The WWE Network has done a great job at adding original content since its launch in 2014. Aside from giving nearly every WWE pay-per-view away in the last year, creators on the Network are figuring out what works and what doesn’t. For example, shows like Swerved and Table For 3 provided the viewer with a different look at WWE superstars, young and old. While shows like Legends House, were not so successful, producers found out what makes sense.
In a recent article done by Ringside News, here are the top-20 most popular shows on the WWE Network:
1. WWE NXT 325 – March 16, 2016 2. WWE Roadblock – March 12, 2016 3. Edge and Christian Show – Spring Break! 4. WWE NXT 324 – March 9, 2016 5. Edge and Christian Show – Madness! 6. Wrestlemania 31 7. Fastlane 2016 – February 21, 2016 8. Edge and Christian Show – The 90’s 9. Monday Nitro Top Ten 10. WWE Royal Rumble 2016 – January 24, 2016 11. Edge and Christian Show – Firsts! 12. Edge and Christian Show – Nailed It! 13. RAW 1186 – February 15, 2016 14. Wrestlemania XXX 15. The Monday Night War – The Rise of NWO 16. Wrestlemania 17 17. WWE NXT 323 – March 2, 2016 18. Total Divas – Divas On Overdrive 19. Legacy of Shane McMahon Intro 20. Wrestlemania 20
As many can see on there, the Stone Cold Podcast isn’t shown on this list. That doesn’t mean it’s the least popular show on the WWE Network, but aside from WWE NXT, it engages a lot of fans on social media as they tweet alongside the viewing. Austin’s podcast denies the kayfabe attitudes, so the wrestlers are allowed to be themselves.
This is the only venue that Vince McMahon and Triple H commented about CM Punk publicly. In a way, the Stone Cold Podcast is a great way to get hardcore fans to watch, while learning about the true nature of the business. As the pro wrestling conglomerate, they have to cater to different kinds of audiences. The hardcore fan is a big demographic for the WWE, despite the constant frustration and criticism.
They still watch, but could anyone imagine that Stone Cold Steve Austin doesn’t hold back? In a recent interview, Stone Cold said that he holds back during his Stone Cold Podcast.
“A lot of the time, I hold back because I’m one of the boys and I’ve got to show up every damn month for a podcast,” Austin said of criticizing WWE TV.
“It’s not my goal to run anybody down or run anybody down that’s in control. I love the business, but it is what it is. I have my opinion. Sometimes, believe me, I’m holding back when I’m talking about my opinions because I don’t want to shoot a hole in anybody.”
“Sometimes, in talking, quite frankly, with WWE talent, you can’t go certain directions. There’s a line that is drawn that you really can’t cross over because they can’t bury themselves and they can’t talk about certain things, so, sometimes, it just is what it is.”
Is this good for business? Should the WWE make Stone Cold hold back on his own podcast? Of course, he can’t call out McMahon or HHH for burying guys or ask why they aren’t pushing young superstars. It shouldn’t be a podcast about catering to the “marks” in pro wrestling. There are ways of going around that without pushing the envelope too much.
WWE programming should even consider doing a small segment of the Stone Cold Podcast live on WWE Raw. Honestly, some of the content on television each Monday night isn’t the greatest. Trying to fill three hours of WWE content is very difficult on a weekly basis. Giving Austin TV time is never a bad thing, unless it becomes cumbersome.
[Image via WWE.com]
