Former WWE writer Larry Mollin shared unique insight into WWE's attempt to be an entertainment company, but not having the system in-place to execute it during an interview on Dave Lagana's "I Want Wrestling" podcast series. (IWantWrestling.com to download the podcast.)
Mollin, in his mid-60s and with a strong resume of industry experience, painted a picture of WWE trying to be like a Hollywood production with their weekly TV shows, but not having the infrastructure, discipline, or long-term planning to achieve that goal.
Mollin, whose chief experience was executive producer on "Beverly Hills: 90210," said the staff on 90210 had their own "WrestleManias" building to specific episodes during sweeps periods, but they planned those out and filmed the episodes months in advance.
Whereas, Mollin shared that WWE - as a self-described entertainment company trying to be like a Hollywood production - tries to get from WrestleMania to WrestleMania as part of their seasonal structure, but the lack of long-term planning undercuts the process.
May 22, 2011
WWE Creative Insight: Former Writer Describes Pitfalls of WWE System vs. Actual TV Industry, Working With McMahon, Cult-Like Environment
WWE Over the Limit PPV Results 2011
WWE Over the Limit starts with Randy Savage "In Memory" graphic.
Rey Mysterio vs. R-Truth
Winner: R-Truth
Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett vs. Ezekiel Jackson
Winner: Wade Barrett(c)
Sin Cara vs. Chavo Guerrero
Winner: Sin Cara
WWE Tag Team Champions Big Show & Kane vs. CM Punk & Mason Ryan
Winners: Big Show & Kane(c)
Divas Champion Brie Bella vs. Kelly Kelly
Winner: Brie Bella(c)
World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton vs. Christian
Winner: Randy Orton(c)
Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole (Kiss My Foot Match)
Winner: Jerry Lawler. Bret Hart makes an appearance and puts Michael Cole in the sharpshooter.
WWE Champion John Cena vs. The Miz (“I Quit” Match)
Winner: John Cena(c)
ROH Available on Baltimore Stations in September
After the sale of Ring of Honor to Sinclair Broadcast Group, we will now be able to see ROH on Baltimore stations WNUV Channel 40 (CW) and WBFF Channel 45 (Fox).
Sinclair Broadcast Group
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to Brian Pillman
May 22, 1962
Chief Jay Strongbow & Sonny King defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna for the WWWF(WWE) Tag Team title.
May 22, 1972
Lex Luger defeated Michael Hayes for the NWA U.S. Heavyweight title.
May 22, 1989
Vince Russo strips Ric Flair of WCW World Title, awarding it to Jeff Jarrett.
May 22, 2000
May 21, 2011
Complete Details on Ring of Honor Sale and TV Deal
Ring of Honor Wrestling owner, Cary Silkin, announced today the sale of the promotion to Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., one of the largest television broadcasters in the country and which owns and operates, programs, or provides sales services to 58 television stations in 35 markets across the United States.
ROH, currently the third largest wrestling promotion in the country, just celebrated its ninth anniversary, and Mr. Silkin is excited about taking the next step towards increasing the company's visibility and expanding its operations.
"We have been waiting for and working for this opportunity for quite some time", he said, "and of our 9 years in business, there has been no better roster of wrestlers than this one to expose the ROH product to the masses. With Sinclair's resources and many avenues of distribution, we believe many new fans around the world will be as captivated as those who have followed Ring of Honor over the years."
Update on the WWE/Road Warrior Animal Situation
Wrestlezone.com is reporting that at TNA's house show event in Amsterdam, NY, Road Warrior Animal and Paul Ellering made a surprise appearance as inductees into the 10th annual Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame along with Nick Bockwinkel, Billy Robinson, JJ Dillon, Dick Whoerle, Larry Sharpe, Ray Apollo, (yes, dressed as Doink, surprisingly) Butcher Vachon, Pete Sanchez, Intelligent Sensational Destroyer and Dominick DeNucci.
As previously reported, Animal was pulled from this weekend's WWE House Show events in Canada due to the perception that he took a shot at the WWE Wellness Policy during a recent interview.
According to several backstage sources in TNA, Jeff Jarrett and other officials were elated that they "stole" Animal and Ellering away from WWE and feel that they've "one-upped the competition."
Road Warrior Animal, real name Joe Laurinaitis, is the brother of WWE Vice President of Talent Relations Johnny "Ace" Laurinaitis, and news of Animal appearing at a TNA live event surely will not sit well with WWE management.
The move by TNA to bring in Animal and Ellering is the second of two recent shots the company has taken at WWE, with the first being the move to purchase billboard space in Stamford, CT, the home of WWE headquarters.
Photos
Low Ki Re-Emerges as a Major International Star; Details
"After spending 2 years in The Land of Make Believe, it felt great to be back in the real world, where people can value true skill!"
So said perhaps the most controversial independent wrestler of the past decade, Low Ki, who spent two years in the WWE system as "Kaval."
The globally-respected cruiserweight (or "Junior Heavyweight" in Japan) returned to the spotlight during New Japan Pro Wrestling's Northeast United States Tour last week, where "The World Warrior" scored a major victory by pinning Tiger Mask during a tag team match on the 1st night of the tour.
Ki teamed with former TNA standout Homicide to defeat Tiger Mask and the legendary Jushin "Thunder" Lyger. At the 10:41 mark into the match, Ki pinned Tiger Mask after nailing a picture perfect Ki Crusher.
This, of course, puts him in line for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, which he proudly held as the 55th champion from September 2008 to January 2009. "It's my goal to be champion again," Ki stated this afternoon, "I want to be a champion that goes down in history for bringing the most honor and prestige to the title! It's the champion who makes the championship, not the other way around!"
source: wrestlezone.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Wahoo McDaniel defeated Sgt. Slaughter for the NWA U.S. Heavyweight title
May 21, 1982
Triple H defeated the Rock for the WWF(E) Heavyweight title
May 21, 2000
Chris Benoit & Chris Jericho defeated Steve Austin & Triple H for the WWF(E) Tag Team title
May 21, 2001
May 20, 2011
Road Warrior Animal Pulled From WWE Live Events
WWE Hall of Famer Road Warrior Animal was recently pulled as the upcoming host of WWE Raw live events in Canada due to the company perceiving comments he made during a recent interview as a shot towards the Wellness Policy. In a new interview with KFAN.com, Animal said that his comments were taken out of context by a professional wrestling website and used erroneously for the website's own gain. He went on to say that he has since smoothed things over with WWE, however will not be appearing at the live events in Canada.
source: wrestlezone.com
