Exclusive: Target Date For The UK WWE Network Launch

May 21, 2014

wwe network According to WWE sources, WWE is targeting SummerSlam to be the launch of the Network in The UK.

At the start of 2014, the original timeline had the Network being available in the UK by the end of the calendar year. The technical issues have mostly been worked out and the Network is performing at a high enough level as seen with the WrestleMania stream. This coupled with the fact that WWE business recently took a sizable hit on Wall Street, WWE wants to pick up the pace on getting the Network available internationally to boost revenue.

There have been two ideas within WWE regarding the UK launch. One idea is to build it around launching on SummerSlam weekend, and the other is to have it launch a few weeks prior to SummerSlam. From the people WZ talked to, it seems launching before SummerSlam weekend is what they hope, so any issues that come up with a surge of new subscribers can be fixed before the second biggest event of the year.

More news on this topic and opinions will be discussed this weekend on Chair Shot Reality.

Follow @JustinLaBar

Justin is is the Executive Producer and Co-host of "Chair Shot Reality" which airs every weekend on WrestleZone. LaBar also hosts a weekly audio podcast called "Wrestling Reality" which is available for download everywhere. You can now read some of his WWE opinions on upgruv.com. He also is a producer and performer for IWC Wrestling in Pittsburgh which has been a sustained indy company with history dating back to 2001. He is also occasionally featured on NBC Sports and 120 Sports for WWE commentary. He's a former WWE columnist for Bleacher Report and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.