WWE is way and away the largest promotion in skilled wrestling, however beneath TKO’s management, they’ve made many controversial selections. Ticket costs proceed to rise. The Royal Rumble goes to be in Saudi Arabia subsequent yr. After asserting that WrestleMania 42 could be in New Orleans, it was moved to Las Vegas for the second yr in a row. Brock Lesnar shockingly returned. Yesterday, the chaos continued. First got here the report that WrestleMania 43 might be held in Saudi Arabia. On the identical day, we received to see simply how a lot it is going to price you to attend John Cena’s closing Madison Sq. Backyard look. And if that wasn’t unhealthy sufficient, TKO COO Mark Shapiro stated that he desires WWE ticket costs to rise even greater, and for cities to pay WWE simply to carry Uncooked and SmackDown. How lengthy earlier than it is all an excessive amount of and followers merely cease displaying up?
WrestleMania 43 Will Be In Saudi Arabia
Nick Khan promised that the key WWE PLEs would keep in North America.
WrestleMania 42 was moved from New Orleans to Las Vegas.
London has wished a WrestleMania for a few years.
Though WWE has expanded internationally the previous few years, their largest PLEs of the yr have remained in North America. WWE CEO Nick Khan even promised that it could keep that manner, however just some months later got here the announcement that the 2026 Royal Rumble could be held in Saudi Arabia. This was a controversial selection for what’s arguably the second-biggest present of the yr. Saudi exhibits have lengthy been disliked by followers due to the politics concerned, so now essentially the most thrilling match of the yr can have an uncomfortable really feel to it which could push some followers away.
Royal Rumble is not the one PLE being messed with. WrestleMania, the largest present of all of them, has been hooked up to its personal controversies. On a SmackDown in New Orleans a number of months in the past, The Rock got here out to announce that WrestleMania 42 could be held within the metropolis. It was a smart move, however then got here a baffling one, as WWE modified course, taking the promised present away and transferring it to Las Vegas for the second yr in a row. This selection bucked custom, angered followers, and confirmed that TKO is all about making essentially the most cash attainable.
In case you want extra proof, yesterday introduced that shocker that WrestleMania 43 goes to be held in Saudi Arabia. London has been combating to get that present for years, however it’s Saudi Arabia who will get it first? Once more, it is because TKO is simply occupied with who may give them essentially the most cash. Somewhat than being a touring occasion just like the Tremendous Bowl, you’ll be able to count on WWE’s largest exhibits to maintain transferring forwards and backwards between Las Vegas and Saudi Arabia (three PLEs might be held within the latter subsequent yr), additional alienating followers who stay elsewhere.
TKO COO Mark Shapiro Needs WWE Ticket Costs To Go Up
Wrestlepalooza ticket costs are unaffordable for most individuals.
It would price hundreds of {dollars} to see John Cena’s final Madison Sq. Backyard look.
Mark Shapiro desires cities to pay TKO simply to host Uncooked and SmackDown.
The worst sin of all that TKO may commit is how they’re treating middle-class followers and households. Ticket costs have gone manner up previously yr, making it unimaginable for most individuals to go to a easy WWE occasion. Wrestlepalooza tickets costs are astronomical, and it’ll price you $3,000 to see John Cena in his final New York Metropolis look at Madison Sq. Backyard.
What’s most irritating is that TKO just isn’t even attempting to cover how little they care. On Wednesday, TKO COO Mark Shapiro spoke on the annual Goldman Sachs Communacopia & Know-how Convention, the place he had the nerve to say:
“WWE just isn’t the place the UFC but is on ticket yield. Now we have our work to do there. We all know we’ve numerous room there as a result of Vince McMahon was primarily pricing tickets for households and wasn’t completely centered on maxing the chance there. Now that we’ve seen what we are able to do with UFC, we’re replicating that when it comes to ticket yield and holding again and advance gross sales on the subject of OnLocation on the WWE facet and it’s figuring out very well.”
As a result of that wasn’t stunning sufficient, Shapiro stored going:
“If we’ve a St. Louis going up in opposition to a Des Moines, Iowa, and also you need us again there and also you’ve damaged data and offered out each your arenas, you must pay for us to come back again or else we’ll take it to a different city. And that goes for NXT, Uncooked and SmackDown on the WWE facet.” (h/t Wrestling Observer)
WWE Will Proceed Their Technique Till Followers Cease Shopping for Tickets
Center-class individuals and households are being priced out of WWE exhibits.
American followers should pay $30 a month for WWE PLEs on ESPN.
Will WWE return to the period of tarped off arenas?
It is baffling that Mark Shapiro would say this, however he clearly did not know that his feedback, made in entrance of a bunch of tremendous wealthy individuals, have been going to be leaked to the general public. It is simply the most recent irritating selection made by TKO. Ticket costs are pushing followers’ wallets to the brink, and final month got here the information that each one future WWE PLEs in the US will now be on ESPN’s new streaming app. As an alternative of paying round $10 a month on Peacock, followers should shell out $30 a month for ESPN.
As all of this occurs, WWE is extra common than ever, with them promoting out all over the place they go. Creatively, you’ll be able to argue that WWE is struggling, however followers have but to show away. TKO continues to do no matter they need as a result of there are not any repercussions. With WWE taking away post-show press conferences, they do not must reply for it both. Nevertheless, it feels that TKO’s methods are reaching a breaking level.
How lengthy will this go on till middle-class followers and households cannot take it any longer and cease displaying up? Is TKO attempting to make WWE a promotion that is just for the wealthy? Do they not get that skilled wrestling has all the time been hottest with the widespread man? There’s going to come back a degree when followers insurgent and cease shopping for tickets, resulting in the return of tarped off arenas. Solely then will TKO change, and even then, they may simply elevate ticket costs much more to cowl for the loss.
