Inside WWE’s Next Chapter: Big Four Aren’t Going Anywhere — Mark Shapiro Clarifies Future Of Major PLEs
For fans fearing the end of WWE’s most legendary Premium Live Events — take a breath. WrestleMania, the Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam are here to stay.
Recent comments from TKO President Mark Shapiro sparked widespread panic online after he discussed WWE “moving past” events created by Vince McMahon during an appearance on The Main Event with Andrew Marchand. Many took that to mean the long-running classics could be retired as part of TKO’s new direction. But as it turns out, that’s far from the case.
Shapiro’s Talks, Fans’ Panic
Shapiro’s comments centered around innovation — not cancellation. He praised the creation of Wrestlepalooza, a new PLE debuting alongside WWE’s ESPN deal, calling it a “superfranchise” event that could join the ranks of WrestleMania or the Rumble in the future.
“They’re open to new ideas. They never seem exhausted. They’re ready to take on a new shot, a new risk, a new opportunity,” Shapiro said. “Right now, a lot of our PLEs were created by Vince McMahon. We need to get in the business of taking that torch and moving past that… Wrestlepalooza was a real winner.”
Despite the buzz his statement generated, Shapiro was referring to evolving WWE’s monthly schedule — not removing the company’s most profitable and iconic shows.
And while ECW fans (and Paul Heyman) may raise an eyebrow at WWE borrowing the “Wrestlepalooza” name, the event was a hit, generating strong attendance, social engagement, and massive merchandise sales.
WrestleMania & Rumble Safe, Expansion Coming
According to reports from Fightful Select, Shapiro’s vision is to add new events rather than replace the established ones.
With WWE leaning into more global shows like Clash at the Castle, Crown Jewel, and Night of Champions, the traditional U.S.-based monthly format has naturally thinned out. The new direction could see WWE fill calendar gaps between Survivor Series and Royal Rumble, or between Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania, with fresh, marketable “superfranchise” events designed to attract big host-city bids and boost international partnerships.
Given how much revenue WWE now earns from location-based deals — including nine-figure payouts for Saudi Arabia shows in 2026 and 2027 — it makes sense for TKO to explore expanding the global PLE footprint.
H/T Fightful
💬 Wrestling.news | Backstage Take
WWE isn’t ditching its crown jewels — it’s polishing them. Mark Shapiro’s comments reflect the modern TKO mindset: build more brands, not fewer. Events like WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam are simply too iconic and too lucrative to risk.
If anything, we’re entering a new “superfranchise” era where WWE can experiment with fresh international events while maintaining the traditions that built the company’s legacy. Wrestlepalooza might just be the first step in expanding WWE’s global empire — not replacing its heart.
The message is clear: the “Big Four” are forever. But the door is wide open for a “Big Five” or even a “Big Six” down the line.
