Since 2016’s brand split, the WWE has run Raw-exclusive and SmackDown-exclusive pay-per-views along with the traditional big four shows featuring both brands.
The WWE announced yesterday that following WrestleMania 34, each pay-per-view on the schedule will feature both Raw and SmackDown superstars. This brings an end to the format the company has used for the better part of the past two years.
Of course, this move has garnered mixed reactions from the WWE universe with many praising this move, but many criticizing it at the same time. This move has been rumored recently for a number of reasons and is now official.
In addition to this change, it’s also rumored that the non-big four pay-per-views will be extended by one hour. This would greatly help out the talent that may be excluded from the new pay-per-view format, which would appease the portion of the WWE universe that is worried about that.
Only time will tell how this move will turn out, but the WWE is going all-in with it. As you might imagine, there are perceived pros and cons with this move that could greatly affect the WWE moving forward.
With that being said, let’s take a look at a few pros and cons of the WWE’s new pay-per-view format.
Photo Source: WWE.com
1. More Star-Studded Shows
The WWE has been built on star power for years, there’s no denying that. Stars are a big reason of what drives fans to watch the product and give the WWE their hard-earned money.
And while the WWE can still use this method with brand-exclusive pay-per-views, it can be used to a more extreme extent when the pay-per-views feature both Raw and SmackDown superstars. This will be the norm moving forward after WrestleMania 34 and should help out the pay-per-views.
Let’s be honest, it’s hard to sell a pay-per-view where the main event is Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton. The WWE had that problem in months past, but now that problem is seemingly gone with the change of the pay-per-view format. These superstars will still need to be used properly on the shows, but at least they will all be there.
The brand splits will still be intact, but the pay-per-views will see the best of both worlds now. It should make every pay-per-view feel bigger and being able to see all of the biggest stars in one place is good, especially for pay-per-views which are big driving forces for fans to subscribe to the WWE Network.
Everybody wants to see stars, and from now on, the stars will be out in full force at pay-per-views following WrestleMania 34.
Photo by WWE.com
2. Less Filler Pay-Per-Views
One criticism of the WWE over the years has been its high demand of pay-per-views that don’t mean much. Putting out pay-per-views isn’t a bad thing unless the events don’t have much of anything to look forward to.
And the fact is when a company has to produce pay-per-views for specific brands, odds are a few of those events will seem like filler at times. But with the new pay-per-view format following WrestleMania 34, the days of putting out filler pay-per-views could be a thing of the past.
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With the format changing to Raw and SmackDown combined pay-per-views, there should be way fewer shows with filler and lack of anticipation. Even if one specific brand doesn’t have many standout matches, the other brand can help pick up the slack, unlike recent years when the shows have been brand-exclusive.
The amount of star power that will be on the pay-per-views moving forward should help this cause out tremendously. Shows like Battleground 2017 just don’t do anything to get fans interested in the product, so this move could help right the wrongs in terms of filler pay-per-views.
The WWE has tended to have watered-down pay-per-views at times over the years, and the new format should help lessen that tendency.
Photo by WWE.com
3. Potential Profit Increase
Money is the bottom line for any great business, and the same can be emphatically said for the WWE. The company has taken many measures to make money over the years with many moves being questionable to say the least.
Over the past couple of years, the WWE’s live attendances have gone down, pay-per-views included. These shows are supposed to be big and should make fans want to pay money to watch them, but sometimes they don’t fit that billing.
But with the brand-exclusive pay-per-views coming to an end following WrestleMania 34, that could help profit increase for the WWE. Not only could it likely lead to attendance numbers going up due to seeing more stars at one place, it could lead to an increase in WWE Network subscriptions as well.
The WWE Network has taken off tremendously over the past few years, but the changing pay-per-view format could help network subscriptions increase. Paying only $9.99 per month to see every pay-per-view is a great deal, and if fans become more interested in pay-per-views because of this format change, they will likely subscribe to the WWE Network.
Money talks and the WWE could be in for better days in the money department thanks to this pay-per-view change.
Credit: WWE Universe on Twitter
1. Not Having Enough Time For Certain Superstars To Make The Card
One positive to take away from the brand split that took place in the summer of 2016 is with having brand-exclusive pay-per-views, it gave more chances for underutilized superstars to make the card. However, with the pending pay-per-view change, that could directly affect those circumstances.
When Raw has an exclusive pay-per-view or SmackDown has an exclusive pay-per-view, it gives that individual brand a chance to showcase the majority of its roster. But with brand-exclusive pay-per-views coming to an end, that threatens the course of Raw and SmackDown’s underutilized superstars.
By having both Raw and SmackDown superstars performing on one pay-per-view, mid card talent like Rusev and Aiden English, Tye Dillinger, Elias, and others could find it harder to make it on a pay-per-view card than if their specific brand occupied the entire show. Not to mention, superstars of that caliber that are over with the crowd could lose every bit of their momentum if not given a chance to shine.
Granted, there has been a rumor that with this pay-per-view change, the WWE will add an extra hour to each pay-per-view. If that happens, this con could be a non-factor. But if the pay-per-view duration stays at three hours, this con could definitely be an issue.
The WWE needs to give its superstars a chance to shine, but if this pay-per-view format stays at three hours, many up-and-coming superstars that need a break could be stuck in neutral.
Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter
2. Less Focus On Specific Feuds/Matches
Storytelling and building feuds are what the WWE has been built on forever. In some cases, the storyline surrounding a match can outweigh the actual match itself and lead to some unforgettable moments.
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And since the brand split of 2016, the WWE’s pay-per-views have had the chance to focus on each of that specific brand’s storylines no matter how big or small. However, with the pending change upcoming after WrestleMania 34, Raw and SmackDown’s storylines from top to bottom could take a hit.
Not that the WWE will ditch these storylines all together, but with both brands occupying one show, that will almost certainly take away some of them on the pay-per-view schedule. And given how some stars have risen out of nowhere to become important factors, they will need every opportunity imaginable to get over and build their characters.
But with getting rid of brand-exclusive pay-per-views, the focus could be taken away from certain feuds and/or matches that would normally get a bigger spotlight if brand-exclusive pay-per-views remained intact. The WWE can work around this issue if given enough effort, but fans are justified for thinking the worst in this situation.
Under the radar storylines and feuds could take a big hit once this new pay-per-view format kicks into high gear if the WWE isn’t careful.
Photo: WWE.com
3. Match Duration Could Take A Hit
This potential con plays into con number one as well but is still prevalent in this situation. How many all-time great WWE matches have been under 10 minutes in duration? Probably next to none.
The greatest matches in WWE history have seemingly all been lengthy bouts that go in many different directions. Even good to great matches that aren’t all-time classics normally get a lengthy amount of time. But that could potentially take a turn for the worst once the company’s new pay-per-view format gets going.
The WWE has had issues in the past with giving matches an appropriate amount of time on a pay-per-view card, and it could greatly intensify once brand-exclusive pay-per-views come to an end. When Raw and SmackDown superstars occupy the same pay-per-view, the length of the matches on that card could be greatly shrunken down in duration.
But much like the number one con on this list, if the WWE does make the pay-per-views four hours long opposed to the normal three hours, this could end up being a non-issue. But if the pay-per-views remain three hours long, the issue will be alive and not so well.
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Great matches need an appropriate time to shine, but the duration of certain matches could take a big hit in the new pay-per-view format.