WWE talent are reportedly pleased with the company’s significantly lighter house show schedule. A recent report from Fightful Select indicates that multiple performers have enjoyed the change, which is part of a broader strategic shift under TKO Group Holdings. The company is currently on a European tour, where house shows remain a profitable venture.
One veteran wrestler noted a strong preference for the current model, which allows for more time at home and recovery between events. “I don’t miss house shows at all,” the veteran stated. “They’re fun to wrestle on, but the current method is much better. It makes sense that they still do them here and there, and it makes them much more special.” Another performer echoed this sentiment, adding that with the number of house shows cut by two-thirds, the events now feel more significant and enjoyable.
This reduction is a deliberate business strategy by TKO Group Holdings to move away from what President Mark Shapiro has described as “low-margin” or “marginally profitable” events. The previous approach under Vince McMahon involved a heavy touring schedule to expand the brand’s reach, but TKO leadership believes the WWE brand is currently popular enough to scale back. Through August of this year, WWE has run only 15 main roster house shows, a steep drop from the nearly 50 events held in the same period in 2023.
The impact of this new strategy was clear from the beginning of the year, as WWE held no house shows in January or February 2025, giving talent an extended break leading into the WrestleMania season. According to WWE higher-ups, there are no plans to expand the domestic house show schedule, though the annual holiday tour after Christmas is still set to proceed. The company has found that the reduced schedule has also become a positive factor in contract negotiations, offering wrestlers more flexibility.
A source also mentioned an interesting side effect of the new model: when WWE does run live events, standout moments tend to generate significantly more buzz on social media. This shift in strategy has not been limited to traditional house shows; a special “WWE Late Night” comedy event scheduled for SummerSlam weekend in August was also canceled earlier this year.