WWE Net smacked down, bounces back

WWE Network debuted Monday at 9 a.m. — but the streaming venture from CEO Vince McMahon quickly got bodyslammed.

Fans of WWE’s pro wrestling entertainment programming complained they couldn’t access the service via the company’s website.

The company blamed the snafu on higherthanexpected levels of traffic that overwhelmed the servers of MLB Advanced Media, which is piping the WWE Network.

“Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM), WWE’s technology partner, was overwhelmed and their systems have been unable to process most orders since 9 a.m. due to demand for WWE Network,” the company said in a statement.

“MLBAM has been working aggressively to resolve this issue,” it added.

At roughly 5 p.m., the problem seemed to be fixed, according to a WWE tweet. The company was offering a free trial week of WWE Network to fans Monday evening.

The service, provided via the Web and not via traditional payTV providers, costs $9.99 a month.

The network cost WWE an estimated $40 million to launch.

To be sure, the streaming 24/7 network template is being copied by me dia and entertainment companies large and small.

Just last week, Time Inc. announced it entered a partnership with MLBAM, the NHL, NBA and Nascar to form 120 Sports, a 24hour sports network that will stream everything but live games.

WWE shares, which have soared about 180 percent over the past year, closed down 2.8 percent Monday, to $23.99.