WWE issued a survey to a very general audience (rather than their WWE mailing list) last week gauging interest in a WWE TV Network ahead of the 2012 launch. The most interesting aspect of the survey was WWE proposing the monthly PPVs to be shifted to WWE Network as "monthly specials."
WWE isn't set on this idea internally, and the survey included an option for respondents to say whether interest in the Network would be affected if the PPVs were not included. The proposed PPV option reads:
"This network would include all of WWE’s monthly pay-per-view events to the lineup at no additional cost. Rather than having to pay for them, they would now be monthly specials with the same match quality you’re used to seeing on pay-per-view for no additional cost. These events would only be on The WWE Network."
The option is on the table because WWE would like to get to a point where they could collect enough revenue from TV Network subscription fees to replace PPV revenue, and, as the Network grows, create more revenue than the current PPV segment.
Also in the survey, WWE proposed new arena-based shows, which management talked about in the most-recent conference call with investors, that would not be Raw on Smackdown. The following items were mentioned as possible features on the Network in the survey:
-- New non-wrestling shows, repeats of Raw and Smackdown, two new weekly live in-ring shows.
-- "Classic” or “historical” programs featuring shows from different promotions (classic WWE footage, WCW, ECW, NWA, AWA).
-- Daily live in-studio "viewer interactive" show similar to SportsCenter. Also, a "Mike and Mike" style call-in show hosted by current or past WWE stars.
-- Reality show involving "former WWE stars living in a big house," and various documentaries.
-- WWE stars hosting their favorite movies, which suggests WWE obtaining the rights to air non-WWE Studios movies.
source: pwtorch.com
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September 23, 2011
Rumor Mill - WWE's New Cable Channel WWE Network Could Feature WrestleMania & More
WWE Stock Hits 52 Week Low
Shares of WWE stock closed at $8.93 per share on Thursday after hitting a 52-week low of $8.67 per share at the beginning of the day. The stock price closed at $8.83 per share Wednesday.
source: wrestlezone.com
Paul Levesque's WWE Executive Team Bio
Paul “Triple H” Levesque was named Executive Vice President, Talent in 2011. In this role, he oversees the talent relations and talent development departments, training of WWE Superstars and Divas, and management of worldwide recruitment. In addition to his talent duties, Levesque has continually had an integral role behind the scenes, as a director and producer he works to shape the creative direction and storylines of WWE’s programming.
Levesque debuted as a WWE Superstar in 1995 making him one of the most prolific performers in WWE history. Also known as “The Game,” and the “King of Kings,” Levesque was a founding member of the popular faction — D-Generation X — a pop culture phenomenon throughout the last two decades. He is the national spokesperson for Muscular Dystrophy’s “Make a Muscle, Make a Difference” campaign. On WWE programming, he has captured every major championship, headlined thousands of WWE events, and entertained millions around the world. Outside of WWE, Levesque’s charisma, professionalism and unparalleled commitment to excellence have propelled him into starring roles in commercials, television programs, the talk show circuit, feature-length films and as author of Make the Game: Triple H’s Approach to a Better Body.
Update on Abdullah the Butcher Hepatitis Lawsuit
MacLeans.ca featured a piece on the lawsuit brought against WWE Hall of Famer Abdullah the Butcher by Canadian wrestler Devon Nicholson (aka Hannibal), who has alleged that Abby passed on Hepatitis C by blading Nicholson without his consent.
According to the piece, Abdullah's lawyers recently filed a response in court, noting that Nicholson was the promoter of the event in question and Abdullah was simply following his orders.
Abdullah, who has yet to provide a blood sample to prove he doesn't have the disease, also noted that if he is carrying Hepatitis, it's because Abdullah caught it from Nicholson.
Abdullah was interviewed in the piece, noting that he believes he was targeted because it's well known he saved his money (he's notoriously cheap and will pull anything to squeeze an extra few dollars out of those he's working for) and is set up with his restaurant while others are not as lucky.
The article also noted that Abdullah is in line for a hip replacement, but has to drop 100 lbs. first and sometimes wakes up screaming at night from the pain he's in. Abdullah has been more or less immobile in the ring in recent years and walks with a cane. There is a lot on Abby's life in the piece as well.
Nicholson is also interviewed, noting that WWE is the only place he ever wanted to go and work and now that's over. He's working as a trainer and painted it as a terrible fate "filling water bottles and training fat people" while watching his friends all move on with their dreams and careers....More?
Title Belts Are The New Sports Bling
There’s nothing quite like it. The feel of 20-plus pounds of leather and metal, draped over the shoulder or tightly snug around the waist. It’s even wife-proof.
Sure, she’ll stroll into the family room, as you sit there watching television, feeling like a king in his throne. She’ll flash that look of disdain in your direction, pausing for a moment afterward to finally ask, “Why are you sitting on our couch with a championship belt on … what exactly are you the champion of?’’
Of course you have the answer. You’re the champ.
You hit the mute button on the flat screen, look her in the eyes, and calmly reply, “I’m the champ of being me.’’
Welcome to my mid-life crisis.
It’s all about “The Belt’’ these days. Or as the people at the WWE will constantly correct you on, “It’s a title. Belts are what you buy at the store to hold your pants up.’’ Semantics won’t change what’s going on in the culture of sports.
There’s Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has done for the “Championship Belt Touchdown Celebration’’ what former Michigan great Desmond Howard did for the “Heisman Pose.’’ The gesture is simple, yet catchy. Rodgers scores? The hands drop down to his waist, and are pulled back simultaneously, gesturing to the crowd place belt here. Bears fans have seen it a few times, and might get another look at it on Sunday when the Packers travel to Soldier Field.
So when the Packers and Rodgers won Super Bowl XLV last season, what rested comfortably over the shoulder of Rodgers in almost every photo op? A championship title....More?
source: suntimes.com
WWE No Longer Showing Superstars Online
At least for now, WWE has discontinued airing the weekly Superstars show online due to low traffic. The show will continue to be taped for international distribution as part of WWE's international TV contracts. After a two-year run on WGN, the show was moved to WWE's website on Thursdays, but WWE has not released this week's episode and has removed virtually all references to Superstars on their website. The show will be kept alive for international distribution, but WWE said in their most-recent conference call with investors they would like to find a new TV home for Superstars by the end of the year. If not, the show will likely return on the WWE TV Network in 2012.
source: wrestlezone.com
Rumor Mill - WWE Trying to Get Mileage Out of Sin Cara vs Sin Cara Rivalry
According to F4Wonline and Wrestlezone, a match between the two Sin Cara's is being planned to take place at the Hell In A Cell ppv.
Apparently, this will not be a one time deal. WWE is expecting to "get some miles" out of rivalry and the entertainment the matches could provide. Sin Cara vs Sin Cara is also being advertised to take place when the WWE goes to Mexico City for SmackDown tapings.
WWE Considering A Cooking Show With Big Show & His Wife
WWE sent out a survey yesterday to seek fans interest on a potential cooking show with The Big Show and his wife Bess. The description of the show reads like this:
"How do you handle a hungry man? Just ask Bess Wight. Her husband is Paul “The Big Show” Wight, WWE Superstar and the world’s largest athlete! “Show” is seven feet tall and 425 pounds…
Bess is bodacious, beautiful, and one big time cook! And if you think The Big Show is tough, you haven’t met his wife! Bess and Show are about to give viewers an all-access pass into the controlled chaos that is their kitchen.
You’ll meet their friends, their families, and even some of Big Show’s fellow WWE Superstars – you never know who will stop by their house to whip up something delicious! Once you see this larger than life couple in the kitchen, we know you’ll be hungry for more!"
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to Matt Hardy
September 23, 1974
Kurt Angle defeated Steve Austin for the WWF(E) Heavyweight title and Christian defeated Edge for the WWF(E) Intercontinental title.
September 23, 2001
September 22, 2011
DGUSA Star Works WWE Superstars Taping
Johnny Gargano of Dragon Gate USA worked the Smackdown taping last night, wrestling Brodus Clay on an episode of WWE Superstars.
Gargano, who is under contract to DGUSA, worked the taping with the blessing of the promotion. DGUSA has shown in the past they are willing to release contracted talent (Jon Moxley, who is now in WWE developmental as Dean Ambrose) if WWE wants to sign them.
