WWE Rumors: Dark Matches On WWE Network?

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In what has been a common practice for WWE events, WWE typically rewards fans in attendance with a dark segment that is not aired on television and only seen by the live audience. These segments often are better than any segment or match that happened during the actual event. In a new practice, WWE aired the dark match last Monday Night–the US Championship match between Rusev and Sheamus–on the WWE Network. Will that be a regular practice? 

#FreeFreeFree. When you tweet about the WWE, WWE is trying to embed into your brain that you include the hashtag #FreeFreeFree. Of course, the reason why WWE is pushing the #FreeFreeFree line is because the WWE Network is indeed #FreeFreeFree for the month of November. Meaning, the Survivor Series pay-per view will be aired for free on the WWE Network this month.

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That would be why Vincent McMahon returned on Monday Night. McMahon does not return for any ordinary show. When McMahon returns, there usually is something brewing. Or, in this case, McMahon’s return was another stunt by WWE to once again promote a free WWE Network for the month of November.

But, that was not the only stunt pulled on Monday to promote #FreeFreeFree.

The other stunt that WWE attempted was airing the dark match on WWE Network. It was a bold move that featured an even bolder decision. Not only did WWE air Raw’s dark match–the US Championship match between Sheamus and Rusev–on the WWE Network, but, WWE actually had Rusev defeat Sheamus in that match and win the title.

Makes sense. WWE wants people to watch the WWE Network after Raw, therefore, having Sheamus lose the title to Rusev shows fans that anything could happen.

But, lets go off that point for a moment.

In the WWE Network Era, WWE has usually gone with Raw Backstage Pass to air on the network after Raw. The show provides a brief look at superstars backstage as they react to the show. In other words, there is not much to be seen.

So if WWE truly wants fans to watch the WWE Network after Raw, then they should follow the blueprint that they had on Monday night. Instead of a bland post-game show, WWE should air the dark match/segment on the WWE Network after Raw. Such a strategy would lead fans to believing they have to have the WWE Network because they do not want to miss that particular segment or match.

Part of the reason why dark matches are so successful is because fans watching from home are kept in the dark. But with WWE trying to get the most out of those fans watching from home, the time has come to bring them as well as those matches into the light.