounts closer to the WWE Network’s Peacock launch in March.

WWE Network programming will be available on Peacock on-demand and on a 24/7 channel. Peacock and WWE hyped that the roll-out of more than 17,000 hours of new, original, and library WWE Network content will begin on March 18, with that including:

  • All live pay-per-view events including WrestleMania and SummerSlam.
  • Original series like Steve Austin Broken Skull Sessions, Undertaker: The Last Ride, and the all-new WWE Icons.
  • In-ring shows like NXT, NXT UK, and WWE 205 Live, as well as replays of Raw and SmackDown.
  • WWE Network archives, including every WWE, WCW, and ECW pay-per-view event in history.
  • Groundbreaking documentaries, including WWE 24, WWE Untold, and WWE 365.
  • And, starting in 2022, one signature documentary annually.

“NBCUniversal has a long-standing relationship with WWE that began nearly 30 years ago with Monday Night Raw on USA. WWE has always tapped into the cultural zeitgeist with spectacular live events and larger-than-life characters, and we are thrilled to be the exclusive home for WWE Network and its millions of fans across the country,” said Rick Cordella, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer, Peacock. “WWE Network is a transformative addition to the platform and complements Peacock’s massive catalog of iconic movies and shows, as well as the best live news and sports, from NBCUniversal and beyond.” 

“We are thrilled to further the long-standing and trusted partnership WWE has with NBCUniversal,” said Nick Khan, WWE President and Chief Revenue Officer. “Peacock is an innovative platform that will enable us to showcase our most significant events, including WrestleMania, and provide the extraordinary entertainment our fans have come to expect with the combination of premium WWE content, live sports, news, films, and television programs.”

The WWE Network first launched in 2014.

Superstar Spectacle India special to air on WWE Network

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE’s Superstar Spectacle India special is officially set to air on the WWE Network.

WWE has announced that Superstar Spectacle will premiere on the WWE Network at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time next Tuesday (January 26). That’s the same time as the special will debut on Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 3, and Sony MAX in India.

January 26 is India’s Republic Day.

“WWE Superstar Spectacle, an unprecedented two-hour television special event for India featuring WWE’s Indian performers alongside Superstars from Raw, SmackDown and NXT, will premiere on the award-winning WWE Network at 9:30 a.m. ET, as well as on Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 3 and Sony MAX on India’s Republic Day, Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. IST, with commentary available in both English and Hindi,” WWE announced.

“The unique showcase of Indian-inspired action will emanate from the state-of-the-art WWE ThunderDome and incorporate stunning elements of traditional and contemporary Indian culture among epic matches featuring WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, Rey Mysterio, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Charlotte Flair, AJ Styles, Bayley, The New Day, Shinsuke Nakamura, Cesaro, SmackDown Tag Team Champions Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode, Natalya, Ricochet and many more plus an appearance by WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair.”

Superstar Spectacle will feature appearances by the following Indian talent:

  • WWE Superstar Jinder Mahal, the first WWE Champion of Indian descent.
  • The Bollywood Boyz, WWE Superstars Samir and Sunil Singh.
  • The first all-Indian tag team in WWE, Indus Sher, featuring Rinku and Saurav.
  • NXT Superstar Jeet Rama.
  • Kavita Devi, the first Indian woman to sign a WWE contract.
  • The Great Khali trainees Giant Zanjeer (7ft 2in, 340 pounds) and Dilsher Shanky (7ft, 310 pounds). 
  • Guru Raaj, the first Indian-born high-flyer in WWE.

WWE announces Pat Patterson doc, more January Network content

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

A Pat Patterson documentary is among the new content coming to the WWE Network in January. 

WWE has announced that — as part of a 30-day countdown to the Royal Rumble — “new pieces of Royal Rumble-themed content will drop every day of the month, between WWE Network and WWE’s social and digital platforms.” This year’s Royal Rumble is taking place on Sunday, January 31.

“Get ready for daily full-length matches from past Royal Rumble events, as well as all-new episodes of WWE Playlist and Top 10, plus classic highlights and lots more surprises throughout the month on WWE’s YouTube channel and social platforms,” WWE announced. “WWE Network, meanwhile, has a full slate of original programming, all culminating on Jan. 31 with the 2021 Royal Rumble and the series premiere of WWE Icons, featuring Yokozuna.”

The Patterson documentary will premiere on Sunday, January 24. It will explore his contributions to the industry both in the ring and behind the scenes.

Patterson, who created the Royal Rumble match, passed away at the age of 79 earlier this month.

An episode of Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions with Bayley as the guest, a WWE Untold episode on AJ Styles’ WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble, a WWE Chronicle episode on Bianca Belair, a roundtable on WWE’s first-ever women’s Royal Rumble match, and a WWE The Day Of episode on the 2014 Royal Rumble are also set to premiere on the WWE Network in January.

Here’s the full list of new content coming to the WWE Network as part of the countdown to the Royal Rumble:

Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions: Bayley
Sunday, Jan. 10
Former Raw, SmackDown and NXT Women’s Champion Bayley joins ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin to discuss her remarkable career, including her experiences competing at the Royal Rumble.

WWE Untold: AJ Styles’ Royal Rumble Debut
Sunday, Jan. 17
The WWE landscape was forever changed at the 2016 Royal Rumble when AJ Styles made his shocking, unannounced entrance in the event’s namesake match. The Phenomenal One and others look back on Styles’ game-changing arrival to WWE on a new episode of WWE Untold.

The Best of WWE: Attitude Era Royal Rumble Matches (available on the free version of the WWE Network)
Tuesday, Jan. 19
Matt Camp of WWE’s The Bump looks back at the Royal Rumble Matches that defined one of WWE’s most beloved eras, featuring “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, The Rock, The Undertaker, Triple H and more.

WWE Playback: 2020 Royal Rumble Matches
Friday, Jan. 22
Competitors watch, relive and react to the 2020 Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble Matches — jaw-dropping surprises, painful eliminations and all.

Pat Patterson Documentary
Sunday, Jan. 24
If it wasn’t for Pat Patterson’s creative vision, there would be no Royal Rumble Match. Explore the late WWE Hall of Famer’s immense contributions to sports-entertainment, both in the ring and behind the scenes, in this new documentary.

WWE Chronicle: Bianca Belair
Sunday, Jan. 24
WWE Network cameras bring you behind the scenes with The EST of WWE in the weeks leading to Royal Rumble 2021.

The Best of WWE: Royal Rumble Matches of the 2010s (available on the free version of the WWE Network)
Tuesday, Jan. 26
Matt Camp returns to host this compilation of the best Royal Rumble Matches of the past decade, from the first Rumble of the 2010s to last year’s 30-Superstar melee.

Roundtable: 1st Women’s Royal Rumble Match
Wednesday, Jan. 27
The glass ceiling was shattered in 2018 with the introduction of WWE’s first Women’s Royal Rumble Match. Charlotte Flair, Natalya, Nia Jax and Mickie James discuss the profound impact of that night.

WWE The Day Of: Royal Rumble 2014 (available on the free version of the WWE Network)
Friday, Jan. 29
Batista’s triumphant in-ring return at the 2014 Royal Rumble was an infamously polarizing moment in WWE history. Watch never-before-seen footage from that night as Batista is overcome by a wave of mixed emotions, from the jubilation of victory to disappointment over WWE fans’ hostile reaction.

WWE Icons: Yokozuna
Sunday, Jan. 31
WWE Network Documentaries’ new biographical series, WWE Icons, premieres with an in-depth look at two-time WWE Champion and 1993 Royal Rumble Match winner Yokozuna.

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

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

Bayley will be the next guest on Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions.

WWE Network News reported that a new Broken Skull Sessions episode with Bayley as the guest is coming to the WWE Network next month. It will premiere on the WWE Network on Sunday, January 10, 2021.

Bayley will be the first woman to appear on a Broken Skull Sessions episode. The Undertaker, Goldberg, Kane, Big Show, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Mark Henry, Jerry Lawler, Kurt Angle, and Drew McIntyre have previously been interviewed by Austin on the show. The Undertaker has appeared on two episodes.

Bayley was in action on SmackDown this past Friday, teaming with Carmella in a triple threat elimination match for the Women’s Tag Team titles. Asuka & Charlotte Flair defeated Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair and Bayley & Carmella to retain their titles. Bayley & Carmella were the first team eliminated, but they stayed at ringside and helped cost Banks & Belair the match.

Bayley lost the SmackDown Women’s Championship to Banks at Hell in a Cell this October and has recently been feuding with Belair. Bayley defeated Belair in a singles match on SmackDown two weeks ago.

Bayley held the SmackDown Women’s Championship for more than a year before losing the title to Banks.

WWE Network News also reported that a new episode of WWE The Day Of will debut on the WWE Network next Sunday (January 3, 2021). It will be focused on the day of this year’s TLC pay-per-view. That event took place on December 20.

WWE launching Superstar Gaming Series

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new gaming series is coming to the WWE Network and WWE’s social platforms.

WWE has announced that WWE Superstar Gaming Series will launch on Tuesday, December 29. It will air on the WWE Network and WWE’s social platforms at 8 p.m. Eastern time and will be hosted by Greg Miller of “Kinda Funny Games” and special guest Xavier Woods. 

“A star-studded crew will take part in the Among Us ‘Holiday Sus-Fest’ and WWE 2K Battlegrounds ‘Holiday Throwdown,'” WWE announced. “Ronda Rousey, The Miz, Liv Morgan, Adam Cole, Tyler Breeze, Shayna Baszler, and Jessamyn Duke will represent WWE with celebrities FaZe Adapt, Nick Eh 30, Lele Pons, and Wale joining the mix as well.”

WWE Superstar Gaming Series will be available on the free version of the WWE Network.

A Best of UpUpDownDown 2020 marathon will also stream on WWE’s social platforms at 3 p.m. Eastern on December 29.

At the beginning of December, WWE Superstar Gaming Series was listed among the new content coming to the WWE Network this month. Further details about the series weren’t revealed at the time.

WWE reveals premiere date for WWE Icons docuseries

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has revealed the premiere date for their WWE Icons docuseries.

The first episode of WWE Icons will premiere on the WWE Network on Sunday, January 31, 2021. The debut episode will be focused on Yokozuna.

A 12-minute first look at WWE Icons aired on the WWE Network following Sunday’s TLC pay-per-view. The docuseries will include episodes on Lex Luger, Beth Phoenix, Rob Van Dam, British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith, and Yokozuna. The first look included previews of each episode.

The first look at WWE Icons will also be made available on WWE’s YouTube channel starting at noon Eastern time this Monday.

It was announced last month that WWE Icons would be debuting in 2021, but the premiere date wasn’t revealed then. The series is being produced by WWE Documentaries.

Royal Rumble 2021 is also taking place on Sunday, January 31. In addition to being uploaded to the WWE Network on demand, the premiere episode of WWE Icons will also likely air on the WWE Network live stream after the Royal Rumble.

WWE Network notes: Broken Skull Sessions, Slammys returning, more

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has revealed the lineup of new content coming to the WWE Network this month.

On this month’s episode of Broken Skull Sessions, WWE Champion Drew McIntyre will be Steve Austin’s guest. WWE hasn’t confirmed the premiere date for the episode, but it’s listed before TLC on the list of new programming. McIntyre is defending his WWE Championship against AJ Styles at TLC on Sunday, December 20. Styles defeated Riddle and Keith Lee in a triple threat match on Raw last night to become the number one contender to McIntyre’s title.

The most recent edition of Broken Skull Sessions premiered after Survivor Series and featured an interview with The Undertaker . It was the second time Undertaker has appeared on the show.

Though further details haven’t been revealed, the 2020 Slammy Awards are listed among the new content premiering on the WWE Network this month. This will be the first time WWE has given out Slammy Awards since 2015.

A “WWE Superstar Gaming Series” is also listed as coming to the WWE Network. Here’s the full list of content that will be debuting this month:

  • Drew & A: Matthew McConaughey
  • NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020
  • WWE 24: Keith Lee
  • WWE The Day Of: Survivor Series 2020
  • WWE Untold: Goldberg’s streak
  • WWE Break It Down: Asuka
  • First Look: WWE Icons
  • Broken Skull Sessions: Drew McIntyre
  • WWE TLC 2020
  • The 2020 Slammy Awards
  • 10 Best Matches of 2020
  • WWE Superstar Gaming Series
  • New episodes of Drew & A, Uncool with Alexa Bliss, Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia, Notsam Wrestling, Swerve City Podcast, Raw Talk, and Talking Smack

WWE announces premiere date for Keith Lee WWE 24 episode

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has announced the premiere date for their upcoming WWE 24 episode on Keith Lee.

WWE 24: Keith Lee will premiere on the WWE Network on Sunday, December 6. The episode had been announced during a WWE Network commercial that aired during Survivor Series this past Sunday.

Lee tweeted about the WWE 24 episode yesterday: “Amidst all the currents of this world… I am thankful. The people close to me. The #WWEUniverse. Struggles… victories. All of it built this…so far. The people who helped create this little piece of me. I look forward to offering it to you…the #Leegion #HappyThanksgiving”

After losing the NXT Championship, Lee was called up to the Raw roster this August. He was part of Raw’s men’s team at Survivor Series, teaming with AJ Styles, Sheamus, Braun Strowman & Riddle as they defeated Team SmackDown in a clean sweep.

Lee defeated Bobby Lashley in a qualifying match on Raw this week and will now face Styles and Riddle in a triple threat number one contender’s match on this coming Monday’s Raw. The winner will challenge Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at TLC on Sunday, December 20.

December 6 is also the same day as NXT TakeOver: WarGames. That event will air on the WWE Network starting at 7 p.m. Eastern time.

The premiere date for the Lee WWE 24 episode was reported by Ringside News prior to WWE’s announcement.

The trailer for the episode available below:

New ICW Fight Club episodes coming to WWE Network

Posted on by Joseph Currier

New content from Scotland’s Insane Championship Wrestling is coming to the WWE Network.

ICW announced today that their ICW Fight Club series is returning with new episodes premiering on the WWE Network starting this weekend. Episodes will be uploaded on Saturdays.

Several past Fight Club episodes from 2018 have been uploaded to the WWE Network over the past few months, but this will be the first time new ICW content has premiered on the WWE Network.

Until now, ICW had been on hiatus from producing new content since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Past independent wrestling content from WWE-partner promotions ICW, PROGRESS Wrestling, wXw, and EVOLVE began being uploaded to the WWE Network this August. EVOLVE was purchased by WWE this July.

ICW Fight Club originally made its debut as Friday Night Fight Club in 2015.

NXT UK’s Noam Dar is the current ICW World Heavyweight Champion. He won the title this February.

ICW’s announcement video for the new Fight Club episodes coming to the WWE Network is available to watch below:

WWE Icons docuseries coming to WWE Network in 2021

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new series from WWE Documentaries is coming to the WWE Network in 2021.

After the conclusion of Sunday’s Survivor Series pay-per-view, a trailer aired for a new WWE Network series called WWE Icons. It’s a biographical docuseries focused on WWE legends.

The trailer for the series revealed that there will be WWE Icons episodes focused on Yokozuna, Lex Luger, Rob Van Dam, British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith, and Beth Phoenix.

At the end of the trailer, it was noted that the series is coming to the WWE Network in 2021. Further details on the premiere date haven’t been revealed.

In a WWE Network advertisement that aired during Survivor Series, it was announced that new episodes of WWE 24 and WWE Untold are coming the the WWE Network. Keith Lee will be the focus of the WWE 24 episode. The WWE Untold episode will be on Goldberg’s streak from WCW. When those shows will be premiering also hasn’t been revealed.

The full trailer for WWE Icons is available to watch below:

WWE reveals premiere date for Liv Morgan ‘Liv Forever’ documentary

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has revealed the premiere date and released the trailer for their upcoming Liv Morgan documentary:

“Liv Forever” will premiere on the WWE Network on Sunday, November 29. Morgan noted that she documented her life behind the scenes for 16 months.

“For 16 months, I documented my life behind the scenes as a WWE superstar,” Morgan wrote. “Not everything is what it seems… but now you can finally see it all. On November 29th, you get to learn the truth and I get to LIV FOREVER @wwenetwork”

Morgan and Ruby Riott moved from Raw to SmackDown in the WWE Draft last month. This Sunday, they’ll both be part of Team SmackDown in the five-on-five traditional Survivor Series women’s elimination match. Morgan defeated Tamina, Natalya, and Chelsea Green in a fatal four-way Survivor Series qualifying match on SmackDown last Friday, with Morgan getting the win after the planned winner Green suffered a broken wrist early in the match.

Morgan, Riott, Bianca Belair, and two partners who have yet to be announced will be facing Team Raw (Shayna Baszler, Nia Jax, Lana, Lacey Evans & Peyton Royce) at Survivor Series.

Lana episode of WWE Chronicle to premiere this month

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Lana will be the subject of the next episode of WWE Chronicle.

WWE has announced that a Chronicle episode on Lana will premiere on the WWE Network on Saturday, November 21. That’s the day before this year’s Survivor Series pay-per-view.

“Hard work in the shadows doesn’t mean you won’t be able to shine in the spotlight. So honored the next edition of #WWEChronicle will feature my journey to #SurvivorSeries. @WWENetwork,” Lana tweeted.

On WWE television, Lana has been put through a table by Nia Jax eight times over the last several weeks. Lana, Jax, Shayna Baszler, Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke will be on Team Raw for this year’s Raw vs. SmackDown Survivor Series women’s elimination match. Bianca Belair and Ruby Riott have qualified for Team SmackDown thus far.

WWE.com wrote about the Lana episode of Chronicle: “WWE Chronicle: Lana will take you behind the scenes of the vivacious Superstar’s life away from the ring, including as she spends time with her family. Expect to see a side of Lana that you’ve never seen before when the next episode of WWE Chronicle drops Saturday, Nov. 21, only on the award-winning WWE Network.”

Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia coming to WWE Network

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia is the newest addition to the WWE Network’s expanding lineup of video podcasts.

Garcia announced today that Chasing Glory is coming to the WWE Network starting next Monday (October 26). “BREAKING NEWS!! It’s w great excitement & gratitude that I announce my return HOME to the @WWE! BUT in a very diff capacity,” Garcia wrote. “I’m proud 2 announce that my show, #ChasingGlory will now appear on the WWE NETWORK!!! All begins Monday, October 26!! TY WWE Universe 4 all the [love]”

Garcia had hyped last Friday that she would be making a major announcement today. Chasing Glory has regularly featured interviews with WWE wrestlers about their careers and the struggles they’ve overcome to get to this point.

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

It was also announced last week that Notsam Wrestling with Sam Roberts and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott’s Swerve City podcast are coming to the WWE Network. Notsam Wrestling will premiere this Thursday, while the Swerve City podcast will debut this Friday. WWE Champion Drew McIntyre has been announced as the guest for the Swerve City podcast episode.