The night a wrestling ladder match became a 'premium live event'
In short: In 2022, WWE fundamentally shifted its business model by rebranding its biggest shows as 'premium live events.' This wasn't just a name change; it signaled a move toward multi-platform streaming and a new era of corporate structure, occurring just weeks before the retirement of the company's long-time chairman.
The 2022 Money in the Bank event served as a pivotal transition point for WWE. It was the first time the company officially used the term 'premium live event' (PLE) to describe its shows airing on traditional pay-per-view and livestreaming platforms. This rebranding coincided with a strategic shift to hold these events primarily on Saturdays rather than the traditional Sunday slot. Following the local WWE Network's closure, this occasion became the initial one to stream via Disney+ Hotstar in Indonesia, representing a major growth in audience reach.
The event also functioned as a corporate milestone. It was the final PLE held before owner Vince McMahon, who had served as chairman and CEO since 1982, announced his retirement on July 22, 2022. Nick Khan, the WWE President, promoted Money in the Bank to a 'Big Five' annual tentpole status, placing it above the usual 'Big Four' of Survivor Series, SummerSlam, WrestleMania, and Royal Rumble. New business deals, including a collaboration with On Location for high-end hospitality options, occurred alongside this status upgrade.
On the竞技 floor, the event showcased the 'Money in the Bank' ladder match concept: a multi-person struggle to retrieve a briefcase containing a guaranteed championship match contract valid for one year. The 2022 edition saw Liv Morgan win the women's match in the opening bout and Theory win the men's match. In a notable narrative twist, Morgan cashed in her contract immediately after Ronda Rousey retained the SmackDown Women's Championship, defeating her to win the title. The event featured seven matches total, with results predetermined by writers to build storylines across the Raw and SmackDown brands.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Money in the Bank (2022)
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