WWE Confirm Plans For Major International Event In April 2023
WWE have plans to head overseas to a relatively unused market in the next few months.
It was originally reported that WWE would be running a show in India in January 2023, although this never ended up coming to fruition. However, Nick Khan has now confirmed that plans are afoot to make the show happen as early as April.
Speaking on the WWE Q4 2022 earnings call, Khan discussed how India had been a problematic market due to COVID, however once a merger in the region is completed then a major event is set to take place.
In terms of India, allow me to tell you, from our perspective, what’s going on there and what will go on there. We’re waiting for the Zee-Sony India merger to be approved by the regulatory authorities. The hope is in April. Keep in mind what you already know. COVID stunted our growth opportunities in India and a number of places, but in India specifically, where I would say it was almost impossible to travel in and out of. We couldn’t do local events there.
So as soon as we have a sense of when the regulatory approval happens on Zee and Sony India, look for a big live event in India. The best way to grow viewership, and I think we’re seeing it proven out with our UK shows, with the upcoming Montreal show, and in other markets, is to have live events there.
Khan continued, pointing out how growth in other markets has been helped by major live events in recent years, so the hope is a show in India will do the same.
It’s a much easier sale for our partners with their partners. It’s a much easier sale for us with potential partners, when they’ve been to the show, and they see the power of it. It’s just a smoother path. So as soon as that transaction is approved, look for us to be there in short order and to start continuing to build that empire in India.
Should the event take place, it will be the first time WWE has made the trip to India since 2017, where Jinder Mahal went up against Triple H in the main event.
With thanks to eWrestlingNews for the transcription.