WWE Distributor Reportedly Restricting Las Vegas Businesses From Showing WrestleMania 42

Businesses in Las Vegas are being told they will be unable to broadcast WrestleMania 42 even if they pay the licensing fee, according to a new report. WrestleMania is back in Las Vegas this year, taking place once again from Allegiant Stadium. It is common practice for venues that pay licensing fees to show the PPV for patrons, and over WrestleMania week, this often involves talent hosting the watchalongs. However, Fightful Select reports that this may not be the case in Vegas this year.

According to the report, the distributor of the WrestleMania broadcasts has told several establishments in Las Vegas that they will not be able to show the broadcast even if they do pay the licensing fee. The locations were told that this is a new policy put in place for businesses within 50 miles of the event in order to increase ticket sales. It has been reported that ticket sales for WrestleMania 42 are behind where they were last year, though the report by Fightful Select doesn’t say if this is a factor in the decision.

The matter is coming up against a number of wrestling talent, who have already agreed to deals to host WrestleMania watch parties. According to one source familiar with the matter, they felt like this undermines the notion of WrestleMania coming to Las Vegas in order to boost the city’s tourism industry.

One source who is tied to a venue noted that while some smaller operations might try to bypass the rule in Las Vegas, doing so would affect their business in broadcasting UFC events, which brings in a lot of money. WWE did not respond to requests for comment from Fightful about the story.