The wrestling landscape has grown accustomed to the annual rhythm of 12 PPV/PLE showcases within WWE, a tradition harking back to Eric Bischoff’s era at WCW, driven by the company’s financial imperatives. While the prospect of a monthly wrestling extravaganza is undeniably thrilling, it brings with it a set of both advantages and drawbacks.
Bischoff, reflecting on this on the “Strictly Business” show, highlighted the positive impact of monthly PLEs on revenue generation. “Having those monthly PLEs they generate great revenue,” he affirmed, underlining the addictive nature of consistent cash flow and the assurance of a robust return on investment. It’s a financial boon that carries its own allure.
In the essence of the wrestling industry, where business is paramount, regular PLEs play a dual role. Bischoff points out that while they contribute to revenue creation, they also pose a challenge by necessitating the frequent scheduling of large-scale events, often resulting in truncated storylines.
“As the author pointed out, you don’t really have time to let stories sink in, or you have to tell them so quickly that the nuance, some of the subtle aspects of stories that people like to read into and speculate about, you don’t get to do that,” emphasizing the downside of a hurried storytelling approach. “Your speed reading through the book, you don’t really get to enjoy the book.”
In an intriguing departure from the norm, WWE has opted to forgo an official PLE until the WWE Royal Rumble. Bischoff sees this as a boon for the creative team, anticipating the opportunity to weave nuanced and multi-layered stories leading up to the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania. “I predict this is going to be a huge, huge improvement in the storytelling structure,” Bischoff optimistically predicted.
Coincidentally, WWE’s major rival, AEW, is embarking on a similar trajectory, adopting a monthly pay-per-view strategy, signaling a shift in the dynamics of professional wrestling events.
