According to Fightful Select, they have spoken with several WWE talents following the company's first untelevised live events in quite some time, which took place during their European tour. The report highlights that live events remain lucrative overseas and that the talent expressed enjoyment of these events.
One talent mentioned a strong preference for the current, scaled-back schedule, as it allows for occasional weekends off, more time at home, and additional recovery time. The talent stated, “I don’t miss house shows at all. They’re fun to wrestle on, but the current method is much better. It makes sense that they still do them here and there, making them much more special.”
Another talent noted that working live events is always different from performing on TV, and the reduction of live events makes them more special and enjoyable to participate in.
The report also indicates that the company is planning a holiday tour of house shows after Christmas, but higher-ups currently have no talks about increasing the schedule outside of overseas tours. One insider remarked that these events remain significant for WWE, helping to cultivate local fans. The decision to cut back the schedule was made to address costs, scheduling, talent health, and other pros and cons. It has also been beneficial for contract negotiations, as it significantly reduces the number of dates.
To date, WWE has held only 15 house shows this year, compared to nearly 50 during the same period last year. One source noted that since the schedule has been reduced, events receive more attention on social media whenever something significant occurs.
