As news continues to roll in about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many entertainment companies have decided to cut off their services to Russia as a result of their actions in Ukraine. Due to the attack, major motion picture studios have decided not to release their movies in Russia.
And now World Wrestling Entertainment, also known as WWE, has announced that they will be shutting down their WWE Network in Russia due to current events. This announcement was made in a press release on their corporate website, WWE.com.
The short press release reads as follows:
It’s not clear how many people in Russia actually watch the WWE Network; however, it is the only way to watch WWE programming outside of the United States. It is a great inconvenience to any WWE fans that are in Russia.
WrestleMania Is One Month Away
Although the WWE had no choice in the timing of this action, this is the time of year when shutting down the WWE Network would hurt WWE fans the most as WrestleMania is the WWE’s most enormous premium live event of the year, and it is set to happen in one month.
While many would argue that WWE’s current content is not as good as it used to be, this year’s WrestleMania looks to be one that fans would not want to miss. With the induction of the Undertaker set to take place the day before WrestleMania, and the rumored in-ring return of WWE Legend Stone Cold Steve Austin, this particular WrestleMania does appear to be shaping up to be a special event.
As with any other entertainment sanctions put on Russia, it is unclear how much of an effect this will have on the overall grand scheme of things. However, it is good to see WWE taking action to support the people of Ukraine, even if it is a gesture that may not have a lasting impact on the conflict.
WWE’s quick response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by shutting down the WWE Network in Russia has been praised by some while also the cause of scorn for others. Some have called for WWE to be more consistent in responding to such acts, pointing out that they still do events in Saudi Arabia, where many human rights violations still occur. Those asking for consistency also point out that WWE has not shut down the WWE Network in any other country where there is an active conflict, causing those commenters to feel that this is simply WWE bowing to pressure from the public.
WWE has not stated under what conditions the WWE Network would return to Russia; however, one must assume that the WWE network will not return until the conflict in Ukraine is over.
