WWE has been a pioneer in Virtual Reality (VR) experiences. In 2018, the company began a partnership with NextVR, a virtual reality distribution technology company that specializes in broadcasting live events in virtual reality. For free, members of the WWE Universe were able to watch a WWE channel within the NextVR app and see WWE action as if they were ringside at the event.
Promotions have leveraged social media platforms to interact with fans in real-time, fostering a sense of community. Wrestlers have done the same, particularly via Twitch. The wrestlers include Kenny Omega, Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano, Dakota Kai, and Michin.
Many promotions have used live streaming platforms to stream matches and events, reaching a wider audience. Yanagase Pro Wrestling broadcasts shows on TwitCasting, a livestreaming service based in Japan that has over 33 million registered users worldwide. Michinoku Pro joined WRESTLE UNIVERSE this March, and before then, the wrestling company was using general-purpose streaming platform YouTube to stream, "Michinoku Pro Wrestling LIVE". World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana has its own live streaming service, Diana Live. Meanwhile, the Singapore independent wrestling scene also uses streaming to introduce its top stars. After a five-year hiatus, WOS Wrestling made its return last month, and content from the event will be made available online for fans both inside and outside of the UK. And in January 2025, WWE Raw will become exclusive to Netflix, plus WWE also utilizes Peacock as an exclusive streaming partner and partnered with Abema in Japan with the partnership involving WWE making its live content available exclusively via a streaming service. Also, WWE has created "WWE Speed", a program that is streamed exclusively via X.
Interactive fan engagement apps have been created, such as WWE SuperCard, WWE 2K, WWE Immortals, and AEW: Rise to the Top. These apps offer a variety of features, from collectible card games to role-playing experiences. Not only do they entertain fans and enhance fan engagement, but these apps also foster community building, generate revenue, and provide valuable data for marketing and product development.
Wrestling promotions have embraced e-commerce to sell merchandise directly to fans (via WWE Shop, Shop AEW, and many more), offering a convenient and global shopping experience. Some of them have experimented with the integration of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to create unique digital collectibles for fans.
These are just a few examples of how technology has been successfully integrated into professional wrestling. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative applications in the future, with technology playing an increasingly important role. From virtual reality experiences and social media engagement to live streaming and interactive apps, these innovations are transforming the way fans experience and interact with the industry. As technology advances further, we can expect to see even more exciting and innovative applications that will continue to enhance the wrestling experience for fans around the world.
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