The Wrestling Thread: WWE WrestleMania 31 [NSFW]

[KK]

I rang Sky this evening (about half hour ago) & was told the WWE Network is launching here as Sky Sports: WWE. Could be mistaken, or they've just been handed a new script.

[Slimgrady]

I rang Sky this evening (about half hour ago) & was told the WWE Network is launching here as Sky Sports: WWE. Could be mistaken, or they've just been handed a new script.

That'd be grand.It'd have to be part of the sky sports pack,they'll make plenty with all the extra advertising revenue of a new channel.PPV's still up in the air though.

[KK]

Another,

A Sky Sports customer service representative informed Prowrestling.net reader Craig Beavis that WWE Network will be launched as a Sky Sports channel. "Yes, we will launch it as a channel with Sky TV," the customer service rep wrote in a one-on-one chat. "Currently we don't have any details but it will be going to be soon... And you will will be notified by adv, email or call."

Powell's POV: We can't rule out the possibility that the customer service representative is misinformed, but I have viewed a copy of the transcript and it certainly seems like the rep was up to speed on the situation. Craig directly asked the rep if WWE Network will be a channel and not online as it is offered in the United States. "Yes, that is correct," the representative wrote.

We assumed this was a possibility given the wording that WWE has used in the past. However, WWE then announced it would launch the network via the over the top model on November 1, only to abort the launch just 20 minutes before the scheduled start time.

WWE has yet to confirm the news publicly or to Prowrestling.net, but it appears that WWE Network in the UK will use the same model that exists in Canada via Rogers Communications. It's worth noting that Canadian viewers pay $12.99 for the service and that it is only available in 20 percent of the country at this time.

http://www.prowrestling.net/article.php ... e-UK-39639

This should be interesting then...

I can't see us getting the same linear channel, but the most important thing is the on-demand content. Rogers in Canada is awful on this front.

How much will it cost, and will all WWE programming be moving over.

[KK]

How could Sky offer anything other than a linear channel?

They have various on-demand capabilities through the Sky box, and NowTV. How comprehensive it would be though is another matter.

The SkyID could possibly be made to work with an online site. There could be a Sky Sports WWE website that offers everything the WWE Network offers but without the linear channel.

This sucks for non-Sky customers though no doubt about it.

[Slimgrady]

How could Sky offer anything other than a linear channel?

They have various on-demand capabilities through the Sky box, and NowTV. How comprehensive it would be though is another matter.

The SkyID could possibly be made to work with an online site.

A linear channel and on demand content that changes regularly would be perfectly fine,people getting upset because every PPV ever won't be available straight away are just complaining for the sake of it,there's only so many hours in the day and there's other stuff to watch besides wrestling too.Plus if that's what somebody wants the US online version is easily accessible too.

[Mafro]

So it was Sky's fault it was pulled within 20 minutes of launch, and rather predictably the UK is getting a gimped version as a result.

[Slimgrady]

So it was Sky's fault it was pulled within 20 minutes of launch, and rather predictably the UK is getting a gimped version as a result.

I wouldn't say so,it had a lot to do with them because they have contracts and broadcasting rights,but it's WWE's fault that they rushed into announcing something that they legally couldn't deliver.

[CuriousOyster]

An actual channel is stupid, its the on demand stuff that's the big draw and the whole point if it.

Mind you, as people keep saying if you are that pissed off just use the US Network. Worked like a dream for me for last 6 months for £9.50-£10 a month Zero pissing about after initial set up, which was easy for a novice like me.

[KK]

Hmmm. Can't say I'm up to date with Sky products but I think you need a certain set of boxes for that right? So only some people would get it? And NowTV... I'm surprised that still exists. Extra money there too.

I'm not sure but I think you need a 2nd generation Sky+HD box for on-demand.

Sky Sports F1 is bundled in for Sky Sports subscribers or I think £5 standalone. Maybe WWE will be similar. Man Utd and Chelsea TV are £6. Liverpool for some reason is £7.

[KK]

Publicly Sky's stance, which had been 'nothing to do with us Guv', has changed on social media too:

@lewis_collins Hi Lewis, nothing has been confirmed by either Sky or WWE Network as yet. We will announce any information when it has been confirmed by both parties. Regards, Tom"

[Mafro]

They've totally edited Finn Balor's NXT debut compared to the live footage. For some daft reason they got rid of Prince Devitt appearing on the titantron and the huge crowd pop, and instead the crowd just sounds pretty dead when he comes out.

[KK]

Sky CS have changed their tune AGAIN. They're now telling people that ask: 'incorrect information regarding Sky's involvement with the new WWE channel was given out and that the channel is and will not be operated by Sky.'

How tiresome.

Regarding yesterday's note on Sky and WWE negotiations for a station, a high ranking official at BSkyB said that the story the customer service rep said is something he didn't know. The person was also negative about the idea of a WWE channel thinking it wouldn't fit. But said it is possible it could happen but he doesn't know of it. The point being, this person is going to know far more than a customer service rep. I guess we'll know in a few days because if they do have a deal in place, it would be announced no later than Monday. If not, talks are continuing.

The mismanagement of this thing has been truly farcical.

[PCCD]

We're going to get screwed, it's just a question of how badly.

[KK]

When this thing finally launches in whatever form I hope we get the story one day on just how this whole shambles went down.

[Dangerblade]

The ring apron on the current UK tour:



Apparently it's real. Incredible.

[Balloon Sod]

Sorted then

[tomvek]

Back from the Belfast house show and enjoyed it as usual. The NXT Championship match between Sami Zayn and Adrian Neville was my favourite of the night. Crowd was so into it and showed a lot of respect to both competitors

Traditional bad phone pic:



They also played the Vince apology video which was greeted with a chorus of boos

[Jam-Master Jay]

[Prototype]

[Prototype]