May 24, 2025
WWE Ticket Price Backlash: Fans Draw the Line, Cancelled Shows & The Future of Wrestling
Before My Head Explodes with Vince RussoAbout this episode
Full Podcast Summary / Notes (Timestamps): 00:00 – 01:15 Introduction: Fastest growing pro wrestling show, announcement about Coach and Bro launching on the Stadium Network, reaching over 110 million homes. 01:15 – 03:19 Audience engagement: Super stickers, live chat, and how fans can get involved in the discussion. Growth of the show: YouTube numbers, national TV presence. 03:19 – 05:52 Vince Russo on the state of pro wrestling vs. other sports. Honest take: Russo’s lack of passion for modern wrestling business compared to his love for baseball. WWE’s current business decisions and their impact on fans. 05:52 – 07:07 WWE’s gamble: Four shows in four days at the same Florida arena. Discussion about ticket price hikes and impact on families. 07:07 – 09:05 The fallout: NXT event canceled due to poor ticket sales (only 1,600 sold). Broader implications of overpricing; encouragement for fans standing up to high prices. 09:05 – 13:37 Digging deeper: WWE’s costs, their business model, and reliance on wrestling as a piggy bank to pay off debts from other acquisitions. TV deals and why cancellations matter more than before. Insight into arena sizes, ticket sales, pricing (> $100 for NXT), and pipeline challenges. 13:37 – 15:47 Vince’s view as a consumer, not just a wrestling insider. Candid anecdotes about the impact of ticket costs on families and the industry. 15:47 – 19:00 Super stickers: Fan questions about blurring lines between wrestling characters (heels vs. faces), social media, and kayfabe. Coach’s pet’s interruption, adding a personal touch to the show. 19:00 – 22:16 WWE’s ratings woes: Viewership decline, YouTube and Netflix business strategies discussed. Exclusive content, social media highlights, and concerns for long-term business health. 22:16 – 25:45 Missing star power: Triple H management decisions, Karrion Kross and Cody Rhodes’ absences and implications. Missed opportunities in storytelling and authority figure roles. 25:45 – 27:38 Star power shuffle, comparison to sports, and how few can really sell tickets. Issue of giving top stars extended time off despite struggling ratings. 27:38 – 29:50 Why did TKO really buy WWE? Corporate family drama between Vince, Stephanie, and Shane. TKO’s focus: Using WWE profits to pay other debts, not growing the wrestling business. 29:50 – 32:23 Summer’s always slow for wrestling, pressure on upcoming shows, star availability issues. Will TKO adjust strategies or double down? The critical importance of pivots in entertainment. 32:23 – 36:14 Content as king: WWE’s value to networks and streamers. Russo’s consulting experience with USA Network. Revenue models, sliding scale discussions, and why networks lack leverage. 36:14 – 39:36 Fun tangent: Paul Heyman, Bill Belichick, age-gap engagements, and marital humor. Tangible fan connections—the real value of personalities beyond the ring. 39:36 – 42:45 Rapid-fire super stickers: Triple H, Roman Reigns movie rumors, main event talent not working enough dates, WWE’s business vs. Hollywood crossovers. 42:45 – 48:21 Mercedes Mone on the creative differences between WWE and AEW. Changing culture: Wrestlers openly speaking out, talent wanting creative control, and management’s response. Historical reference: Steve Austin's Nash Bridges experience, Vince McMahon’s priorities. 48:21 – 51:57 Lessons from WWE’s failed movie ambitions and Stacy Keibler’s attempt at Hollywood. Why wrestling crossovers rarely pay off and how TKO’s new media mindset differs from Vince’s era. 51:57 – 58:10 Discussion about new WWE/Netflix scripted content (“Unreal Show”). Importance of having wrestling-savvy creatives, pitfalls of “TV writer” hires. Power dynamics: Triple H vs. TKO, Nick Khan’s business-first focus. 58:10 – 01:00:46 What will force WWE/TKO to change course? Cancellations, declining ratings, and money no longer being a shield against fan discontent. 01:00:46 – 01:02:15 Finale: Recap of major points, interaction with live chat, thanks to the community, and word on the show’s continued growth and upcoming move to Stadium Network. 01:02:15 – End Final thoughts: It’s about the business, the money, and what really drives change in wrestling today. Announcement of next episode and gratitude to fans. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.