Why WWE Is Running More Summer Non-Televised Live Events
There are non-televised WWE live events coming to the US, and there’s news as to why it’s happening.
Since TKO’s purchase of WWE became official in 2023, the company has significantly cut back on the number of house shows (aka non-televised live events) it has run.
Those live events used to be the lifeblood of the pro wrestling business, but in today’s world, with WWE having billion-dollar deals for TV shows and live events, TKO feels like live events aren’t needed as much as they once were. The days of 100+ house shows in a year in WWE are over, though when WWE tours Europe, they still tend to do some live events.
Earlier this year, the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes revealed that he spoke with management about doing more live events, as it’s good for WWE superstars to get more reps in front of live crowds.
This past week, WWE announced 10 live events in the United States on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
- Saturday, July 11: WWE Summer Tour | Las Cruces, N.M., Pan American Center
- Sunday, July 12: WWE Summer Tour | Albuquerque, N.M., The Pit
- Thursday, July 16: WWE Summer Tour | Allentown, Pa., PPL Center
- Saturday, July 25: WWE Summer Tour | Stockton, Calif., Adventist Health Arena
- Sunday, July 26: WWE Summer Tour | Bakersfield, Calif., Dignity Health Arena
- Thursday, July 30: WWE Summer Tour | Springfield, Ill., Bank of Springfield Center
- Thursday, Aug. 6: WWE Summer Tour | Fairfax, Va., EagleBank Arena
- Thursday, Aug. 13: WWE Summer Tour | Manchester, N.H., SNHU Arena
- Saturday, Aug. 29: WWE Summer Tour | Savannah, Ga., Enmarket Arena
- Sunday, Aug. 30: WWE Summer Tour | Charleston, S.C., North Charleston Coliseum
That’s in addition to a WWE live event in London, Ontario, Canada (one night before SmackDown in Toronto).
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE is hosting these live events for the talent and the fans.
“What we were told is that with more younger wrestlers on the roster than before, they felt it was good for them to get more experience away from television so this was the time to expand the schedule.
Plus, unlike a few years ago when the company wasn’t as popular, there will almost surely be a nice profit margin doing the house shows. The idea in the past was less shows created more of a demand for shows and that was one of the reasons for cutting back, and the belief that the older roster could use less dates and wear and tear and they had enough experience.
The attempt is to get a younger roster now and they could use more reps before a crowd.”
WWE Live Event Tickets Are Expected To Be More Affordable
It was also reported by Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer that ticket prices for the aforementioned non-televised live events are expected to be lower than those for a Raw or SmackDown taping.
“No surprise, but the idea is that WWE house show tickets this summer will be far more affordable.
I guess the number one thing that I heard was the idea is that these are going to be much more affordable shows. So if you’re one of those people that’s been complaining, like, ‘I’d like to take the family to Raw, but my God, these tickets.’”
Tickets for each Live Event will go on sale Wednesday, May 20, at 10 a.m. local time. Fans can purchase individual event tickets during an exclusive presale starting Tuesday, May 19, at 10 a.m. local.
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