The Wrestling Thread is a Figment of Its Own Imagination

[sweetre15]

If ROH struck gold by getting a National TV deal with someone like Viacom or TNT while simultaneously getting CM Punk to return to ROH while they have AJ Styles and Chris Hero.....And maybe by pure luck getting Gabe Sapolsky to return as booker then they could definitely pose a threat once Vince pisses the world off lol.

 

[Slushy]

They have to be trolling us. That would be the dumbest thing ever.

That's never stopped Hunter before.

 

[venom892]

Triple H beating Bryan at WM would bury the company. I hope they aren't that clueless.

 

[Pink Ranger]

While I can understand the belief that kids and families generate the "most income" for the WWE, appealing to only one type of audience is NOT good for ANY business. If WWE made a product that had a little something for ALL WALKS OF LIFE then the product would have maybe just as many fans behind it as it once did.

I imagine most of the posters here would agree with you, myself included. However, to play devil's advocate, you could also argue that doubling down on one market segment also makes business sense; by making the show more accessible to kids and families, then theoretically more kids and families who have stayed away from the WWE will become new customers, and then completely eclipse the loss you suffer even if every last smark fan abandoned the WWE.

 

[sweetre15]

I imagine most of the posters here would agree with you, myself included. However, to play devil's advocate, you could also argue that doubling down on one market segment also makes business sense; by making the show more accessible to kids and families, then theoretically more kids and families who have stayed away from the WWE will become new customers, and then completely eclipse the loss you suffer even if every last smark fan abandoned the WWE.

But notice though that a lot of children tend to like things that aren't BLATANTLY "kiddie". A lot of kids were watching Attitude, listening to more "gangsta/edgy" rappers, watching Batman, Gargoyles, and Dragonball Z while playing Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter the next day when I was a kid.

We even see this now because kids tend to like the things they are told not to like as opposed to something that BLATANTLY SCREAMS "I'm Family-friendly please watch me!!"

All they really have to do is create a product that has colorful gimmicks and storylines that go into more "realistic territory" along with things that happen to appeal to children as well. This is why kids like the new Batman, X-men, Iron Man, and even Spider-Man films because it's found a fine line where it can be just as much for adults as it is for kids.

 

[Donnie Darko]

www.isdanielbryanchampion.com

 

[Pink Ranger]

But notice though that a lot of children tend to like things that aren't BLATANTLY "kiddie". A lot of kids were watching Attitude, listening to more "gangsta/edgy" rappers, watching Batman, Gargoyles, and Dragonball Z while playing Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter the next day when I was a kid.

We even see this now because kids tend to like the things they are told not to like as opposed to something that BLATANTLY SCREAMS "I'm Family-friendly please watch me!!"

All they really have to do is create a product that has colorful gimmicks and storylines that go into more "realistic territory" along with things that happen to appeal to children as well. This is why kids like the new Batman, X-men, Iron Man, and even Spider-Man films because it's found a fine line where it can be just as much for adults as it is for kids.

True enough, although the business models are somewhat different between the WWE and these other entertainment properties.

However, basically what it boils down to is that if the WWE feels like its smark fanbase is becoming more trouble than it's worth (i.e. kids like CM Punk too, but they were not the ones chanting his name on Monday), they may deliberately want to actually drive this part of their audience away for being "brand disruptive."

I'm sure WWE hired some very expensive consultants at one point, who showed them a marketing/pricing analysis that basically told them "1 kid = 8 smarks " or something like that.

 

[sweetre15]

True enough, although the business models are somewhat different between the WWE and these other entertainment properties.

However, basically what it boils down to is that if the WWE feels like its smark fanbase is becoming more trouble than it's worth (i.e. kids like CM Punk too, but they were not the ones chanting his name on Monday), they may deliberately want to actually drive this part of their audience away for being "brand disruptive."

I'm sure WWE hired some very expensive consultants at one point, who showed them a marketing/pricing analysis that basically told them "1 kid = 8 smarks " or something like that.

Which to me is laughably preposterous that Vince would ever think that because the best type of product is one that kids like but the adults can enjoy too because kids eventually have to grow up and if Vince is too gung-ho for kids then it'll be a product that will gain and lose viewers constantly because once the kids grow up they'll also GROW OUT of liking wrestling....There's a reason noone talks about Barney the Dinosaur lol...It's demographic is too narrow.

 

[Metallo]

Triple H beating Bryan at WM would bury the company. I hope they aren't that clueless.

It would represent the biggest problems with WWE right now to a tee.

 

[sweetre15]

It would represent the biggest problems with WWE right now to a tee.

Backstage politics and stubborness.

 

[SpideyFan866]

We noted before that major WrestleMania XXX creative meetings were held over the past week with several discussions changed. While many different scenarios were brought up, at least one source in WWE creative doesn't expect a lot of changes will be made.

While it may appear they are going in the direction of Kane vs. Daniel Bryan after this week's TV shows, the source didn't expect Triple H vs. Daniel Bryan to be changed. Regarding that match, nobody within WWE expects Bryan to go over.

Regarding the recent Batista vs. Brock Lesnar teases on WWE TV, the feeling is that it was done to build to something between the two later this year

LOP

Looks like my plan to stick around until 'Mania will continued as scheduled.

 

[sweetre15]

It's becoming clearer and clearer to me that the SHH Forum's brand of "smarks" would be better at running the creative sides of things in WWE because we arent delusional and we've been watching wrestling long enough to know what it should be at it's best as well as actually knowing how to cater to multiple types of people at once.

 

[TheNextNolan22]

If ROH struck gold by getting a National TV deal with someone like Viacom or TNT while simultaneously getting CM Punk to return to ROH while they have AJ Styles and Chris Hero.....And maybe by pure luck getting Gabe Sapolsky to return as booker then they could definitely pose a threat once Vince pisses the world off lol.

I would love if ROH would land a deal with Viacom.

 

[sweetre15]

I would love if ROH would land a deal with Viacom.

It would be badass if Viacom could put them on MTV and they start getting more and more popular. Correct me If I'm wrong but didnt that spot monkey promotion Wrestling Society X get better ratings than WWECW did on Tuesday nights despite having less time?

If that's the case, imagine what a promotion like ROH could do if all the things I suggested above would fall into place.

 

[chamber-music]

I'm not sure even Vince or Triple H would be foolish enough to think having Bryan eat a pin against Hunter at Wrestlemania would be a good idea.

 

[Team Andino]

That's never stopped Hunter before.

I always hated that image of Hunter posing over a lifeless Orton, it always looks like he jacked up extra big again just to look overly muscly for this moment to pose.

 

[TheNextNolan22]

It would be badass if Viacom could put them on MTV and they start getting more and more popular. Correct me If I'm wrong but didnt that spot monkey promotion Wrestling Society X get better ratings than WWECW did on Tuesday nights despite having less time?

If that's the case, imagine what a promotion like ROH could do if all the things I suggested above would fall into place.

Or why not Spike?

 

[sweetre15]

Or why not Spike?

One Word: TNA .....lol

 

[The Sage]

The whole SummerSlam saga highlights the juxtaposition of today's more corporately tinged WWE, which is trying to capture the same success as the late-1990s Attitude Era minus the very irreverence that made it such a juggernaut. The recent real-life departure of disgruntled free spirit CM Punk is unfortunate, said Ross, considering he's what the company needs.

"This whole locker room has a different feel to it, and a different -- they're not as edgy as the Attitude Era locker room," said Ross, also the former vice president of talent relations for WWE. "They're not as competitive. I don't know that they're as hungry. But now, CM Punk is different. [Compared with] today's corporate wrestler, CM Punk is a little bit of a rogue. And I don't mean that in a negative way.

"Over the last two of three years, he's been my favorite WWE performer to watch in the ring, without question. He would've been a huge star in the Attitude Era, without question. Here's the deal: He's a very cerebral guy, who has an old-school spirit, that really cares about every aspect of the business. I think that he needed time off, ample time off, to recharge his batteries. I think he has, for lack of a better term, a major case of burnout. And I think the problem should have been recognized and addressed much earlier than letting it get to a head and him being so frustrated and such a sense of hopelessness that he decided to go home. Walking away from a problem is never a solution. Never. Solve the problem."

Ross says Punk may benefit by taking a "season" off to enjoy his native Chicago sports teams and mend his body and mind. If afterward he can't find common ground with WWE, he may not face the same dearth of alternatives other grapplers have faced.

"At some point, he is going to want to get back into a game. Where that game is, I don't know," said Ross. "Who's gonna be playing in that game, good question. But I would be surprised to see him wrestle anywhere other than WWE on any ongoing basis. But I can certainly see him, if somebody had a new promotion, and they wanted someone with a bright mind and a fresh mind, who understood the product and who could communicate well, which he can do, he might be a great fit in a new promotion: upper management, creative, working with talent. He may be perfect for that.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/pro-w...rture-cm-punk-ahead-of-one-man-show-1.6962082

 

[The Sage]

The NFL recently announced that it will begin airing football games on Thursday nights on CBS in 2014, which will create even more competition for TNA during the fall season.

The NFL is looking to draw a wider audience by placing games on broadcaster CBS, which will also be simulcast on the NFL Network. The current plans call for CBS to air eight games during the first-half of the season before NFL Network takes over with eight games during the second-half of the season.

TNA's concern is that CBS's eight-episode run will be from September to the end of October/early November, which is TNA's biggest season of the year centered on Bound for Glory pay-per-view event.

http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/393640408.php

 

[Specter313]

Now the rumor mill is saying that part of the return deal for Stacy Keibler is a Hall of Fame induction.

Only thing I have to say is: No way in hell.

She's never held a single title, at least Sunny had a stand out personality that was considered part of the teams she managed that did win, or done anything really that much of note. It's arguable to even include her in it at all, let alone before people like Miss Elizabeth, Luna, Alundra Blayze, Bull Nakano, Lita, and heck even Chyna.

 

[MMMMM...Pancakes]

The NFL recently announced that it will begin airing football games on Thursday nights on CBS in 2014, which will create even more competition for TNA during the fall season.

The NFL is looking to draw a wider audience by placing games on broadcaster CBS, which will also be simulcast on the NFL Network. The current plans call for CBS to air eight games during the first-half of the season before NFL Network takes over with eight games during the second-half of the season.

TNA's concern is that CBS's eight-episode run will be from September to the end of October/early November, which is TNA's biggest season of the year centered on Bound for Glory pay-per-view event.

http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/393640408.php

That will be TNA's final nail in the coffin, if they even make it to football season.

Personal note: I hate NFL games on Thursdays.

 

[Dr. Evil]

That will be TNA's final nail in the coffin, if they even make it to football season.

Personal note: I hate NFL games on Thursdays.

As do I, but 30 million people will watch the NFL games anyways.

 

[The Sage]

Between The Ropes interview with Jim Cornette

On his place in wrestling history:

"I would eventually like to be remembered as the second best manager ever in wrestling next to Bobby Heenan. If I could get that, I’d be happy."

On having any regrets or being too outspoken:

"I’ve been cranky with people in the past. I get cranky because I always place more importance on the quality of what I was doing because I was a fan and all performers are insecure I guess. I was always a wrestling fan. If I was allowed in this business, I wanted to get it right. I wanted to be noted for being a great whatever I was doing at the time and that was more valuable to me than money. It was never a job to me. So, I’ve probably short-changed myself but at the same time I would not have had as many of the wonderful experiences that I have had if I hadn’t pissed some of the people off I’ve pissed off."

On why there is still typecasting in wrestling when it comes to size of wrestlers and that hasn’t changed considering all of the changes in wrestling over the years:

"I don’t ****ing know what the people looking for talent are looking for these days. It’s almost to the point where I hate doing a wrestling school seminar because if I tell a guy ‘you’re great, I’d hire you in a second’ that’s the kiss of death. I look for drive and passion for the business and aptitude, a certain amount of look but a certain amount of potential also for a look that you might have. And a guy who is a natural performer in the ring. I don’t know. As I always say for the type of people who like that type of thing, that’s the type of thing those people like."

On CM Punk leaving the WWE:

"I can totally identify with CM Punk. His body is beaten up, he’s been on the road for ten years, he doesn’t live big and I’m sure he’s got more money than the federal government and he doesn’t like what they’re doing with him and he’s just tired of the whole thing and he wants to go rest. And he said at a comic convention one of these days he’s going to go buy a cabin in the middle of nowhere and we’re never going to see him again. You know, I wish I could have been like that. I said I’ve made six-figure incomes most of the last 30 years but I never made a million dollars. And guys these days can make a million dollars. If I had made a million dollars in one year, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I’d be in the castle but no one would ever see me again. All in all, ****, Punk, good for you! Go home and don’t come back until you want to. I love that. That is the greatest thing I’ve ever heard."

http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/451123-cornette-speaks-on-cm-punk-wwe-walk-out

 

[Hotwire]

PWInsider.com is reporting that plans continue to change almost daily for WrestleMania XXX. Regarding the Brock Lesnar vs. Batista interaction a few weeks ago, sources are saying that it was used to potentially build something for later this year and not necessarily for New Orleans in April. As for Daniel Bryan, it looks like Daniel Bryan vs. Kane could be a short feud that leads to Daniel Bryan facing Triple H at WrestleMania, as previously mentioned. Nobody within WWE expect Daniel Bryan to go over Triple H at WrestleMania XXX.
While there have been numerous reports, there is said to be more stability in regards to plans recently and that not much will change over the next month.

Normally I don't jump on the whole HHH buries people bandwagon but, if HHH vs. Bryan happens at WMXXX, and Bryan doesn't go over, that would be the single most disappointing match I'll have ever seen.