Eric Bischoff Dives into the Impact of 12 Annual WWE PPVs

The wrestling community has grown accustomed to the rhythm of 12 annual PPV/PLE events within WWE, a practice Eric Bischoff also embraced during his WCW tenure, attributing it to the financial imperative. While the prospect of a monthly wrestling spectacle is undoubtedly thrilling, it carries both advantages and drawbacks.

In the “Strictly Business” show, Bischoff extolled the financial benefits of monthly PLEs, noting, “Having those monthly PLEs they generate great revenue.” He emphasized the allure of consistent cash flow, its predictability, and the assurance of a robust return on investment, all contributing to the positive side of the equation.

Essentially a business, the wrestling industry prioritizes revenue generation. However, the frequency of PLEs, as Bischoff pointed out, poses challenges, leading to shortened storylines due to the necessity of frequently booking significant matches.

“As the author noted, you don’t really have time to let stories sink in, or you have to tell them so quickly that the nuance, some of the subtle aspects of stories that people like to read into and speculate about, you don’t get to do that,” highlighting the downside of a hurried storytelling approach. “Your speed reading through the book, you don’t really get to enjoy the book.”

WWE is currently in a PLE hiatus until the WWE Royal Rumble, a strategic move that Bischoff believes benefits the creative team. He envisions this pause as an opportunity to craft nuanced and interconnected stories leading up to the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania. “I predict this is going to be a huge, huge improvement in the storytelling structure,” Bischoff confidently stated.

Interestingly, WWE’s primary competitor, AEW, is also gearing up to adopt a monthly pay-per-view strategy, mirroring the evolving landscape of professional wrestling events.