You Do Your Annoying, Unorthodox Thing That You Do In The Wrestling Thread

[Dr. Evil]

WWE reported record revenue for Q2 but very little profit

2015 Q1 + Q2 profits: $24.5 million
2016 Q1 + Q2 profits: $14.7 million
2017 Q1 + Q2 profits: $6 million

Basically, a bunch of people are probably getting fired tomorrow.

6 million dollars profit on over 400 million in revenue for the whole first half of 2017.

At this point it's possible that NJPW is more profitable than WWE. Their revenue isn't even close but they do make money.

That's not good for WWE. I don't think I will ever abandon WWE unless there's another Chris Benoit like scandal. If there is another one of those though, there would be serious consequences and repercussions not just for WWE but for GFW, ROH, PWG, New Japan's attempts to expand to America, Evolve and every single American pro wrestling company. IMO, if there is another Chris Benoit/Drug Scandal in WWE, pro wrestling in North America I think will cease to exist.

 

[famicommander]

That's not good for WWE. I don't think I will ever abandon WWE unless there's another Chris Benoit like scandal. If there is another one of those though, there would be serious consequences and repercussions not just for WWE but for GFW, ROH, PWG, New Japan's attempts to expand to America, Evolve and every single American pro wrestling company. IMO, if there is another Chris Benoit/Drug Scandal in WWE, pro wrestling in North America I think will cease to exist.

That is the most ridiculously absurd thing you've ever posted.

A WWE scandal will not hurt the other promotions in any fashion. Their audiences will not care.

 

[Lobo]

I like his shirt. I've been to Tate's awesome place. (Referring to Balor on the previous page)

 

[javonstokess]

If there is any wrestler that should be rocketed to the Heavyweight title picture Jinder Mahal-style, it should be Big E. New Day is probably the most over act in the WWE. Can you imagine the pop in the building if Big E beats someone like Mahal or Owens for the title?

WWE is missing out on a golden opportunity.

 

[Dr. Evil]

That is the most ridiculously absurd thing you've ever posted.

A WWE scandal will not hurt the other promotions in any fashion. Their audiences will not care.

The mainstream will lump pro wrestling into one "roided" up stereotype and it affects business of the Indy promotions. They will urge people not to attend pro wrestling events because it's not an appropriate form of entertainment anymore.

If this happens, people will ask Dwayne Johnson and Dave Batista about it. Hell, from what I have heard, Dwayne risked his movie career when he refused to sever ties following the Benoit Scandal a decade ago.

 

[chamber-music]

The New Day did joke mention people being let in their behind the scenes video from Battleground.

 

[MMMMM...Pancakes]

Didn't know Finn liked Dinosaurs.

More like, who doesn't like a dinosaur cake?

 

[Wheels]

Brian Zane posted the first part of a two part series on his Wrestling with Wregret channel where he interviews women from the original GLOW series about the Netflix dramedy. It's worth a look.

I respect the opinion of these ladies, but I find the Netflix series' approach to be the best way to go about something like this. To me it seems more respectful to not use the real gimmicks or names of performers on the original show. Because to be honest, if they did that, then we'd end up with a Patch Adams situation where they actually use real names and misrepresent things, change male friends into a female love interest and things like that. The documentary is out there for people to hear the real story, and this series is giving the original GLOW a spotlight, and could renew interest in it and make new fans.

 

[famicommander]

The mainstream will lump pro wrestling into one "roided" up stereotype and it affects business of the Indy promotions. They will urge people not to attend pro wrestling events because it's not an appropriate form of entertainment anymore.

If this happens, people will ask Dwayne Johnson and Dave Batista about it. Hell, from what I have heard, Dwayne risked his movie career when he refused to sever ties following the Benoit Scandal a decade ago.

You seriously have no idea what you're talking about.

When the Benoit scandal actually hit it was a period of massive growth for TNA and it helped ROH get on HDNet for the first time.

WWE was the only company that suffered.

And as for the "mainstream"... they don't watch wrestling. They don't even watch WWE, let alone ROH, GFW, NJPW, or LU.

 

[Dr. Evil]

You seriously have no idea what you're talking about.

When the Benoit scandal actually hit it was a period of massive growth for TNA and it helped ROH get on HDNet for the first time.

WWE was the only company that suffered.

And as for the "mainstream"... they don't watch wrestling. They don't even watch WWE, let alone ROH, GFW, NJPW, or LU.

Maybe not, but if the WWE were to go away via a scandal, the mainstream will ask The Rock and Batista about it, due to their past associations with the company. Both of them are Hollywood actors now and odds are very high that if a major drug scandal were to destroy the WWE, both of them would be asked about it while promoting whatever movies they have to promote, which puts both in an awkward situation.

So you honestly think the death of the WWE will be good for wrestling as a whole? If so, that's good to know.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Brian Zane posted the first part of a two part series on his Wrestling with Wregret channel where he interviews women from the original GLOW series about the Netflix dramedy. It's worth a look.

I respect the opinion of these ladies, but I find the Netflix series' approach to be the best way to go about something like this. To me it seems more respectful to not use the real gimmicks or names of performers on the original show. Because to be honest, if they did that, then we'd end up with a Patch Adams situation where they actually use real names and misrepresent things, change male friends into a female love interest and things like that. The documentary is out there for people to hear the real story, and this series is giving the original GLOW a spotlight, and could renew interest in it and make new fans.

On the other hand, there are few GLOW ladies who support the series and even host the GLOW Recaps on Afterbuzz TV. The last episode had the founder of GLOW on it, David McClain.

Zane actually gave a positive review of Battleground, so there's that.

 

[famicommander]

It would be good for "wrestling" as a whole, yes. Because WWE right now is a massive, massive drain on wrestling. They hate wrestling so much they don't even allow the word to be spoken.

It's a sad day when the most visible presentation of an art form is ashamed to represent said art form.

But it isn't going to happen any time soon.

WWE is going to take 25 freaking years to finally die like Sears and Kmart.

 

[AndrewGilkison]

WWE has stayed in business through numinous scandals and challenges. That company really knows how to weather the storms. Whether its the Monday Night Wars, Vince getting put on trial for steroid distribution by the federal government, stars leaving the company, Benoit killing his family while working for the company, etc. What would have to happen to put them out of business?

 

[Dr. Evil]

It would be good for "wrestling" as a whole, yes. Because WWE right now is a massive, massive drain on wrestling. They hate wrestling so much they don't even allow the word to be spoken.

It's a sad day when the most visible presentation of an art form is ashamed to represent said art form.

But it isn't going to happen any time soon.

WWE is going to take 25 freaking years to finally die like Sears and Kmart.

The World won't be around in 25 years anyways.....

 

[Dr. Evil]

WWE has stayed in business through numinous scandals and challenges. That company really knows how to weather the storms. Whether its the Monday Night Wars, Vince getting put on trial for steroid distribution by the federal government, stars leaving the company, Benoit killing his family while working for the company, etc. What would have to happen to put them out of business?

Nuclear War.

Anyway, the Summer of Hell 2007, which was Benoit and the whole drug scandal afterwards almost killed them. I wonder if there was any pressure at the time for Stone Cold to cut all ties with WWE like there was with the Rock? I'd be curious to see if Austin was ever pressured to cut ties with the WWE around that time. The Rock didn't and it almost cost him.

 

[famicommander]

Same old NWA-TNA/TNA/Impact/Global Force Wrestling:
-Bound for Glory 2017 will once again be at the Impact Zone. There were plans to take it on the road but I guess they didn't pan out.

-The GFW live event in Bridgeport on August 6 has been canceled. Anyone who bought tickets to it will be refunded and also receive free tickets to either of the August 4 or August 5 shows in New York.

 

[Dr. Evil]

 

[Dr. Evil]

More like, who doesn't like a dinosaur cake?

As long as it's chocolate cake, I would love it.

 

[Dr. Evil]

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Dr. Evil]

So it looks like Renee Young will be on both Raw and Smackdown as she was this past week.

 

[TheFuture]

Nuclear War.

Anyway, the Summer of Hell 2007, which was Benoit and the whole drug scandal afterwards almost killed them. I wonder if there was any pressure at the time for Stone Cold to cut all ties with WWE like there was with the Rock? I'd be curious to see if Austin was ever pressured to cut ties with the WWE around that time. The Rock didn't and it almost cost him.

I wouldn't say it nearly killed them. Vince had to take the product in a much more steralised direction to probably satisfy stakeholders, but even if they lost a tv deal for example, they would have found a home elsewhere. I was only half watching/not really watching at all back then but I can't recall ever thinking they were in serious trouble due to these scandals.

From what I remember Rock did more or less give the company a wide berth for years as well.

 

[RetroNaz]

What would it actually take to make WWE (or wrestling) popular with the mainstream audience again though? Or does everyone think that's something we won't ever see again?

Difficult to tell I guess.

NXT has probably been the best wrestling WWE has put on in an extremely long time. The Cruiserweight challenge, ditto. But if they migrated that model to RAW and Smackdown does anyone think it would actually expand the audience? Or just better appease the current wrestling fans?

 

[Lantern Venom]

Nuclear War.

Anyway, the Summer of Hell 2007, which was Benoit and the whole drug scandal afterwards almost killed them. I wonder if there was any pressure at the time for Stone Cold to cut all ties with WWE like there was with the Rock? I'd be curious to see if Austin was ever pressured to cut ties with the WWE around that time. The Rock didn't and it almost cost him.

Debra did several mainstream media interviews in '07 and not only said that Steve's abuse of her was habitual, but she correlated his erratic moods with steroid use. She said at one point that Steve beat her so badly that she though she was going to die. Had Austin tried to sever ties with WWE, it could have backfired. It might well have given Debra's comments more of the spotlight and served to remind the public that Austin was a wife-beater. He had no options other than to stay as silent as possible.

 

[Ultron]

What would it actually take to make WWE (or wrestling) popular with the mainstream audience again though? Or does everyone think that's something we won't ever see again?

Difficult to tell I guess.

IMO...the Attitude Era was something special, but at that time it was shock value that grabbed the main stream audience. D-X and their controversial antics, The Ministry (crucifying people), The Nation of Domination (racist overtones, hell they held Chyna down as the Rock acted like he was going to kiss her), The Oddities, Val Venis, GTV, the racist stereotypes like Kai-In-Tai (spelling)...and Stone Cold/McMahon, I just watched the clip where Stone Cold put a gun to Vince's head (even tho it did say "Bang 3:16"). At the same time South Park was also at an all time high and was super popular. It was a different time where nothing was sacred, nothing was off limits it seemed like.

We live in an era now that is super PC, as a whole. Everyone worries about offending someone. The smart business move is to not offend and be steady or safe. None of what I listed would fly these days on TV. Hence the "PG era" WWE is in now. I'm not saying that PG is at fault for where WWE is now, but my point is that people used to tune in to see what crazy stuff would happen next. More people/friends would hear about it and tune in next week. That shock value was off the charts.

I watched from 1996-2001/2? I started watching again a year ago. The program now is typically not very good and predictable. Every week on Raw the order of events is the same and the main events seem stale (not all). They can't make stars like they used to. I enjoy it to a certain degree, but that isn't saying much. I don't see it ever being mainstream again. Vince had the magic touch and I don't see that happening again.