How WWE Changed The Way You Watch Media

CHAPTER 1: WWF & NWA: CCTV or PPV?

Like most rewritten WWE history, it was WCW that has that honor, as in 1983 Jim Crockett Promotions aired Starrcade on PPV.

The success of Starrcade made the WWF’s Vince McMahon see that there was money in those there PPV hills – which he did in 1985 with WrestleMania I.

And even then, WWE’s re-written history isn’t entirely accurate here either, as WrestleMania I wasn’t a ‘complete’ PPV model they way we know it today, with it also being broadcast in select locations across the United States via CCTV.

The ‘full PPV model’ would come for the WWF in November 1985, when they hosted The Wrestling Classic; which featured a 16-man tournament and a World Title Match between Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper.

Whatever the accuracy of WWE’s version of history, there’s no arguing that WrestleMania I was a success.

Such a success in fact that they upped the ante for WrestleMania II – not just broadcasting on PPV, but also hosting the show from 3 separate locations, which was an insane logistical task at the time considering not just the viewership experience for those in attendance but also to try and co-ordinate the broadcast feed on PPV and CCTV.

Did it work? No, not really. And it’s a rubbish show.

WrestleMania III in 1987 was where WWF really began to stake their claim in the PPV market and truly became revolutionary.

‘Mania III was available to 6.5 million homes across the United States, and according to figures released by Titan Sports, had a 10.2 buy rate.

Taking away those who purchased tickets for closed circuit broadcasts, which were still available for this show, WrestleMania III – headlined by the iconic Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant title match – is estimated to have been purchased by almost 400,000 homes, netting WWF $10 million.

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