This is something a little different from what I personally produce on this site. Editorials are normally not my cup of tea but I feel compelled to spread this message. Consider it a call to arms for fans of old school wrestling content. If you subscribe to the WWE Network for classic content or equally as important if you simply enjoy past content, this is for you.
The WWE Network has a limited amount of content from before the RAW and Nitro era of professional wrestling. This isn’t a surprise. The truth is, those who enjoy that content are going to be a niche market. However, it is important to distinct that a niche market doesn’t mean it isn’t a valuable one. With a subscription service like the WWE Network, they have the benefit of appealing to fans of the current product, lapsed fans, and everyone in between thanks to their wealth of content from the past and present.
Somewhere along the way though rumors began to spread about old school content simply not getting views. Jon Potter, head editor and writer here at the WWE Network Chronicle would track the Top 20 Most Viewed WWE Network videos and rarely if ever was classic content listed. Now, this isn’t a blame game issue. People weren’t watching, WWE wasn’t adequately uploading nor advertising the content. It works both ways but regardless of the reasoning, WWE didn’t seem to believe the content would get views.
However, here we are now with over ninety hours of NWA and hours of content from the likes of Smoky Mountain, Mid South, the AWA, and more. Fans who lived during this content and new fans alike are cheering at it because hey, who doesn’t like more content and who doesn’t like some quality wrestling? The important thing, however, is to keep the momentum going.
The WWE won’t keep uploading old school content if it doesn’t benefit them. As much as I and others would love to see the WWE Network be a media library of wrestling history, and it is slowly becoming that, the bottom line is what matters most. So subscribe to the WWE Network. Tweet about the new uploads. Most importantly? Watch the content. The WWE will only know it matters and it draws if you show them.
I for one want hundreds and thousands of hours of classic content coming in the future, so let’s make it happen.