Starting this Friday, WWE will be embarking on a multi-week European tour. Those stops include not only house shows but Raw and SmackDown as well. This is just the latest step in taking the company to international waters.
For the past few years, the company has had many PLEs across the world. Countries like Australia, France, and Germany have gotten the opportunity to host WWE and their wrestlers. An added bonus is them getting a Friday Night SmackDown or a Monday Night Raw.
Doing so reduces travel complications while giving fans more viewing experiences. It is clear that producing shows outside of the United States has been a huge success for numerous reasons. As WWE continues its impressive run of popularity, shows around the world will become more common, paving the way for more people to see their favorite wrestlers live and in person.
WWE’s International Roster is a Big Appeal
When you look at WWE’s roster, you notice wrestlers from around the world. Iyo Sky is from Japan, Chelsea Green is from Canada, and Rhea Ripley is from Australia, among others. Bringing PLEs to different countries allows those wrestlers to have a homecoming.
With WWE’s travel schedule, wrestlers sometimes don’t see their families for months. Giving them PLEs in their country allows for family time and reunions. International shows also give fans someone to root for if they’re on the PLE.
Australian fans got to see the Grayson Waller Effect at Elimination Chamber: Perth. Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at Clash at the Castle: Scotland. Drew McIntyre had title matches at both Clash at the Castle events.
Giving international wrestlers a PLE in their home country allows them to see their family and have a big support system at the event.
The Strategy Establishes WWE as a Global Powerhouse
Whenever a sports league, such as the MLB or NHL, goes overseas, it’s treated as a big deal. The reason is that people in those countries only see broadcasts over television or streaming. Seeing their favorite players in person, given that they play thousands of miles away, is a rare treat.
The same thing can be said with WWE. Shows are broadcast around the world, with various teams of announcers in their native language. However, nothing’s better than seeing them in person.
Giving fans in Europe or Asia that opportunity is a great way to expand their wrestling fandom. Also, they could bring along someone who doesn’t watch WWE or like wrestling at all.
If they see a Raw or SmackDown and decide they like it, WWE just gained a new fan. The international outreach is a great way for WWE to get new fans around the world.
WWE is More Popular Than Ever Before
WWE has had a successful past couple of years. Streaming deals with Netflix and Peacock have paid dividends in various ways. They have had numerous runs of sold out shows and great ticket sales.
But their international expansion is one of the biggest reasons why WWE is currently hot. Instead of one weekend in Germany or Japan, numerous countries host WWE events throughout the year. Multiple Raws, SmackDowns, and PLEs have been broadcast from around the world over the past few years.
This allows millions of people to see their favorite wrestlers in person, something that used to be a rare occasion. The countries also get intense tourism during that time, as many from outside the country attend as well.
The international strategy isn’t something done from an optics perspective. Everyone, from the wrestlers to the fans, benefits from this business strategy in a big way.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
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