The history of WWE pay-per-view (PPV) events dates back to the 1980s when the company first began broadcasting its biggest events on closed-circuit television. The first WWE PPV event was “The Wrestling Classic” in 1985, which was followed by the first annual “WrestleMania” event in 1986.

WWE PPV events quickly became a staple of the company’s programming and included some of the most iconic events in professional wrestling history. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, WWE produced a wide range of PPV events, including annual events like “Royal Rumble,” “SummerSlam,” “Survivor Series,” and “WrestleMania,” as well as newer events like “Money in the Bank” and “Extreme Rules.”

In the late 1990s, WWE’s PPV business boomed, thanks in part to the popularity of the “Attitude Era,” which featured edgier storylines and characters. PPV events like “WrestleMania XV” and “WrestleMania X-Seven” set records for buys and revenue, and WWE continued to produce memorable events throughout the 2000s.

In recent years, WWE has expanded its PPV offerings, adding more events to its annual schedule and creating brand-specific PPVs for its flagship shows “Raw” and “SmackDown.” The company has also embraced new technologies and platforms, offering its events on digital streaming services like WWE Network (now known as Peacock) and on traditional cable and satellite providers.

Today, WWE continues to produce some of the biggest and most-watched PPV events in sports and entertainment, with events like “WrestleMania,” “SummerSlam,” and “Royal Rumble” drawing millions of viewers each year. While the format and distribution of WWE PPV events have changed over the years, their place as a cornerstone of the company’s programming remains unchanged.

How to watch WWE Premium Live events

There are several ways to watch WWE Premium Live Events, formerly known as WWE pay-per-view events:

Peacock: WWE is on Peacock, which offers live streaming of all pay-per-view events, as well as access to a vast library of WWE content, including past pay-per-view events.

Cable or satellite providers: Many cable and satellite providers offer WWE pay-per-view events for purchase. You can check with your provider to see if they offer this option.

Streaming services: Some streaming services, such as Hulu Live TV and Sling TV, offer WWE pay-per-view events as part of their subscription packages.

International broadcasts: WWE pay-per-view events are broadcast on various international channels, depending on the region. You can check with your local television provider to see if they offer the event.

Live events: WWE pay-per-view events are also held live in arenas around the world, so you can attend in person if you’re able to.

WWE PPV History