WWE released a behind-the-scenes vlog documenting its 2026 European tour featuring Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, and other talent.

The tour serves as a strategic test to determine if the European market can support larger-scale productions beyond standard arena shows. By analyzing attendance and fan engagement in key cities, the company aims to expand its global footprint.

The tour included Bash in Berlin in early May, which marked the first premium live event held in Germany [2]. Following the German dates, the company moved to Italy for Clash in Italy, which took place on May 31, 2026 [1]. That specific event featured five matches on the card [3] and represented the first time WWE held a premium live event in Italy [1].

Cody Rhodes addressed the purpose of these international dates during the tour. "It's not a secret that WWE's European live events are to gauge interest in potentially bigger shows," Rhodes said [4].

The financial impact of the tour has been significant. A WWE spokesperson said that one of the events was the highest-grossing arena show ever for the company [2]. The atmosphere in the Mediterranean region also showed strong promise for future growth. "The crowd in Italy was electric, and we’re excited for what's next," Roman Reigns said [1].

Throughout the vlog, the company highlights the logistics of moving a massive production across borders—an effort that underscores the operational challenge of scaling these events. The footage provides a look at the preparation required for the premium live events and the interaction between the superstars and the local fanbases in Berlin and Italy.

“"It's not a secret that WWE's European live events are to gauge interest in potentially bigger shows."”

WWE is transitioning from a touring model based on sporadic international appearances to a data-driven expansion strategy. By utilizing premium live events in Germany and Italy as benchmarks, the company is assessing whether the European market has the infrastructure and consistent demand to support stadium-sized events similar to WrestleMania, potentially shifting the center of gravity for their international revenue.