Breaking News: WWE to Withdraw from Home Video Category in the United Kingdom
After close to 40 years of releasing VHS, DVDs, and Blu-Rays for fans in the United Kingdom, WWE has made the decision to withdraw from the home video category. The official WWE Home Video UK X (Twitter) account issued a statement announcing this unfortunate news, stating that no licensing deals will be renewed after 2023. The last WWE Home Video release from Fremantle, CROWN JEWEL 2023 (2 disc-DVD), is set to be released on December 18th in the UK and December 22nd in Germany.
This announcement marks the end of an era for WWE Home Video UK, which has been releasing physical media for 36 years, with the last 11 years being handled by Fremantle in Europe. As of December 31st, no further WWE DVD or Blu-Ray stock will be manufactured.
Expressing their gratitude, WWE Home Video UK thanked all of their collectors and fans for their years of support and passion. This decision comes as a surprise to many, as WWE has been a staple in the home video market for decades.
While this withdrawal is currently limited to the United Kingdom, there is speculation that WWE may transition to a fully digital platform starting in 2024. Haus of Wrestling reports that this move could signal a shift in WWE’s distribution strategy, aligning with the industry’s growing trend towards digital media consumption.
As fans eagerly await further updates, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact the availability and accessibility of WWE content in the UK. With the rise of streaming services and on-demand platforms, the future of home video releases in the wrestling industry is uncertain.
For more information on this breaking news, you can visit the official statement on the WWE Home Video UK Twitter account.
Stay tuned to Pro Wrestling Wars for the latest updates on this developing story.