Did WWE Silently Cancel Speed?
Eagle-eyed fans have recently noticed that WWE has not aired a new episode of their Twitter-exclusive show, Speed, for the past three weeks. Introduced in April 2024, WWE Speed is a unique, fast-paced program streamed exclusively on Twitter, featuring rapid-fire matches lasting just three minutes each. The purpose of these quick bouts is to showcase talent and determine spots for upcoming tournaments for the men’s and women’s Speed Championship. Currently, the reigning champions are NXT’s Sol Ruca for the women’s division and Chad Grand, also known as El Grande Americano, for the men’s division. Interestingly, the title has rarely made it onto mainstream WWE programming until recently, when Sol Ruca finally showcased it on television. Meanwhile, El Grande Americano has yet to be formally introduced on TV.
The absence of new episodes over the last three weeks has sparked speculation among fans that WWE has quietly canceled Speed. However, there appears to be no widespread outrage or disappointment over the show's disappearance. Instead, many fans have hardly noticed its hiatus, largely due to WWE’s lackluster advertising efforts surrounding the series. It almost seems as though WWE themselves have deprioritized Speed, viewing it more as a supplementary platform to give emerging stars additional ring time rather than a crucial component of their programming lineup.
Given the show's three-minute match format, it is inherently challenging for wrestlers to fully develop their characters or forge significant connections with the audience during such a brief window. For example, Candice LeRae, the first Women’s Speed Champion, never received a substantial push on television despite her accomplishments in the tournament. Similarly, Ricochet, the first-ever men’s champion, did not see his momentum carry over into larger storylines before leaving WWE last year. Other former champions like Dragon Lee and Andrade El Idolo also failed to capitalize on their titles with the push fans might have hoped for.
Speed is mostly a pre-taped show, recorded before SmackDown and then posted "live" on Twitter, which further diminishes its perceived importance within WWE's broader programming strategy. Overall, the show's quiet disappearance reflects WWE’s apparent lack of emphasis on Speed as a serious developmental or storytelling platform, relegating it instead to a quick, peripheral showcase that may or may not return in the future. While it is fun to watch incredibly fast-paced professional wrestling, the chances of it serving as a valuable tool for emerging talent to gain exposure are now lacking. Its absence raises questions about WWE’s long-term plans for the series and whether it will be revived or permanently phased out.
