'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
After the brand split in 2016, both RAW and Smackdown were given exclusive Pay Per Views (PPVs). In addition, WWE would also have 4 dual branded PPVs - Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania, Summerslam and Survivor Series. However, after almost two years, WWE is reverting back to the formula of having only dual-branded PPVs for unknown reasons.
Many speculate low ticket sales as the major reason for this change. It was notable that the 2018 edition of Elimination Chamber PPV saw very poor ticket sales - so poor that one free ticket was given with every ticket bought.
We are sure WWE has its reasons to pull the plug on brand exclusive PPVs. But it will have some serious side effects - on both their product and the talents. We will be looking at the reasons why this is bad for the talents.
3. Fans have to invest more time
Brand exclusive PPVs were just 3 hours long. However, co-branded PPVs are 4 hours. It is easy to assume that WWE does not pay much attention towards the so-called B-PPVs. Hence the action in these PPVs would be mediocre to above average. People will not have the patience to sit through 4 hours of mediocrity.
Backlash 2018 was a major example of this. Though it was scheduled to be just 3 hours, it went overtime and people started leaving the arena midway through the main event between Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe, which reportedly made Vince McMahon furious. This has a serious impact on the product.
2. It destroys the uniqueness of Summerslam
The biggest specialty of the big 4 PPVs is that they have superstars from both RAW and Smackdown. Now with dual branded PPVs, such uniqueness is lost. This affects Summerslam the most because Survivor Series and Royal Rumble have their own gimmick matches. and Wrestlemania is complemented by the Hall of Fame ceremony, Wrestlemania Axxess, returning legends, and various other kinds of stuff that make it special.
On the other hand, Summerslam does not have its own gimmick matches. Now, it is just another PPV that is one hour longer than the B PPVs and has a 2-hour kick-off show.
1. It forces talents to sit out
The best thing about brand exclusive PPVs is that it forces the certain brand to utilize their mid-card and undercard. This means that superstars who normally miss out on big PPVs get a chance to shine on normal PPVs. But now, since dual branded PPVs are back, this is not the case. Only the same bunch of people are featured in every PPVs. The others are given the cold shoulder.
Take Kevin Owens, for instance. He had the record for most consecutive PPV appearances from his debut. He had to miss out on Survivor Series 2017 because his storyline warranted it. But now, he is not on the card for Hell in a Cell, at least as of now.
Finn Balor is one of the most talented professional wrestlers in the world. He had to miss out on both Backlash and Hell in a Cell. Carmella was the Smackdown Women's Champion heading into Summerslam. Now she is not even featured in Hell in a Cell.
