WWE Considering A Return To Closed Circuit For Ppv Events
World Wrestling Entertainment had representatives at several locations, including Hooters chains which were screening the Extreme Rules PPV on Sunday, giving out surveys asking fans for feedback on their interest in different ways they would be interested in viewing future WWE PPV events, including whether they would be interested in paying a cover charge at restaurants and bars to view WWE PPVs.
A good portion of the survey was dedicated to fan interest in attending WWE PPVs that would be aired via closed circuit in high definition at movie theater chains. WWE PPVs are already screened live theatrically in Canada through Cineplex Entertainment.
Closed circuit was actually routinely used in professional wrestling for major Arena events in different territories and the first three Wrestlemanias before the advent of PPV rendered the concept extinct.
In recent years, a number of entertainment entities, including Fathom Events and Sony's Hot Ticket, have used movie theaters to simulcast live concerts, Broadway shows, one-off special film screenings and opera events, so there has been a small movement in that regard.
WWE quietly tested the waters for a similar venture domestically in March 2008 when they theatrically released the "Greatest Superstars of Wrestlemania" DVD via the Carmike Cinemas chain for a short run.
PWI
