Damn.
Wtf I didn't even know he was having any problems. Legend.
I was coming in to post a link to this video. I'm not at all surprised.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R42JKf2k3o
This is worth the 13 minutes to watch. Goes deeper into the economics and just unnecessary cut-throat decisions made by the WWE. This wasn't about saving the company from a bad year financially, this was about keeping pre-COVID profit levels.
A lot of publicly traded companies have done this. Need to keep the shareholders happy.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R42JKf2k3o
This is worth the 13 minutes to watch. Goes deeper into the economics and just unnecessary cut-throat decisions made by the WWE. This wasn't about saving the company from a bad year financially, this was about keeping pre-COVID profit levels.
No doubt, a lot of companies have done this. And WWE has every right to do it and keep their shareholders happy. But the point is, they didn't have to. This wasn't a company that was losing money, this was a company with $500 million cash on hand, just for these types of situations. The money Vince and Linda are spending to re-elect Trump could have kept everyone cut employed for another 6 months.A lot of publicly traded companies have done this. Need to keep the shareholders happy.
What Culture's take on it.No doubt, a lot of companies have done this. And WWE has every right to do it and keep their shareholders happy. But the point is, they didn't have to. This wasn't a company that was losing money, this was a company with $500 million cash on hand, just for these types of situations. The money Vince and Linda are spending to re-elect Trump could have kept everyone cut employed for another 6 months.
Again, they can do what they want. It just continues to be a bad look for the company, and I think it's shortsighted thinking. They could have earned so much good karma with just a simple act of paying some performers to stay home. Have those staying home film some stuff for YouTube/IG/the Network. Make it a "circle the wagons" situation. Instead, its Trumpian way of thinking and doing the quickest dirtiest way to make some quick cash regardless of the carnage left. I was a hypocrite by getting the Network back for WM this year, but I'm cancelling the Network again and won't come back again. I'm still a wresting fan, but not a fan anymore of this brand.
Meh. I'm not sure how much ratings matter with the pandemic. Both shows suck. Empty arena sucks. I guess I never realized how insanely dependent the wrestling business is on a live crowd environment. Even at home watching on TV, hearing the roads of the crowd makes a huge difference. I haven't watched AEW in 4 weeks now. Gotta catch up since I have them saved to my DVR.
Its really emotional no matter what. Like some of us here I'm sure we've all dreamed or as kids played wrestled and pretend to be the WWE champ or some wrestling champ. A lot of these talents work hard and sacrifice their whole life to get that one chance. So when they win those emotions finally come out Its real emotion not predetermined. Drew McIntye admitted to breaking Kayfabe because he was so happy but he was remembering his mom who died wasn't able to even watch on TV him win the title finally.Really dumb question here..... I know these matches are predetermined, but when I see the wrestlers backstage after a WM win crying and being congratulated, I wonder is that still acting? Do only the losers know they're going to lose?
:itsstillrealtomedamnit:
Flair won to help NXT ratings. They are getting beaten weekly by AEW. Vince is running NXT now which is ashame and gonna ruin it like he did ECW now. Flair plus other names were sent down to help ratingsTo try and answer this:
Yes, I think they consider NXT an equal third brand now. The idea of "being called up from NXT to the main roster" isn't a thing now. It's still more developmental than the other two brands, but the fact that it's the only show that goes head to head with competition outside of WWE (AEW), and the fact that it's still HHH's baby and the indie's fan favorite puts it into equal footing with RAW and Smackdown.
It's your favorite indie band that is now going on tour with the established classic acts and blowing them off the stage.
The ironic thing is AEW hit jackpot when Matt Signed. They can do that type of thing now a lot. When things like the boneyard match segments are needed WWE only has The Fiend. Also WWE were idiots as the Orton Segments just put him over again before leaving. WWE was hoping Matt Would resign but like Moxley ended up playing WWE and Vince. Borash did produce the Boneyard match though. From what I heard both AJ and Mark have a good rapport with each other and Mark respects AJ and trusted him which is why he did the match.I'm not tuned into like I once was but Taker-Styles was the best stuff I've seen from a WWE match in a several years. THAT kind of stuff will draw NEW viewers. Shame they couldn't agree to new deal with Matt Hardy as is pretty obvious that Jeremy Borash (big role in Hardy Compound stuff) had a hand in that Taker-Styles match.
Obviously don't think you can do that type of match with just anyone. But also stresses the need to build characters. Outside of something involving the Fiend, I can't see any current regular performer they could do this with.
I'd MUCH rather have great taped stuff like that than live wrestling match after wrestling match. I also think you can protect older guys with takes/taped content.
From what I heard Gronk was already a huge flop. I love the guy personality and as a football player despite who he played for but he just is not for WWE. Seemed overly forced the first night as tapings went on WWE seemed to realize that.Only saw the entrance on social media, but I have already seen enough Gronk on WWE TV.
WWE is desperate they are no where near what their goal was for Subs for the network by this time They've lost a lot In ticket and marchandise from live events and ratings down. WWE from what I was told in February as late as a week before the last Saudi show the Prince had yet to pay Vince for the Show in November with the plain issues,. WWE is bleeding money.
I started posted in a message board group wrestling source news ( another dirt sheet site) and mentioned I was disappointed as the IWC we didn't do more and get up in arms how dangerous it is for Roman to wrestle right now. I've gained a lot more respect for the person behind the character over the last few months. I met a family member of Leati' who's more closer to the USOs side ( wrestler but had to quite do to cancer) from a podcast we listen too. A girl in my area has cancer and one of her goals was to Meet Dwayne The Rock Johnson her favorite wrestler. This girl is 10 yrs old btw. I mentioned something to my buddy like hey who do I go to for this sort of thing and he tells me I'll take care of it get a message to Leati'a (AKA Joe Roman) as he's closer to Dwayne then the USOs are. Well about 4 days after I sent it I see the family of the daughter posting Thank You Dwayne. He sent a 10 minute facebook video to her, gave her an apron with (Do you know what Insert her name is Cooking?) a new last top, a ton of his own clothing apparel and other goodies and said he looked forward to seeing her soon. The local county podcast I listen to I had talked to them and told them hey don't get your hopes up but I might be able to get this girl what she wants. They were all doing Promo challenges on Rock talking about the the girl and all too. I've yet to mention anything the family about me helping nor have I tweeted or IG'd Leati'a with a simple hey thank you for doing that for that little girl. However I know I made a difference and put a smile on her face. This was before all this Virus stuff started. I had so much Respect for Dwayne's family already but this was just special. When I saw his post and video to this girl I was literally in tears. COuldn't help but think would this little girl have gotten even part of her dream without my help.Roman reportedly OUT of Wrestlemania match.
https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2020/03/roman-reigns-reportedly-out-of-wrestlemania-36-match-668418/
Yeah WWE has zero interest in him at this point They want Davey Boy Jr though and that relationship with the SMith's has heeled with his British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith announced for the HoF. One of my favorite all time wrestlers next to Savage.Teddy Hart arrested for the third time this year.
He's obviously trying to catch Sunny for most times being jailed.
It's fairly true as Dwayne Johnson did most of the producing and Paige consulted on most of the film. I heard a few parts are exaggerated for Hollywood but not as bad as others. Its pretty to the book as it could be for hollywoodWatched Fighting with my Family a couple nights ago. Interesting. Anyone know how close to true that story is?
Oddly they didn't include Paige's backstage escapade that was captured on video.
My sources and my co worker who does some production work as an extra when they come to Philly was surprised but now that I heard Roman won't be competing the rest of this year until its safe possible it makes sense and why WWE never mentioned during Mania Roman's name.Still promoting Reigns-Goldberg as of tonight. I just can’t imagine what this is going to look like this weekend. How do you make this feel big?
Check out some of the other ones. The Hardys and Edge and Christin I believe was one. Theres a few others too with Lita/Trish and one other.The Table for 3 series was pretty disappointing to me. I only tried one, the Sting DDP Vader one, but that turned into propaganda pumping up the modern WWE talent. I was like WTF.
Sorry my buddy I was suspended and put in the timeout because of some enemies I created in the Covid-19 thread. Enemies that know which post to report that will get someone suspended. I hope you found a way to watch
They shake the camera since half the talent doesn't know how to fake land or sell the punches. I hate when they do chair shots as you never get a look at the actual shot just some stupid nerd camera guy shaking the camera. The cuts and shaking is nauseating and one of the reasons it was so hard to watch the Orton/Edge match.The camera shakes are equally bad.
I liked how Cena played into it. A lot of theories on this. Some of the stuff older stuff I didn't get (I stopped watching before Cena debuted and watched after Vince/Trump Mania again but went back and saw some of the highlights of the beginning of the era with Cena) but the theory is how Cena was this childhood kid who wanted to live his dream as a wrestler but Vince turned him into this brainwashed version of the new WWE Hulk Hogan. The heel turn at the end when The Fiend wins was fun and speculation he comes back heel at some point or he's done wrestling. Just comes back like Dwayne for one off camera promosCena v Wyatt was one of the best things I've seen at WM. Pretty cool that Cena bought in so completely to the story.
Not sure how a wrestling fan wouldn't like it.
edit: My bad. I posted and then remembered HHH is the golden shovel.
Going in Raw is fun for the comedy not serious stuff. Those two guys are funny and cool. DO their own WWE2k universe mode storyline on their own which is always good. Okayfabe is pretty good. I listen to Joe Cronin Podcast. He's not for everyone. You need to get his dark humor. Some of the offensive stuff is meant in jest but he's a very good mind on the actual business and Road Dogg Jesse James listen to his podcast. Famous B who was in Lucha Underground follows him and Drew McIntyre is a friend of the show too. Joe is an acquired taste so it depends what you like. Brad Sheppard on Patreon with his guy is fantastic. One of the reasons I like Joe and Brad are they pull no punches. A lot of these podcasters try to not #### on WWE (### kiss them for a job) but from my sources WWE hates people like that because these podcaster thing it'll get them in with WWE. I've been told it just makes you look overly desperate. JDFromNY if you can take the screaming is good. Him and Joe had a falling out but he's got a great mind. He does Commentary for House of Glory in NYC that is owned by former TNA X Div star Amazing Red. He also pulls no punches on WWE.What podcasts are you guys listening to on the regular? I need to do a podcast purge and add in some fresh ones.
Right now, super generic, mainstream listening with The Masked Man Show and Cheap Heat. I catch a lot of WhatCulture Wrestling on YouTube, I was in one episode one of everything Conrad Thompson was putting out, but I haven't listened in months. So, what entertaining shows are out there?
Also Jericho weekly pod is awesomeWhat podcasts are you guys listening to on the regular? I need to do a podcast purge and add in some fresh ones.
Right now, super generic, mainstream listening with The Masked Man Show and Cheap Heat. I catch a lot of WhatCulture Wrestling on YouTube, I was in one episode one of everything Conrad Thompson was putting out, but I haven't listened in months. So, what entertaining shows are out there?
The numbers on how much per month they saved is wrong from what I heardBogart said:All the money they saved yesterday, $4 million dollars (a month), equals what they paid Goldberg for Mania and Saudi shows, or one-third of a year of Brock. Just when this company can't dip any lower, they dig a new hole at the bottom of the hole and jump in.
He had cancer awhile back. Buddy of mine saw him 2 yrs ago and he was in rough shape. Told me he didn't see The Fink lasting into his 70sShamrockPride said:Wtf I didn't even know he was having any problems. Legend.
World Class IMOI haven't seen that level of Hippling in a long, long time.
Don't think AEW will be signing him. Rush has major attitude issues. He was given a 2nd chance won the CW title but I think something happened and he dropped it. No one knows but speculation was there was another incident hence why he hadn't been seen since Worlds Collide.If I'm AEW I pass on picking up Rusev immediately. JMO He'll flop like Swagger and Luke Harper (sure he could always turn it around but his return has been terrible IMO). He peaked long ago IMO
Lio Rush would be the guy I'd pick up first out of all the WWE guys if I'm AEW. Fits their product and arguably the best talker of the bunch. And most importantly, wasn't destroyed by WWE creative.
EC3 may be too similar to MJF. I think he'll do fine Impact/indies. Again, I think it's to his benefit that he wasn't used regularly by WWE and their awful creative.
Tommy Dreamer made an interesting point on Busted Open Radio the other day. Whether Vince knows it or not, he just flooded the market with free agent wrestlers. After this is all over, it will be a buyer's market for some of this talent.* Vince and company are learning that it's time to stop being worried about that happening. AEW can't continue taking every C-D level guy that we let walk, especially during this time.
* I also think that can be a benefit to certain talent. They made their mind up on EC3, for example, many months ago, so why waste everybody's time.I also think that can be a benefit to certain talent. They made their mind up on EC3, for example, many months ago, so why waste everybody's time.
Also, I'm not sure C-D level talent is as big an insult as it's meant, considering the best talent WWE have been able to manufacture at any point in the past 10 years has been B level talent.Tommy Dreamer made an interesting point on Busted Open Radio the other day. Whether Vince knows it or not, he just flooded the market with free agent wrestlers. After this is all over, it will be a buyer's market for some of this talent.
I don't know if "C-D level" guy is necessarily accurate. Those guys may be "C-D" in WWE; but perhaps not elsewhere. You have to think a guy like EC3 could come back into Impact and be in the upper half of the card. JMO, some of these guys (while temporarily losing a paycheck) will be glad they're gone. Gallows and Anderson I can see going back to NJPW as the schedule and pay would work for them, as well as reuniting with Bullet Club.
Tony Kahn/AEW have previously said that they're not taking just any WWE reject. The company does need more big men, so I could see Revival coming in, but not Rusev.
Yeah that comment seems more of a Vince taking shots at the guys then anything. Maybe mid or lower mid cards in WWE but AEW or else where no. Gallows/ANderson in Japan were a top Tag Team tooTommy Dreamer made an interesting point on Busted Open Radio the other day. Whether Vince knows it or not, he just flooded the market with free agent wrestlers. After this is all over, it will be a buyer's market for some of this talent.
I don't know if "C-D level" guy is necessarily accurate. Those guys may be "C-D" in WWE; but perhaps not elsewhere. You have to think a guy like EC3 could come back into Impact and be in the upper half of the card. JMO, some of these guys (while temporarily losing a paycheck) will be glad they're gone. Gallows and Anderson I can see going back to NJPW as the schedule and pay would work for them, as well as reuniting with Bullet Club.
Tony Kahn/AEW have previously said that they're not taking just any WWE reject. The company does need more big men, so I could see Revival coming in, but not Rusev.