A global giant, WWE produces content throughout the world. Broadcasted in over 180 countries, listened to in 30 languages, and available in over one billion homes, the pro wrestling company has no plans to stop. That is thanks to the WWE Network and broadcast partnerships.
One market WWE looks to create a longstanding relationship with is India.
Since 1996, WWE has come to India in four different years, with a multi-event tour in 2002. Per Front Office Sports, 56.1 million Indian viewers watched WrestleMania 38 on Sony Sports Network, an increase of 29% from 2021. Thanks to a five-year deal with Sony Pictures Networks India to produce content for WWE's Indian market, the company is ready to enhance its value in India.
“The appetite for pro wrestling is very, very big because we love drama, we love storytelling, and wrestling is all about that,” says Ishan Chavan, producer of WWE content for Sony Pictures Network via FOS. “It’s got that perfect blend of spice, extra edge — sometimes it gets emotional, sometimes you question if it’s logical, but that’s the beauty of it. I think Indian fans love that.
MORE: All you need to know about WWE Superstar Spectacle 2023
“Indian audiences connect with heart. If we win, they’re happy. If we lose, they’re not crying, but they feel very, very bad.”
Part of the deal includes events for the Indian market. There were also talks of a potential Performance Center in the country. Bringing talent of Indian descent back home, WWE created the Superstar Spectacle event.
What is WWE Superstar Spectacle?
During WWE's third quarter financial call in October 2020, WWE President and CRO Nick Khan stated (via the Wrestling Observer) that the company was working with Sony Pictures Network to produce an event that featured developing and established Indian wrestlers.
MORE: WWE's history in India
In 2021, WWE produced the first Superstar Spectacle event, with WWE's first world champion of Indian descent, Jinder Mahal, Indus Sher, Jeet Rama, Sareena Sandhu, Dilsher Shanky, and Guru Raaj appearing. The event too place at the WWE ThunderDome in Florida due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, Superstar Spectacle is in G. M. C. Balayogi Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad. The event features Indus Sher, John Cena, Imperium, Rhea Ripley, Seth "Freakin'" Rollins, and more. The broadcast will only be available in India.
WWE Superstar Spectacle 2023 match card
- John Cena and Seth "Freakin'" Rollins vs. Imperium (Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser)
- The Judgment Day (Damian Priest and Finn Balor) (c) vs. Indus Sher (Sanga and Veer Mahaan) (with Jinder Mahal) for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles
- Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Natalya for the WWE Women's World Title