Post by Jim1025 on Sept 18, 2007 12:49:25 GMT -5
By the middle of 1985, the WWF became a major part of American popular culture. NBC jumped on the wrestling bandwagon and started to broadcast Saturday Night’s Main Event on weekends when Saturday Night Live would have been showing reruns. The benefits for the WWF were many. At this time, cable TV was still in it’s infancy and many markets in the country still did not show WWF programming. In addition to expanding their market, the WWF learned how to produce a better looking television programming by working with NBC and using their television crew. This show also helped the WWF to sign new stars as they were the only promotion to be recognized by most of the main stream media. If a wrestler wanted to be a star, he knew that he would have to sign with the WWF.
As great as this show was for the WWF, it was even better for the fans. Prior to this show, most WWF programming featured a star against a jobber in a squash match. They would then spend a good part of the show selling an event in your local area to see the stars battle. This was the first time in WWF history that great matches were shown for free.
With the success of the show, NBC broadcast yearly primetime specials from 1998 – 2001. In 1992, the show moved to FOX for two broadcasts before going on hiatus for fourteen years.
As great as this show was for the WWF, it was even better for the fans. Prior to this show, most WWF programming featured a star against a jobber in a squash match. They would then spend a good part of the show selling an event in your local area to see the stars battle. This was the first time in WWF history that great matches were shown for free.
With the success of the show, NBC broadcast yearly primetime specials from 1998 – 2001. In 1992, the show moved to FOX for two broadcasts before going on hiatus for fourteen years.