Due to the time difference, it was rare for WWE to have a Raw or SmackDown in another part of the world for fear that people in the United States would know what happened when it would air on TV. In addition, it was once unthinkable for WWE to have an actual pay-per-view somewhere else because it has no choice to be live and would affect the buyrate if pay-per-views weren’t on at prime time.
But now that WWE has shifted their PPV strategy to WWE Network, WWE is potentially rethinking their strategy and may someday have a pay-per-view in Europe for the first time since SummerSlam 1992.
And this wouldn’t be just any pay-per-view, WrestleMania may be heading to London in the near future. This has stemmed from a WWE fan survey that was obtained by The Independent where WWE polled fans about where they would like to see future WrestleMania’s. One of the choices on the survey is London, among other places like Toronto and New York City.
Don’t start making plans just yet. For one thing, next year’s WrestleMania is going to be in New Orleans and Orlando is going to be a rather regular WrestleMania fixture every few years. And in addition to other cities wanting on the WrestleMania train, it could be a while before we see 90,000 people pack Wembley Stadium.
Looking at the logistical issues surrounding putting a WrestleMania in Europe, the main thing is the time difference. It can be anywhere from five to eight hours earlier in the United States compared to London. And since WrestleMania started at 7 pm (main show), that would mean WrestleMania would start anywhere from 11 am to 2 pm depending on where you live in the United States (other than Alaska and Hawaii).
It would be suicidal for a pay-per-view to start in the afternoon, not to mention a WrestleMania but things have changed now. WWE Network is where almost everyone watches WrestleMania now and people pay their $9.99 a month regardless if they watch WrestleMania or not so now the event buyrate isn’t much of a big deal.
And considering WWE is making a big focus on expanding to other parts of the world, this could be the right move. WWE made Jinder Mahal WWE Champion to help the rise in popularity in India and WWE had a United Kingdom tournament in January, this would be a logical next step. Maybe WWE should try a smaller PPV in an arena in England before going straight to Wembley and WrestleMania but I wouldn’t be shocked if someday WrestleMania is performed in London.
Back during the early years, WrestleMania was a daytime event (with the exception of WrestleMania 2, which was held on a Monday night). So a WrestleMania in London will more than likely happen. Most likely, WWE can do one of their two week European tours immediately following the show (of course that would mean the Raw and Smackdown immediately after the big show would be on tape).