WWE Q2 2015 Reax

Read on for my thoughts on yesterday's WWE financial news.

WWE released a LOT of financial information:
- The Network seems to be entrenching itself well. There's still work to be done to reach the eventual goals they have for it, but it looks like they're on the right path. Hopefully WM32 season will give them a big boost.

- WWE reaching audiences beyond the core wrestling fan base through shows like "Total Divas" is smart. I'm curious what their next experiment will be in that regard if "Tough Enough" fizzles out.

- I think we're probably in for more ads on Facebook/the Network. I know consumers hate that, but it costs both money and people-hours to make content. They need to get paid to keep doing it.

- The Network is definitely a big part of things for WWE going forward. Digital distribution is becoming more of the norm. I believe the goal is for the Network to one day entirely replace PPVs. It's ambitious, but doable.

- By the way, remember when people thought the Network was a pipe dream and set to be "XFL 2.0?" Maybe people should think twice about believing those naysayers' other predictions about WWE failing.

- I'm actually surprised the shows with Springer and the Jackass people have been successful. They obviously still get an audience in 2015.

- They'd be crazy not to do more in the line of Beast in the East. Not every week, obviously, but maybe every other month?

- WWE's going to need to gain more subscribers internationally. Those numbers are kind of lackluster. I think getting commentary in other languages would really help, although obviously that's a pretty extensive process.

- Adding standalone subscription cards is smart.

- Latin America remains a sluggish market for them. They need to get on improving that. The EMEA numbers are a nice boost, though.

- What's going on with the home entertainment/digital media category?

Update: Oh, basically it's because DVDs/Blu-rays aren't selling like they used to, and there's no digital WWE Magazine anymore. I don't think there's much use in trying to save DVDs/Blu-rays.

- WWE's still getting a pretty decent buyrate for traditional PPVs considering we're now in Year 2 of the Network. I wonder what's keeping people from switching to the cheaper Network? Is it a technology thing?

- Live events doing better is good. Once NXT gets fired up as a third brand, that will hopefully improve things even more.

Update: WWE made more from the Network in the past 12 months than in any 12 month period from PPVs. That's AMAZING. Not having to split money with PPV providers is great business for them.

Wall Street was quite happy with WWE's results. The stock really surged. God, I hope the people mocking WWE pushing the Network so hard are being recognized as idiots now.

Here's a recap from WWE's conference call:
- Apparently more studio content is on the way. That's worth trying out.

- I think they're on track to do even more with the Network. It's going to be a bigger part of things going forward. Their TV deals are going to remain a heavy focus, but the Network is a heavy priority.

- They have high hopes for Summerslam. It doesn't feel like Mania yet, but there's still time. Adding Sting or another big name we don't see wrestle often (in addition to Stephen Amell) will clinch that for me.

- Hogan's departure totally affects WWE based on all the projects they had to drop/reconfigure. That was a nice shot at the guy who has been pitching "one more match" for years, though.

In another recap, it was said there are a lot of WWE fans who don't know about the Network. I'm guessing that's more of the casual/older audience, because I don't see how people who even just watch Raw aren't familiar with it. It's crazy that nearly four million people watch Raw each week, but only one million in the U.S. have subscribed to the Network. What are these people waiting for!?

WWE's stock went up more than 15 percent after their financial info release. That's amazing. Good for them.

More wrestling tomorrow.