Wrestling fans in the UK have launched a petition weeks before WWE’s huge move to Netflix. The move will signal an end to “watch parties” across the country, where wrestling lovers gather inside pubs and bars to watch WWE’s big monthly Premium Live Events – or PPVs for the older crowd.
And with WWE launching all of its content on Netflix on January 6, it signals an end to the parties as pubs and bars aren’t allowed to show Netflix-streamed content in the way they were allowed to show content on Sky Sports or TNT Sports Box Office in the past.
One of the main organisers of the watch parties, Hooked on Wrestling, announced that their last set of events took place on Saturday with the Survivor Series War Games event, but now fans have launched a petition in a bid to force WWE to act on the issue.
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Paul Benson, owner of HOW, posted on Instagram: “Last night was the last WWE PLE that will air on TNT Sports Box Office in the UK and therefore the last we can run watch parties for. After 11 years, our events are coming to an end.
“Right now, there are no legal ways for Netflix to be aired in bars. We’re trying to have conversations with WWE & Netflix to find a way to continue bringing the UK WWE fan community together but we ask you to help demonstrate the need for these events in the UK.”
And launching the petition, which can be found by clicking here, fan Trev Moulton said: “No longer when someone wins a Royal Rumble or is crowned Champion in the main event of WrestleMania will we see clips on WWE television of partying fans celebrating from viewing parties in bars across the world.
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“No longer will fans have the choice to watch a WWE event in a venue packed full of like minded fans with the same atmosphere as watching the game or a fight there. No more best dressed WWE themed fancy dressed competitions,
“No more meet and greets with a guest WWE legend from yesteryear, no more hundreds of fans consecutively counting down from 10 every two minutes in a Rumble match,
“No more making new friends at venues from a shared love of wrestling to meet on a monthly basis. Not only that, but also think of the jobs these viewing parties have created over the years and the economical benefits to the local communities by showing them.
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“Let’s send a message to WWE & Netflix & keep our viewing parties alive and the experience they bring that cannot be replicated from the comfort of a home!”
Content from rival companies All Elite Wrestling and TNA Wrestling can be shown, although only on rare occasions as their major shows are hardly ever streamed on major channels in the UK.
The Daily Star has reached out to WWE and Netflix for a comment.
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