WWE Returning To Live Broadcasting Due Contractual Obligations

As previously reported, WWE this week will resume broadcasting live TV with Raw, Smackdown and NXT all set to air live.

According to Dave Meltzer on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE’s reason for returning to live broadcasting is due to concerns with regards to their contractual obligations with FOX and USA Network.

Meltzer reported that WWE’s contract with the networks stipulates live shows for Smackdown, Raw, and NXT for 49 weeks out of the year. It was not revealed if FOX and NBCUniversal have put pressure on WWE but the company is concerned about potential financial penalties which is why they are returning to live to broadcasts rather than slowing down their output during the coronavirus pandemic.

It remains to be seen if WWE can pull this off and for how long.