This is a topic I’ve likely mentioned several times on this site, on social media, and to friends who may have interest in this service. Let’s face it, the WWE Network has a ton of value. The value increases almost on a daily basis, and certainly on a weekly basis with as many as seven wrestling shows being added in addition to original content. Then when you add in two years/a hundred-two hundred hours of classic content added each month, it is difficult to argue just how much there is for $9.99.
With that being said, however, arguments can be made that the service doesn’t necessarily do a great job at promoting just how big the library is. In some ways, this has improved. We have the New Classic Content logo to advertise when new shows have been added to the service, which is a plus. However after two and a half years, a Recently Added section is still missing. For a long time they barely mentioned any old school content that was added, and at the very least now we get a WWE.com release and possibly a commercial or announcement on TV, along with a focused collection. Still, that only focuses on content recently added as opposed to content that has been available.
The service could definitely do with better advertising, but one problem will always exist. Fans just don’t know where to start with such a large amount of content. And this is where the WWE Network Collections have been important. People are quick to dismiss them, especially when featuring content primarily or entirely already on the service, however they offer a chance for newer fans, more casual fans, or fans who simply don’t know where to begin to dip their toes in the WWE Network waters, so to speak. And that’s an important tool.
With so much content still to be added, plenty of reasons exist to remain a WWE Network subscriber. While the classic content will eventually diminish, I don’t suspect it will occur for years. However, the service does have an opportunity to make past shows and matches more valuable, while also promoting interactivity. The best advertisement a company can ask for is when fans of the product share and discuss it. So why not encourage just that?
I believe the future of the WWE Network will rely heavily on custom and shareable collections, or watchlists, or playlists. Regardless of what term you want to use to describe it, a playlist is obviously an extremely valuable tool. Right now, we have the WWE Network created collections and our own custom Watchlist. As of now, we can only create one Watchlist and the execution isn’t the best, but I’d suspect over time that will be worked on. And while I absolutely approve of the WWENetwork Collections and hope to see them stay permanently, this feature could really offer something special.
Just earlier today I saw someone mention they wish they had a Ric Flair collection. Plenty of times I see people say they wish they had a collection of shows from a certain period, matches from a certain feud, championship matches from a certain title reign. And the WWE has the potential to make all of these, but imagine putting it in the fans’ hands? If I wanted to make a “Best of Mantaur” collection, I could do that. And if I thought that other people might want to watch the “Best of Mantaur” collection, I could then share it on social media platforms like Twitter, reddit, Facebook, etc. This gets more eyes and interest on the service.
It is very likely that this would blow up, because why wouldn’t it? “Underrated Bret Hart Matches” or “Rarely Seen Shawn Michaels Matches” could very well likely get shared repeatedly. Or even more simple collections like “The Best of Steve Austin” or “Sting’s Best Matches”. People want to experience great wrestling. People want to experience bad wrestling. People want to share these experiences with other fans. Giving this kind of control lends to creativity and it promotes more people to want to enjoy the WWE Network together. It is a can’t-miss opportunity.
Obviously, this would be a big task. It isn’t something that could just be released tomorrow. However, the potential is there. The service would be so much more than just a video-on-demand library and channel, but it would become an interactive and social experience. Is this something you’d like to see? Do you have ideas on how you would like it implemented or on personal collections you’d be interested in either watching or creating? Let me know in the comments section below!
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