Folks, it looks like the life of a WWE Superstar is getting a little less like a non-stop marathon and a bit more like a leisurely jog—well, for now, at least. The days of grinding through over 300 shows a year are fading into the past, and it seems WWE is rethinking its live event strategy as we roll into the holiday season. The rumor mill is churning, and according to the ever-reliable Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, big changes are afoot. So, what’s cooking behind the curtain? Let’s dive in.
House Show Cutbacks: More Netflix, Less Knuckle Sandwiches
Word on the street is that WWE is planning to drastically scale back its house show schedule in the United States, with only a couple of domestic dates on the horizon before Christmas. That’s right—aside from a few stops in Columbus, Georgia, and Huntsville, Alabama, it looks like the WWE ring crew won’t be needing their frequent flyer miles until after the holiday turkey’s been carved. After that, the annual holiday tour, including the much-anticipated December 28 event and the rumored Madison Square Garden extravaganza on December 26, will be the only live shows on the docket until the new year.
Superstar Reactions: Relaxed, but Ready for the Next Challenge
Now, you’d think the superstars would be up in arms about fewer shows, right? Wrong! According to the whispers picked up by Fightful, most of the talent is actually cool with the idea of a lighter schedule. More days off mean more time at home, more Netflix binges, and fewer red-eye flights to small towns in the middle of nowhere. Sounds like a win-win to me!
But before you start thinking this is all sunshine and rainbows, there’s a catch—more international live events might be on the way. Yep, WWE’s summer tour of Mexico, Japan, and Europe was such a smash hit that the brass are eyeing more global excursions. And while the superstars haven’t voiced strong opinions just yet, you can bet that the thought of packing up for more frequent overseas trips might have them rethinking their enthusiasm for those lighter schedules.
What’s Next for WWE?
So, what does this mean for WWE as a whole? Are we seeing the dawn of a new, more family-friendly schedule, or is this just the calm before the storm? With international events on the rise, the globe-trotting superstars might soon find themselves trading in their comfy domestic routines for more passport stamps. But until then, it’s all about enjoying the downtime and gearing up for those holiday shows.
One thing’s for sure—when WWE does decide to crank things back up, the fans will be ready, and so will the superstars. But for now, it’s time to kick back, relax, and enjoy the quiet before the inevitable storm of suplexes, body slams, and crowd-popping pyrotechnics.