WWE Announcement at CES 2014 (WWE Network Preview): Top 10 Facts You Need to Know

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WATCH: WWE Network Announcement at CES 2014

UPDATE: The WWE Network will officially launch on February 24, 2014 at 9 a.m. EST. This 24/7 online streaming service will cost $9.99 (monthly price) for a six-month period. All 12 of WWE’s monthly PPV events will be available to watch on the WWE Network at no extra charge. The WWE Network will be available on all these listed platforms: Amazon’s Kindle Fire devices, Android devices, iOS devices, Roku streaming devices, the PlayStation 3/PlayStation 4 and Xbox 360/Xbox One. The next-gen console apps will arrive later this summer. All the content will be cast in 720p HD. Users can buy event tickets and official merchandise from the WWE Network app as well.

Wrestling’s most popular company (World Wrestling Entertainment) is heading to CES 2014 to make one of biggest announcements…ever. All the evidence we’ve seen thus far points to it being the official unveiling and details behind WWE’s planned 24-hour, video-on-demand service – the WWE Network. Here’s a roundup of all the details released on the WWE Network thus far and what you can look forward to seeing once its live and ready for your hardcore wrestling viewing habits.

1. The Big News Has Already Been Spoiled by WWE Themselves

A mass e-mail was sent out from WWE officials, which included this spoiler-worthy title – “WWE Event Reminder: WWE Network Announcement scheduled for Wednesday, January 8.” The following press release you’ll read below definitely let the cat out of the bag:

STAMFORD, Conn., January 7, 2014 – A groundbreaking WWE announcement will air LIVE on WWE.com tomorrow at 9:30 pm ET.

WWE Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Vince McMahon, Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer Michelle D. Wilson, Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon, Executive Vice President, Talent & Live Events Paul “Triple H®” Levesque, Executive Vice President, Digital Media Perkins Miller, WWE Hall of Famers Shawn Michaels and “Stone Cold®” Steve Austin and WWE Superstar John Cena® will make the announcement live from Las Vegas.

The groundbreaking announcement will also be streamed live on the WWE App, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo!, Google+, Pinterest and Pheed.

2. WWE COO Triple H Promised That This CES 2014 Announcement Would Change WWE Forever

In recent months, WWE’s official YouTube channel has posted up several interviews between WWE COO Triple H and longtime WWE announcer/commentator Michael Cole. One of the newest interviews that has gone up is an interview that shows Triple H alluding to the mega announcement that the WWE is prepared to showcase live at the 2014 edition of the Consumer Electronics Show. In the video, Triple H promises that tonight (January 8, 2014) will change the WWE forever. You can watch that interview above.

3. A Fan Survey Pointed to the Development of the WWE Network

UPDATE: The first PPV to be streamed on the WWE Network is Wrestlemania 30.

The beginnings of the WWE Network began when the WWE conducted a number of surveys that were targeted at its fanbase. The survey included questions that asked fans if they were willing to pay a fee for a subscription-based premium cable channel. After the survey, an e-mail was then sent to fans who were noted as having some vested interest in the WWE Network. This e-mail included questions that alluded to the WWE Network possibly airing WWE’s monthly PPV’s for no extra charge. Another important note that was evident in this fan e-mail/survey was the possibility of the WWE Network airing old and current wrestling footage.

4. The WWE Network was Officially Announced in September 2011

The official announcement and overall concept of the WWE Network arrived in September 2011. Over the next few months, a promo for the upcoming premium channel began airing on WWE TV. You can check out the promo above.

5. The Original Launch Date was Set for April 1, 2012

For several months, the hype behind the offical debut of the WWE Network took a huge upswing. On November 27, 2011, WWE encouraged its fanbase to being notifying their cable television service provider of the WWE Network. The original launch date was prepped for April 1, 2012 (which also happened to be the same date as the airing of WrestleMania 28). WWE.com even featured a countdown clock that was set to count down to zero on that exact day. The clock was subsequently removed from WWE.com and the WWE Network ended up making a non-debut. Since 2012, scattered news and rumors surrounded the WWE Network. Few fans even wondered if the network was even still alive at all.

6. The WWE Network/CES 2014 Announcement Was Teased During an Edition of “Old School Raw”

During an “Old School Edition” of WWE RAW, several teasers for the WWE Network were showcased all over the three-hour programming. The WWE Network logo even appeared next to the announcement promos for WWE’s big CES 2014 announcement in Las Vegas at the Wynn Hotel. This “Old School Edition” of RAW may have been a preview of what the network is set to offer its fans – a gathering of past, present and future wrestling stars.

7. Planned Content for the WWE Network Includes Old and New Wrestling Footage

UPDATE: Every PPV from WCW, ECW and WWE will be featured through the video-on-demand service. NXT will also be airing on the network. The Attitude Era will be shown uncensored and uncut. Pre-show and post-show shows will air after WWE RAW. Here’s a LINK to the PPV’s planned to launch with the WWE App.

Most of the planned footage for the WWE Network includes previous footage of the wrestling library that WWE has amassed over the years. Footage from old school WWE (WWWF AND WWF), along with WCW, ECW, NWA and AWA will most likely be available for viewing on the network. This past footage includes TV shows, PPV’s, specials etc.

8. Original Programming Has Already Been Filmed for the WWE Network

UPDATE: The original shows that will air on the WWE Network include Wrestlemania Rewind, Legends’ House, WWE Countdown and The Monday Night War – WWE vs. WCW.

Original programming is set to air on the WWE Network. One of those shows, WWE Legends’ House, is a reality show that features several past wrestling legends. In fact, 10 episodes of this special project have already been filmed. The production for the show initally began in January 2012 in Palm Springs, Florida. The final filming efforts for the show took place at the home of Harpo Max in February 2012. Over 21 weeks, the show was shot and post-produced for its introduction on the planned WWE Network. The confirmed legends who will appear on the show include “Mean” Gene Okerlund, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Hillbilly Jim, Howard Finkel, Jimmy Hart, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Pat Patterson and “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas. Sadly, this next list of legends WON’T be showing up in the legends home – “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, The Iron Shiek, “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, Sgt. Slaughter and The Honky Tonk Man.

9. WrestleMania Rewind is One of the First Shows That Was Chosen for the Network

Thanks to an online fan survey poll, fans were responsible for choosing the official name for one of the first planned WWE Network programs- WrestleMania Rewind. This show may feature clips and commentary of past WrestleMania matches and moments. Past editions of RAW that used the “WrestleMania Rewind” title have featured rematches of past WrestleMania bouts.

10. Footage of a Controversial Superstar Will Air on the WWE Network

Chris Benoit, a wrestler that has been whitewashed from WWE’s large collection of wrestling footage, will actually be shown in WWE Network footage. WWE announced that they will air an advisory warning to viewers before any Chris Benoit footage begins airing.