It looks like WWE could be making a change to the presentation of its Kickoff shows.
Kickoff shows
For WrestleMania, there is usually a two-hour broadcast, with the first hour featuring a panel discussing the matches on the card and a match or two in the second hour. Most pre-shows are one hour long, with the entire broadcast being a preview show. Years ago, when WWE was trying to get as many watch hours as possible, WWE would have several matches on the Kickoff shows.
Most of the time, the Kickoff matches were added on the day of the show with undercard talent.
Changes
Pwinsider reports the company is looking at possible changes to the format of its pre-show. They were told fans should probably expect some changes to be made sometime this year as they want to look at ESPN’s College GameDay as something of a blueprint.
They want to have “more of a live, high-energy, free-flowing discussion about the big shows that are taking place later that day and some of the big matches. They are working on some format changes.”
Since Kevin Dunn’s departure, WWE has introduced more of a sports-based presentation to its product.