Yet there are so many questions surrounding the UK launch; some brought on by the launches around the world earlier this year and others from the uncharacteristically quiet stance McMahon and co have taken. I mean surely WWE WANT us to subscribe to their network... don't they?
Although 99% of the time I think I'm cool I have extremely geeky tendencies. One of my most prized possessions is a Marvin the Martian action figure who sits in my spare room. I've been known to watch 'Red Dwarf' DVDs with the actors' commentary on. Predictably as soon as I was given a launch date of October 1st for WWE Network I promptly made sure I wasn't at work that day... Geeky! So naturally I've been somewhat concerned by the lack of news. So here for anyone trying to catch up are the major questions ahead of the Network's launch and my best attempts to answer them.
Q: Will the UK see the WWE Network launch on October 1st?
A: Despite the lack of any major updates it certainly seems that way. I tried to research this myself a week or two back and reached out to Triple H on Twitter (see? Geek!!) during his Q&A about NXT Takeover. Unfortunately he didn't respond but I guess his main role that day was to hype the show. A couple of days ago I tweeted in a generally frustrated manner about it all:
While WWE Network didn't respond it was favourited by a wrestling podcast called Midweek Wrestle Chat (who you can follow @MWCUniverse). MWC carried the baton for me and reached out to WWE. The next day they tweeted this response:
To corroborate this story, any UK fans asking on the WWE Network Facebook page are being told that it WILL launch on October 1st. However here is where things get even hazier...
Q: Will the Network cost £9.99?
A: Honestly? I have no idea. You'd think if they make a chant out of it it should apply to everyone. $9.99 equates to about £6.99 roughly so WWE would make good money from the UK fans with a £9.99 price tag. Plus with the £ going up in value since Scotland voted No to independence (yeah I do politics too!) it would benefit WWE even more. That being said I guess we'll see.
Q: Will the WWE Network be a part of Sky?
This is arguably the most intriguing part of the whole situation. Every country in the world bar one that has WWE Network has it via an on demand online only service similar to Netflix. Canada however have a more traditional cable deal with a set up similar to if Sky had a dedicated WWE Channel. That's great for those with Sky but what about those who don't? What about those who have Sky but not Sky Sports? As I'm sure you've guessed already I tweeted Sky about the WWE Network and got this timely response:
So the answer (unless Sky are being coy) is a firm No. The UK will get an online deal similar to the rest of eh world. In short you'll need some sort of compatible device and/or the WWE App.
Q: But Sky show ALL WWE Pay Per Views. Does that mean our network won't get these?
A: I tend to believe the UK network will get all the PPVs although that's merely speculation. I'm sure Sky won't have too big an issue with this. They'll still get Raw and Smackdown before the Network does and to be honest the Network may even bring MORE viewers to the weekly shows on Sky. If WWE can't show the PPVs because of their deal with Sky then UK fans will likely use the loophole to subscribe internationally or worse case scenario not subscribe at all. I don't think WWE will take that risk.
So as of today that's all I know. You know what I know. If it does turn up next Wednesday I'm sure I'll do nothing all day. If it doesn't? Well then that's surely going to create a whole new set of questions and I'll have to dig out those Red Dwarf DVDs.
What do you think? Tweet me @NorrisApproved3 or leave me a message below :-)
