WWE’s business is doing very well, as television ratings are up, and merchandise and ticket sales are through the roof.
This comes at a time when WWE has turned around its popularity with The Bloodline storyline involving Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, The Usos, and Solo Sikoa, The Rock’s return earlier this year, the rise of Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, and the continuation of Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes being the face of the company.
WWE is relying on media rights fees more than ever, as that is the bulk of their revenue. Since WWE gets huge deals for its television shows and PLEs, they don’t have to rely on house shows, as once upon a time, that made up most of their money.
Dave Meltzer noted in a Wrestling Observer Daily Update that, looking at the touring schedule, WWE has significantly reduced the number of shows it plans to run this summer.
Meltzer wrote, “WWE has cut way back this summer on house shows as well as NXT shows. There are only a few main roster house shows this summer and only five NXT house shows this summer.”
During July, the main roster has five live events in Mexico and Japan, while NXT has two house shows. For August, the main roster has seven shows, including shows in Florida and Germany.