Where To Get All Your WWE!?!

John Cena with Randy Orton, WWE
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Randall Chancellor

A few days ago, I wrote about TNA Impact Wrestling, and how it's a great show, but not easy to find.  I mean it's one night a week, and it's only on Destination America Channel--that's cable.

So, to put that into perspective, I thought tonight, I'd show you where you can watch the WWE.

Monday Night Raw

There are so many shows for the WWE, that they literally have to name them something interesting, as well as add the name of the night it's on, as in Monday Night Raw.  Raw is shown, every Monday night, at 8:00PM, on the USA Network.

At the same time, it's also shown on the WWE Network.  And to make it even more accessible, it's offered the next day for Hulu Plus subscribers.

WWE Main Event

The thing with Main Event is, it isn't shown on any network channels.  It can only be seen on the WWE Network.  It's shown every Wednesday night at 8:00PM.  And it can be found the next day on Hulu Plus.

Main Event doesn't usually display the A-list wrestlers, but it's usually a place to get a look at some lesser known names, and a small number of the A-listers do perform against the lesser wrestlers to give the show a bit more clout.

It's also a show that gives the divas a little more time on camera.

Thursday Night Smackdown

Here's another one that requires the night it's on in its name.  Thursday Night Smackdown, much like Raw is one of the bigger shows.  The A-listers attend, and the stories and rivalries are continued in full swing.

Smackdown appears on Thursday nights at 8:00PM on Syfy Channel.  It's also shown on the WWE Network at the same time.  And it can be found on Hulu Plus, the very next day.

WWE Superstars

WWE Superstars, like Main Event doesn't appear on network TV, and it doesn't usually involve the A-list talent.  It's a place for the bottom rung players to get some air time, and to give opportunities to see some new faces, like the ones that are coming out of the NXT development program.

Superstars can be seen on the WWE Network on Friday nights at 8:00PM, and then the next day on Hulu Plus.

One thing Superstars tends to do, is it'll show the highlights of the week from the other shows, like Raw and Smackdown, to give some back story to some of the rivalries.  The A-listers that are in the highlights won't be on Superstars, but the clips can add some clout.

Pay-Per-View Events

Undertaker and Triple H at Wrestlemania
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Simon Q

The list of WWE Pay-Per-View Events in 2015 are:

• January 25, 2015 Royal Rumble
• February 22, 2015 Fastlane
• March 29, 2015 WrestleMania 31
• April 26, 2015 Extreme Rules
• May 17, 2015 Payback
• June 14, 2015  Money In The Bank
• July 19, 2015 Battleground
• August 23, 2015 SummerSlam
• September 20, 2015 Night of Champions
• October 25, 2015 Hell in a Cell
• November 22, 2015 Survivor Series
• December 13, 2015 TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs

These are really the end all be all of events, and they usually see the fruition of all the build up of rivalries, and storylines.  These can't be seen on any network TV stations, or Hulu Plus.  They are pay-per-view, and as such, they are only viewable, on the WWE Network, which costs $9.99 a month.

Oddly enough, you will see that these pay-per-view events, have been strategically set up to have one-per month, sort of ensuring that subscribers will continue to pay for each and every month.

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So, there you go.  The WWE is almost everywhere.  They've saturated the wrestling market to the point that TNA is just a tiny blip on the radar.  I'm not sure how they can survive, when the WWE is pretty much everywhere.

TNA Impact Wrestling??? What Is You?

Miss Tessmacher on the Ropes, Impact Wrestling
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Ed Webster

Have you heard of TNA Impact Wrestling?

The TNA stands for Total Non Stop Wrestling, and it's supposed to indicate a bit more of an extreme style of wrestling than what the WWE has to offer.  If you take a look at some of the matches, and the roster, you'll see that they are indeed off the hook.

All matches take place in Hollywood Studios, Florida, and many of them require tables, fire or other such extra items.

One of the things that TNA does very well, is the handling of their lady wrestlers ,which they call Knockouts.  In a previous blog post, this is something I indicated, that the WWE could do a better job of.  As in, Don't Forget the Ladies.

Miss Tessmacher and Velvet Sky
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Simon Q

Anyway, the WWE could use a little of what TNA has to offer.  Their women's roster is loaded with buxom young beauties, and wouldn't you know it, they give them storylines and rivalries, just like the guys.  That's crazy right?

However, take a moment now, and try to figure out how easy it is to watch TNA Impact Wrestling?  Go ahead, I'll wait...

That sure took a while.  Right?

I mean, they use to at least be shown once a week on Spike Channel, but now, where are they?  DESTINATION AMERICA???  I mean, COME ON!

The WWE has RAW, Smackdown, Superstars and Main Event, and they're on USA and SYFY Channel.  Those are easy to find.  Destination America doesn't show up in my area until Channel #147, that's pretty far down.

But that's not even my biggest problem with this.  I don't have cable, so now how can I watch?  WWE has the WWE Network at just $9.99.  I have a ROKU.  How am I supposed to watch TNA Impact Wrestling?

The answer is, I can't.

That's right.  This is the insane alternative wrestling that doesn't offer any kind of insane alternative viewing capabilities.  If you don't pony up for BIG CABLE, you can forget it.

No, No, really!  You can forget about watching this second class wrestling show.  There's just no chance.  If you don't have mainstream TV, you'll have to settle for the mainstream WWE.  Which is just fine by me.  I like the WWE.

But what about TNA?  Don't they want new viewership?

At the end of 2014, they were dropped by Spike TV.  They tried to be a travelling show, much like the WWE, but the costs were just too high, so they settled for being a one location shop, making their home Universal Studios.

They grab any roster stars the WWE throws away, like Sting, Kurt Angle and Rob Van Dam.  They are also losing rostered wrestlers like flies.  They recently cut lose stars Velvet Sky and Bully Ray, who are together in real like.

Bully Ray
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by wwejason

Interestingly enough, Bully Ray started on WWE, and recently made a surprise appearance as one of the entrants in the WWE's Royal Rumble.

So, what to do?

Well, for starters, YOU SHOULD OFFER A STREAMING ALTERNATIVE FOR PEOPLE WITH SET TOP DEVICES.

It's just a thought.

I mean Roku, Apple TV, Chrome Stick and Amazon Fire are taking over.  Think about it TNA, you could offer 24/7 subscriptions, and if you watch what WWE has done, they just rerun everything they have.

Even if TNA doesn't offer their own subscription service, why not put all old episodes on Hulu Plus.  I mean, that right there will get you some new viewers.  I know Hulu is how my family got into the WWE.

But, whatever, TNA, just go ahead and rot on Destination Whatever.  What do I care?

Velvet Sky, Knockouts Champion
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Mike Kalisnik

The truth is, though.  I've seen a few of the episodes, and they have some great entertainment, and it'd be a shame to see it go to waste.