WWE is officially on the road to WrestleMania. But with just one house show scheduled before the event, the company’s reduction of live events is drawing concern from Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso, who discussed the issue on Rhodes’ podcast, What Do You Wanna Talk About?
The former tag team partners noted how WWE has replaced live events with other brand-building opportunities, such as commercials and increased media appearances. Both acknowledged the value of such prospects, but Uso added, “I do miss wrestling every night, though,” while pondering what the lack of live shows meant for WWE’s developmental stars in NXT.
The shift came after WWE was acquired by TKO Group Holdings in 2023. Speaking at a Goldman Sachs conference in 2024, TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro said that while the brand still needs to grow, “we don’t need to carry these marginally profitable events.”
Rhodes said he suggested to company leadership that WWE add at least one live event loop per month, arguing it would boost camaraderie, provide extra repetitions, and reinforce the sense of being part of the company.
“It’s hard to think you work somewhere if you’re only there a couple days a week,” said Rhodes.
To Rhodes’ point about repetitions, WWE’s holiday loop in December and early January gave him and Drew McIntyre opportunities to rehearse in front of a live audience. Their series of matches helped them refine spots they later used in their match on SmackDown last month, which McIntyre won to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Live events also offer fans a more intimate experience rarely seen on television. A January house show in Worcester, Mass., went viral after an elderly fan had a heated — yet hilarious — exchange with Xavier Woods.
WWE’s lone house show, aptly titled “Road to WrestleMania,” takes place on Valentine’s Day in Lubbock, Texas, at United Supermarkets Arena. Ticket tracker WrestleTix reported in late January that more than 8,000 tickets had been distributed, with the arena set up to host just under 10,000 fans.
