'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
When reports of WWE hosting Live Shows for Christmas as well as the New Year were announced, the reactions that came from the WWE stars and Universe were not very complimentary. However, it may be that it was not entirely a decision made by WWE themselves.
In case you didn't know, WWE announced on their website that they would be broadcasting Raw and Smackdown on 25th and 26th of December as well as on the 1st and 2nd of January. The shows will air Live on days that are recognised as holidays and are characterised by the togetherness and importance of family.
This is a time that all the Superstars would want to be with their families after spending so much time on the road throughout the rest of the year. The announcement brought out a lot of sympathy for the Superstars as fans reacted angrily against WWE's decision to broadcast live on those days.
Trending
Corey Graves deleted his Tweet! More details HERE.
This means that the stars will be forced to work those days and miss out on time with their families. This will be an actual first as this has never happened before.
Several fans were of the view that WWE could easily use taped shows for those Raw and Smackdown events instead of forcing the stars to miss out on the family holidays.
The shows being aired on holidays will mean that the ratings will also be down, with WWE having a history of getting low ratings on holidays. Earlier in the year, WWE hit record low ratings for the Memorial Day show.
With Raw and Smackdown in Christmas and New Year scheduled to take place as a live broadcast for the first time in history, this will mean that WWE will be broadcasting live with very few actual viewers watching the show.
The lowest ratings are almost always around Christmas and New Year time, as that is a time where people focus more on festivities and family than television.
Mike Johnson of PWInsider, posted his opinion on Facebook, stating how easily it could have been taped before if WWE wanted to, and criticised the decision thoroughly, calling the decision 'inexcusable' as well as 'callous and cruel'.
He ended the long post with,
"It's cruel not just to the talents but to all the employees that will have to do the grunt work around those dates, all the production people who have to be on the road, and everyone's families
I hope WWE changes this strategy ASAP."
The post received a lot of support, but there was one comment that stuck out.
Rebecca Hardy, the wife of Matt Hardy, commented on the post, expressing her sadness. What stuck out, however, was how she ended the comment, saying,
"But it's not WWE. They didn't want this either."
This comment seems to indicate that it was not actually the decision of the WWE to make this change, and that the blame lies elsewhere.
What this could mean is, that WWE is being forced to broadcast live on Christmas and New Year day. But who could be the ones forcing a giant like WWE, to do something that they don't want to?
This is where the USA Network comes in. With sole rights in America over Raw and Smackdown Live, USA Network controls the actions of WWE with regards to the show. With the WWE Network not being as large as they want it to be and the contract with USA Network stopping them from broadcasting Raw and Smackdown on their network, WWE depends on USA Network for their ratings.
The complete dependence on USA Network for their main two shows, gives them a stranglehold over WWE. There have not been reports of discontent between the two, but this could be the only explanation for the decision.
Deck the halls and ring in the New Year with Monday Night Raw, live on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 on USA Network.
WWE's own post on their website mentions USA Network, and this might be the reason that WWE employees are forced to go on the road yet again, even at the 'Most Wonderful Time of the Year'.
If this is true then USA Network has a lot to answer for. As of now, there is no confirmation that this is the case.
Unfortunately for WWE employees, this means that the decision is unlikely to be changed, and they can look forward to a Christmas and New Year, away from homes and loved ones.
