Did your cable systems have PPV authorization messages for WWE PPVs?

[Frank Gannucci]

Mine did up until 1993. This was during the era when cable systems scrambled PPV channels. I am thinking they stopped this because the messages preempted PPV movies which in turn costed them $$$. Another reason could be that the messages when viewed through a scrambled picture was misleading. People thought that they were able to watch the event without having to call the 1-800 number for the event only for them to realize at the last minute that they had to. I have the WWE Royal Rumble 1993 with the authorization message but I can’t find my DVD anywhere. I used to have my original VHS recording of WWE Summerslam 1992 with the authorization message but when I dubbed it to DVD, I decided not to record it and I sold my VHS copy. So, this will suffice.

The authorization messages would look like this so to speak. These were taken from my cable system when I lived in Northern NJ. The cable system at the time was known as UA Columbia of Northern NJ. substitute the ads with the authorization message.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOvNEvAdvBw

In late 1993, for a very brief time until they stopped doing this, the authorization messages would look like this so to speak. By this time, my cable system was known as TCI of Northern NJ. Substitute the ads with the authorization message.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4r0GlWXQ3s

[Frank Gannucci]

My Royal Rumble PPY copy from 1993 was found. Here's the authorization message.

[Dead2009]

I never got a message like that but I do remember getting them over the phone and then the channel the show was on would suddenly start.