Fans of the independent pro wrestling scene that have a subscription to the WWE Network are going to have a field day this weekend.
The news broke today, as first reported by Sports Illustrated, that WWE is ready to add independent pro wrestling footage to the WWE Network starting this Saturday, August 15, 2020, with content from the EVOLVE, wXw, PROGRESS and Insane Championship Wrestling tape libraries joining the existing content already available on the digital subscription service.
The company’s acquisition of these video tape libraries was essentially specifically done for the purposes of the WWE Network and while plans for the tiered version appear scrapped, the idea was always to feature independent pro wrestling content as soon as they could do so in a way that fits their business model and plans.
Additionally, the Sports Illustrated story reported that the new content includes two “Best Of” compilation specials, which feature the work of current reigning, defending WWE Champion Drew McIntyre in EVOLVE Wrestling, as well as WWE NXT Champion Keith Lee’s rise in the promotion.
Regarding the news, “The Scottish Psychopath” offered the following reaction:
“I absolutely never imagined matches from these companies, the places where I found myself in wrestling, are now going to be on the WWE Network. Hopefully they’re as good as I remember. That’s the period where I started to become the man I am today. I found myself on the microphone and in the ring. Independent wrestling, as a whole, was really growing during that period of time. There were a number of incredible superstars in America and the U.K. that are now part of WWE, and it’s going to be incredible to relive that part of history. When you watch those shows, you’ll see people that were so hungry and wanted to make the industry grow. For me, it’s one of the coolest eras ever, and I was so grateful to be a face of independent wrestling. I was so excited to be on these shows, and I’m blown away that those matches, my history, are going to be on the Network.”
The other content that will be added on Saturday includes: Insane Championship Wrestling’s Shug’s Hoose Party 5: Night 2 from 2018, wXw Femme Fatales 2019, wXw AMBITION 11 from 2019, and PROGRESS Wrestling’s Chapter 92 from 2019.
Featured below is a video that WWE released via their official YouTube channel shortly after announcing the news through Sports Illustrated to help spread the word about the new content coming to the WWE Network.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke0e9JiBLaQ
We will keep you posted here at wrestling-edge.com as updates on independent pro wrestling video footage and content joining the WWE Network continues to surface.
Follow Wrestling-Edge reporter Matt Boone on Twitter @MattBoone1984.
