Prior to WrestleMania 28, Vince McMahon and WWE had high expectations for a WWE network and were hoping to have it started in time for the big pay per view. However, WWE continues to put the network on hold and according to the most recent reports, it could be on hold forever.
According to Wrestlezone.com,
“WZ has learned today that plans for the WWE Network have been put on hold indefinitely. At this point, the network hasn’t a single deal signed with cable providers, and while WWE was considering making the network a pay channel, similar to HBO, internal studies have shown less than 100,000 homes would be willing to pay a monthly fee.
Additionally, WZ has learned through sources close to the head of the HR department and the VP of programming, that all hiring for the network has been frozen. In fact, we have been told any new hires that have been made for the network are in jeopardy of being terminated.
Initially, the launch was pushed to November 12th of this year, then to February of 2013, but as of this writing the network is not going forward at all. We’ve been told WWE failed to realize what a big onset and investment the network would be, and NBC Universal was going to sell WWE part of its Universal HD channel, but WWE balked and wanted its own network.
Now, with no infrastructure set up at all, we’ve been told a network would be virtually impossible to create in 6-12 months.”
Seth’s Opinion
Unfortunately, I think WWE needs to give up on the idea. In theory, the WWE network would be great. However, I cannot imagine WWE being able to fill time 24/7 for the network. The reports suggest that not enough homes would be willing to pay the monthly fee. This does not surprise me. ESPN provides coverage over numerous sports, not just one. A WWE channel would be too limited. WWE’s YouTube channel seems to have been very successful and I think WWE should focus on continuing to build it. What do you think? Should WWE give up on the network?
Seth Guttenplan is the writer and editor of GuTTWrenchPowerBlog, a brand new WWE blog. Seth also writes for CamelClutchBlog.com and WrestleEnigma.com. When Seth is not writing about wrestling, he is a Special Education teacher in New Jersey. To read more from Seth, follow him on twitter (@sethgutt) and visit http://guttwrenchpowerblog.com
Ringsidehustle.com 
As much as I love pro wrestling, I wouldn’t be willing to pay a monthly fee to have the WWE network. It’s a very expensive hobby to have already without adding on yet another thing to pay for. WWE needs to build on what it’s already got before trying to move forward with such a massive commitment. It needs to be affordable to te masses to take off to the level that it would require. With paying for Sky sports, PPV’s, merch, live shows and magazines it’s becoming more and more difficult for a ‘regular’ fan to enjoy all it’s benefits.
LikeLike
I completely agree. There are enough ways WWE is getting my money, I don’t want more things to pay for.
LikeLike
WrestleZone updated their story and said that the WWE told them that their report was not true.
LikeLike
Seth, I agree 100%.
Also, I find it hard to get time on Tuesday (it’s on too late here to watch LIVE) to watch Raw and that’s free. I doubt I’ll pay (at this moment in time) for a WWE channel. For every historic match, moments etc.. are on YT anyway.
LikeLike
Yes thats why I think they should focus on their YouTube channel. We can all find whatever we want through YT anyway, so WWE should put more effort into making YT exclusive webisodes.
LikeLike
Exactly!
LikeLike
If there’s a sitcom called “Hug It Out”, I’d order it.
LikeLike
I must be one of very few people who disliked that segment!
LikeLike
FREAK!!!
LikeLike
WWE should give up on it. We already have WWE pretty much every day of the week. The network would just make it worse.
LikeLike
I agree with Seth, I already spend way too much money on WWE PPV’s and tickets and stuff, I cant afford to pay for a network either, don’t get me wrong, I think a WWE Network would be great, just not great to where I would pay a monthly fee for it.
LikeLike
Pretty sure, I once wrote a big article about issues the Network would face, that includes the one’s mentioned here, last year….
J- 1 WWE-0 Mwahahaha
LikeLike
What are the lottery numbers?
LikeLike
Do tell, J 😛
LikeLike