ZWrestleTalk Turns 7: NXT to Tuesdays?, AEW's PPV Model, and WWE's Longterm Strategy

Triple Z celebrates the seventh anniversary of ZWrestleTalk. He dives into three subjects about the wrestling world that he has had on his mind. 

Wow, it has been seven years. 

Seven years, writing about the world of professional wrestling. I still enjoy writing about pro wrestling. Usually I like writing about the business and how storylines could improve. I also enjoy doing monthly PPV predictions for WWE PPVs.  It's honestly weird to think about how long I've been doing this. I've covered a lot over the years. But I have to say this may be the weirdest year in wrestling yet. Let's take a dive into our topics for today. 

NXT Should Move to Tuesdays

I use to love NXT on Wednesday nights. I think it is now time for NXT to move to Tuesdays for a couple of reasons. 

• They will get better ratings on Tuesday nights. That's all that should matter. 
• They can focus on themselves again and not AEW. 
• They can build a better audience for NXT on USA, and they could use that as leverage in their next TV deal negotiations. 

​The move to Tuesdays would be a win for all sides. We could see a return to a more focused NXT. They also could rule the night. IMPACT Wrestling is on AXS TV, so they wouldn't be considered a threat. Yes, NXT moving to Tuesdays would also be good for AEW. At this rate though we just need interest in wrestling. As one of the only entertainment options that was still producing during COVID despite never stopping, wrestling didn't see a spike in popularity or ratings. 

At the end of the day, if WWE really wants to make NXT, the third brand. It will need a new night without competition so it can finally gain a size-able audience. At the end of the day NXT will make more money for WWE on Tuesday nights instead of facing off with AEW on Wednesdays (just because Vince wants to destroy its competition.)

It makes too much sense. And who cares if Being the Elite makes fun of you and says you retreated. WWE should focus on business decisions that make sense instead of trying to ruin one of its best products in order to compete. 

AEW PPV Model

Let's now discuss the other company. After a disastrous ALL OUT PPV, I think it is time to discuss AEW's PPV model. WWE (their main rival) changed the game with the WWE Network. The era of paying $50 for a wrestling show is basically over and it doesn't even matter how much you like AEW. I love the company but it is hard to justify spending $50 on their shows. To be frank, any wrestling company these days even if WWE said they were going to charge $50 for a show I think most fans would be hesitant. 

AEW is a company that hypes itself on innovation and being a revolution. Then they need to figure out a better model for them and their fans. Sooner of later this model is going to collapse. So, they simply need to find a better solution. 

I think possibly lowering the price could see more overall buys. Instead of this $50 on PPV, maybe you make it $30 on B/R Live or another service.  But at the end of the day I think they need to strike a deal with HBO Max. The streaming service is struggling to find its place within the crowded streaming market. If they were to include wrestling PPV's like AEW that could help increase subscribers. They could even charge a price within the app or they could just make it free to the subscribers. This would help AEW solidify its relationship with WarnerMedia especially after the exit of executive Kevin Reilly. This would also help WarnerMedia/HBO Max with sports-centric content for its streaming service. Plus if you're WarnerMedia having the number two wrestling promotion in the world should be a great thing. WWE makes boatloads off a loyal fanbase, if AEW can replicate that this could be lucrative property for them.  

Also, this model would be helpful considering your fanbase won't feel like they wasted money if the show ends up sucking. That's why WWE is able to get away with so many duds on PPV's these days because the WWE Network allows them too. To me it is a hard sell to have people buy PPV's during an era where there is little to no audience. AEW needs to make a shift and having more people watch your PPV's should be the goal. I also get they want to make money too but I think they could find a better revenue option in this era. 

WWE's Longterm Strategy

Let's finish this article with some quick hits about WWE's longterm strategy. 

• WWE should already be planning out its WrestleMania season. I know WWE wants to look to the NFL/NBA/NHL for guidance but those leagues may opt for less fans or even bubbles like they are doing now. 
• WWE can't effectively do a Royal Rumble without an audience. Unless they radically change the concept like they did with Money in the Bank. Broadcaster Arda Ocal even suggested WWE doing four Royal Rumble matches if they still can't perform in front of fans. Ocal even suggested a cinematic match for one of the Royal Rumble matches which could  be in the cards if the pandemic continues. 
• Speaking of Royal Rumble, you can't possibly do WrestleMania without fans again. The prestige of the event has already taken a hit due to having it at the Performance Center. Looking back on that event will be weird especially that the State of Florida should've let WWE operate in Amway Center so they could have more space to socially distance and to give WrestleMania a bigger feel.
• WWE has to continue to build SmackDown on FOX. It seems like the FOX deal hasn't been a success for FOX so far. WWE Backstage was canceled from FS1 after Renee Young made it clear she was leaving the company. It seems like WWE hasn't really found its place within the FOX world. Maybe that will change with football season on the horizon? 
• WWE has to continue to make stars. This is a given. We may never get another John Cena, Stone Cold, or The Rock but we need WWE to make stars on the level of Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Edge, Becky Lynch, The Bella Twins, and Daniel Bryan. People who can get over with a mainstream audience. Drew McIntyre seems to be one, Adam Cole and Keith Lee seem like sure bets if used correctly. NXT has a loaded women's division who could produce the next Becky Lynch/Ronda Rousey/Bella Twin type star.
• Maybe, WWE will be able to figure this out during the ThunderDome era but they should find a way to make RAW different from SmackDown, and SmackDown different from RAW. 
• Lastly, WWE needs a longterm strategy when it comes to booking. It has been clear that RAW has been autopilot for a while. Even if the episodes have been relatively good there hasn't been any urgency to make people watch the next week. That is something they can do better. All of these are connected though. 

That's the thing everything in this longterm strategy is connected to each other. If WWE books stronger they have a better shot at creating their next star. Which will help them with their TV deals. If they plan now for WrestleMania season the better it will come across when the world throws obstacles in their way. 

Well thanks for reading my seventh anniversary post for ZWrestleTalk. It's been fun and it is still fun. Be sure to check out our archives and stay tuned for our PPV predictions coming later this month. More on the way soon!

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