Further Details On PROGRESS Wrestling Leaving The WWE Network

In a major announcement for the UK independent wrestling scene, it was revealed last week that PROGRESS Wrestling would be leaving the WWE Network after the contract between the promotion and WWE had expired. 

PROGRESS' shows will continue to air on their own streaming service and the promotion's co-owner Martyn Best revealed further details about the WWE partnership coming to an end during a chat with PWMania. 

"In very pure terms, our contract with WWE had been completed, so in that sense, nothing caused a change - just a straightforward completion of that contract. Of course, I'm not so naive not to be aware that there are wider matters at play, and I'd say there are two perspectives," Best said.

"Huge respect for WWE, and they are clearly facing some change. While I'm curious and watch with interest, I'm not going to be so rash as to speculate how the next few months will play out. For us, a contract ended, but not the relationship. I can guess that not having indy content on the network may make any future discussions of whatever digital media review has been referred to a little simpler.

"From the perspective of Lee and I, we now have a fresh set of options ahead of us. That WWE contract was agreed over six years ago by people no longer associated with the company, and the digital media landscape has changed dramatically, as has the wrestling scene, so we have some exciting opportunities ahead of us."

As part of those new opportunities, PROGRESS will look into live-streaming and producing behind-the-scenes content.

"In some ways, yes, and for example, we'll be able to look into live streaming and publish on other more diverse platforms to show not only our actual matches but also dig deeper into behind-the-scenes and other aspects which our fans have been asking for. We also want to bring out other elements of what we do and reach out to a wider and more diverse audience," Best added.

PROGRESS Wrestling's next show - Chapter 149: Establish Your Love - is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 12 in Manchester, England.