Tag: WWE Network

WWE NXT Going Live On WWE Network Next Year?

There’s been talk of taking WWE NXT live on the WWE Network in 2017, according to Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Radio.

There are obviously major logistical issues that would come with going live and the costs would be significantly higher than the current tapings model. WWE would have to bring in talents each week for a one-hour live show and NXT airing live or on tape likely won’t affect the Network subscriber count.

No word yet on how serious the talks are but it’s something to keep an eye on as we move into 2017.

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE Announces New Weekly Cruiserweight Series (205 Live)

WWE has announced that a new one-hour, in-ring program called 205 Live, featuring the WWE Cruiserweight division will premiere Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 10 p.m. ET, exclusively on WWE Network.

WWE announced the following:

STAMFORD, Conn. — A one-hour, in-ring program called 205 Live, showcasing WWE’s new Cruiserweight division, will premiere Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 10 p.m. ET, exclusively on WWE Network. The live weekly show will be called by Mauro Ranallo, the voice of SmackDown LIVE, and Corey Graves, color commentator for Monday Night Raw.

Coming off the success of WWE Network’s recent Cruiserweight Classic tournament and the formation of the new Cruiserweight division, which airs exclusively on Monday Night Raw, 205 Live will feature Superstars that are 205 pounds and under, including: new WWE Cruiserweight Champion The Brian Kendrick, as well as TJ Perkins, Rich Swann, Noam Dar, HoHo Lun, Cedric Alexander, Lince Dorado, Gran Metallik, Tozawa, Jack Gallagher, Gurv Sihra and Harv Sihra.

“205 Live is a natural progression to showcase the depth of our roster,” said Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative. “With world-class talent such as Brian Kendrick, TJ Perkins, and Rich Swann, 205 Live will be a must-see program on WWE Network.”

“With the addition of 205 Live to an already robust programming schedule, WWE continues to enhance the value of WWE Network for our subscribers,” said Michelle Wilson, WWE Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer. “We take pride in listening to our fans and delivering even more live, premium content that they are asking for.”

Update On Potential Changes And Additions To WWE Network

WWE has recently been surveying fans about possible changes, and additions to the WWE Network. As we’ve previously noted, one previous survey displayed a multi-tier pricing system that would provide a subscriber with certain access, depending on which pricing tier they have chosen. That same survey also gauged interest level in “independent wrestling content, such as TNA and Ring of Honor.”

Another survey has recently been released, once again addressing the possibility of future changes and additions to the WWE Network. Some of those possibilities included superstar meet-and-greets, rewards for year-long subscriptions, and more.

Below is a list of ideas proposed in the survey:

– Receiving a “crate” of WWE merchandise for subscribing for a year’s worth of the WWE Network at once.- Receiving a free month of the WWE Network by referring it to friends and family who sign up for three months.

– Receiving discounts on the Network price if you pay for a year in advance.

– Having the ability to stream the Network on four devices at once.

– Free shipping of WWEShop orders.

– Having a “family” plan to stream it in different locations.

– The ability to download material onto devices to watch while offline.

– The ability to play WWE-themed games on the Network app.

– Closed captioning of live events in other languages.

– Be part of a test group to give feedback on new games, merchandise and Network programming.

– Be entered into raffles automatically for trips to major WWE events and similar contests.

– Subscriber exclusive meet and greets with WWE talents.

– Exclusive chats with WWE talents where you would be able to ask talents questions.

– Creating and sharing video playlists with friends and family.

– Exclusive Network content including previews and behind the scenes content.

– Exclusive second screen content during WWE programming exclusively for subscribers.

– Getting 3 months of Starz with a 3 month subscription to the WWE Network.

– Voting on the WWE Hall of Fame inductees.

– Specified video suggestions based on talent searches.

– Greater ability to bookmark and play specific matches in events, as opposed to just playing an event from the start.

Like with previous surveys, it’s unclear if WWE will actually apply any of these ideas. For now, it just appears that WWE is searching for fan feedback.

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE Draft Extended To 3 Hours

Source: WrestlingINC

Tonight’s WWE superstar draft on SmackDown is one of the biggest events of the year and it deserves some extra time. WWE has now confirmed that the first live SmackDown is going to be extended to three hours instead of the typical two.

There is a bit of a catch though and the third hour will take place on the WWE Network beginning at 10 p.m. ET.

This is not going to be a weekly occurrence and SmackDown will go back to the two-hour format after this week. That is the main reason that Monday Night Raw is getting three picks for every two that SmackDown gets, and that is due to it being a longer show.

Tonight’s extended episode will begin at 8 p.m. ET with the first two hours airing on USA Network.

– WWE is making sure that both shows are represented well at tonight’s draft and the announce team has now been revealed.

The Wrestling Observer has revealed that Mauro Ranallo will be joined by Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole, and Byron Saxton for a four-man team. Cole is going to remain exclusive for Monday Night Raw from this point forward.

WWE Network To Present WWE Draft Center Live Simultaneously With SmackDown Live’s WWE Draft

Source: WWE.com

WWE issued the following today:

As if the WWE Draft on SmackDown Live’s Tuesday night premiere on USA Network July 19 wasn’t big enough, the WWE Universe will also be able to watch a special WWE Draft Center Live second screen experience at 8/7 C — exclusively on WWE Network — as well as a SmackDown Live Pre-Show at 7/6 C across all digital platforms. Then, following all the exciting Draft action, there will be a Network exclusive SmackDown Post-Show at 10/9 C to break down all the events of the evening.

While Superstars like Seth Rollins, John Cena, Charlotte and the rest of the roster anxiously anticipate their fate with the clock ticking toward one of the most critical nights in WWE history, the action will begin with the SmackDown Live Pre-Show, featuring expert analysis on what may unfold throughout the evening.

Then, as the WWE Universe tunes in to the WWE Draft on SmackDown Live, fans will also have the opportunity to enhance their experience with the WWE Draft Center Live, a special supplemental show airing exclusively on WWE Network during the SmackDown broadcast. The revolutionary telecast will allow the WWE Universe to get inside the Draft in a way unlike any other as the lives of Superstars change forever – exclusively for WWE Network subscribers. Subscribe to WWE Network today to be part of this incredible experience!

The night will then conclude with the SmackDown Post-Show, exclusively on WWE Network, where reaction and analysis will surely be at a premium following all the memorable moments that the Draft will surely cause.

Watch it all unfold on Tuesday, July 19 beginning at 7/6 C, when SmackDown goes LIVE with the SmackDown Pre-Show, the WWE Draft Center and of course, the WWE Draft itself!

AJ Styles To Be Guest On The Stone Cold Podcast This Coming Monday After RAW

AJ Styles will be Steve Austin’s guest on the Stone Cold Podcast on the WWE Network airing live after the post-Money In the Bank RAW episode this coming Monday.

The Stone Cold Podcast returns with a brand-new episode the night after WWE Money in the Bank, and the special guest will be AJ Styles! Just 24 hours after he battles John Cena in a dream matchup, The Phenomenal One will face “Stone Cold” Steve Austin for a live, no-holds barred interview. Watch this must-see interview Monday, June 20, immediately following Raw, only on the award-winning WWE Network.From WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon to Ric Flair, The Texas Rattlesnake has interviewed sports-entertainment’s biggest names on his popular WWE Network podcast. Austin’s interview series has captured the attention of the WWE Universe with the outspoken host’s ability to elicit revealing answers from his guests. So what will the no-nonsense WWE Hall of Famer ask Styles? Find out on a live Stone Cold Podcast, Monday, June 20, only on WWE Network.

Mick foley Hosting WWE Network Podcast With Shane McMahon, Why Steve Austin Isn’t

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley will host a “tell all” WWE Network podcast with Shane McMahon on Monday, May 23rd after RAW goes off the air. The interview will air live from Baltimore, Maryland backstage.

There’s been a lot of talk over Foley hosting the podcast and not Steve Austin, who has had several “Stone Cold Podcast” specials on the WWE Network. A recent poll on future Austin guests even had Shane listed.

In regards to Austin not hosting, Foley responded to a fan on Twitter and noted that Austin had a prior obligation. He wrote:

WWE Network No Longer Allowing Shared Accounts

Fans who share their WWE Network accounts with others on multiple devices are receiving “stream limit exceeded” messages now. WWE recently updated their Terms of Service for the Network and added the following:

Access to WWE Network is subject to approval of your Payment Method information and verification of other information you submit to us or that is otherwise provided to us. Accordingly, if your payment (flat fee or monthly) cannot be processed for any reason, including because your Payment Method is no longer valid, we may terminate your access to the WWE Network immediately. Although your WWE Network subscription is accessible on a number of devices, your use is limited to one (1) WWE Network stream on one (1) device at any given time. IF YOU CIRCUMVENT OR ATTEMPT TO CIRCUMVENT ANY OF THE USE RESTRICTIONS IN THESE TERMS, YOUR SUBSCRIPTION WILL BE SUBJECT TO IMMEDIATE TERMINATION AND YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO LEGAL ACTION. SHARING OF LOGIN INFORMATION, INCLUDING PASSWORDS, IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.

The Help section explains the new error message:

If you see an error that says “STREAM LIMIT EXCEEDED” or “TOO MANY USAGE ATTEMPTS” it means your WWE Network account is in use on another device. WWE Network allows one Network stream per login.To resolve:

• Log out of all devices

• Log back in to the primary device you are trying to view on

If you have shared your account with friends or family, they may be using WWE Network while you’re trying watch some content. WWE Network allows one Network stream per login.

If you think someone is using your account without your permission:

• Log out of all devices

• Change your WWE Password

• Log back in to the primary device you are trying to view on

Seven Names Announced For WWE’s Global Cruiserweight Series

Source: WrestlingINC

During today’s media call with Triple H to promote NXT TakeOver: Dallas, he announced seven names for WWE’s upcoming Global Cruiserweight series.

Zack Sabre Jr. (PWG Champion), Rich Swann (NXT) Tommaso Ciampa (NXT, PWG), Noam Dar (Europe), Johnny Gargano (special deal with NXT), Ho Ho Lun (Japan), and Akira Tozawa (Dragon Gate) are the confirmed names thus far. There are also qualifying matches set to determine entrants.

The WWE Global Cruiserweight Series will take place this summer.