Post by The Paragon of Hardcore on Oct 28, 2010 12:40:21 GMT -4
Something else I didn't write from PWI but insightful enough nonetheless that I thought I'd share it with you guys... Credit for this one goes to PWI writer Al Castle...
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Football season is in full swing. And if our annual "PWI Poll" is any indication, when you're not watching a wrestling pay-per-view on Sunday nights, it's a good bet many of you are watching the NFL. It's no surprise that the gridiron and the squared circle would share so many fans, considering they have so much in common- the physicality, the drama, the middle-aged stars hogging the spotlight.
Accordingly, I bring you this pigskin-inspired edition to "Quick Counts." Apologies go out to Raven, Colt Cabana, "Cowboy" James Storm, and The Patriot. I just couldn't find a way to work you in.
The Chargers
Both WWE and TNA have reportedly been wrestling with sagging pay-per-view buy rates as of late- and have blamed everything from the weak economy to pay-per-view parties. And yet neither acknowledge one obvious factor- tye are charging way too much for what they're offering.
In the past eight years, the price of a WWE pay-per-view (excluding Wrestlemania) has skyrocketed 50 percent- from around $30 in 2002 to $45 today. TNA pay-per-views have similarly soared in price over the years, and cost most viewers close to $40 these days.
It's apparent that both promotions are pricing many fans out of the marketplace and potentially driving them to competing forms of entertainment, or worse, illegal means of watching their product.
As any business does, wrestling promotions should be able to occasionally raise the price of their product to reflect the increasing cost of putting it out. But hikes the size of those we've seen in recent years not only reek of greed, but of poor business sense.
The Raiders
During the Monday Night War of the mid-1990's, Vince McMahon criticized WCW executives for swooping in and raiding his talent. Fifteen years later, McMahon may deserve some criticism of not doing much of the same.
At a time when WWE is showing a clear commitment to grooming new stars to help carry the company for the next decade and beyond, I remain puzzled why it has not scoured the locker rooms of TNA and ROH (Ring of Honor) to bulk up its roster.
Different than the supremely green rookies that fill out WWE's developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling, the wrestlers of TNA and ROH already have big stage experience and, in some cases, national name recognition.
Certainly, binding contracts may make it difficult for WWE to pluck just anyone from another company. But I have to think WWE has pockets so deep that nothing is impossible.
The Chiefs
The heads of the country's two biggest wrestling promotions took turns sticking their respective feet in their mouths recently in a pair of interviews.
On a TNA Webcast, company president Dixie Carter had a number of gems. They included talking about how- different, presumably, than WWE talent- TNA's wrestlers don't do it for "big, fat paychecks" but rather because "they love the sport."
Then, why is it, Ms. Carter, that you keep hiring and pushing ex-WWE talent?
McMahon similarly invited some scrutiny with his interview in the Connecticut Post. Among the potentially damaging comments he made was a proclamation that WWE's Wellness Policy does not have "any problems at all. None."
For his company's own good, McMahon would have been smart to concede that there is always room for improvement.
As much as we in the wrestling media appreciate the opportunity to grill the sport's most powerful figures, in the future McMahon and Carter may be wise to let their public relations people do the talking. At least they can be fired for making ridiculous statements.
The Titans
With McMahon's wife, Linda, approaching the finish line in her bid to become a U.S. Senator, it's fair to say that the one-time childhood sweethearts have become one of the nation's true power couples.
Althought it appears from polls that Linda's chances of victory in the general election are slim, the woman who most people knew for years only as the least charismatic member of the McMahon clan has solidified herself as a real player in Connecticut's political scene. That can only help her husband, who primary directive remains to keep the Connecticut-based World Wrestling Entertainment as successful and profitable as possible. It can't hurt to have a spouse in high places.
Ironically, as both Linda and Vince approach senior-citizenship, another power couple waits in the wings to someday reign atop Titan Tower: WWE Vice President Stephanie McMahon and WWE headliner Triple-H.
The Saints
It was troubling to hear the allegations recently levied by wrestling reporter Mike Aldren toward Wrestler's Rescue- the organization created to aid ex-wrestlers struggling with medical and financial difficulties.
Aldren accused the group's founder, former ECW and WWE starlet Dawn Marie, or improperly using money she raised to help down-and-out former grapplers, including the late "Dr. Death" Steve Williams. Dawn Marie has emphatically denied any wrongdoings.
Aldren's reporting raised legitimate questions about the fiscal structure of the organization- questions for which Dawn Marie may have valid answers. But what remains unquestionable is the good intentions and invaluable work being done by many of the volunteers working for Wrestler's Rescue. If nothing else, the effort has helped raise awareness of the number of former wrestling stars today battling health and financial problems.
The volunteers of Wrestler's Rescue are doing important work- work we all wish was not necessary.
The Bills
The financial situation of another, far larger wrestling organization whould also be raising some eyebrows- namely those of several TNA employees.
Dixie Carter continues to hire expensive talent that has thus far not increased TV ratings and PPV buy rates. After bringing on board Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, Jeff Hardy, Ken Anderson, Ric Flair, Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer, and several others in the course of just a few months, and getting little return on her investment, Carter brought in many more former ECW stars for August's Hardcore Justice pay-per-view.
This has to cause frustration and worry among longtime TNA originals, like AJ Styles, whos livelihoods depend on such business decisions.
TNA's bills are increasing. Its ratings are not. That's a problem.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Football season is in full swing. And if our annual "PWI Poll" is any indication, when you're not watching a wrestling pay-per-view on Sunday nights, it's a good bet many of you are watching the NFL. It's no surprise that the gridiron and the squared circle would share so many fans, considering they have so much in common- the physicality, the drama, the middle-aged stars hogging the spotlight.
Accordingly, I bring you this pigskin-inspired edition to "Quick Counts." Apologies go out to Raven, Colt Cabana, "Cowboy" James Storm, and The Patriot. I just couldn't find a way to work you in.
The Chargers
Both WWE and TNA have reportedly been wrestling with sagging pay-per-view buy rates as of late- and have blamed everything from the weak economy to pay-per-view parties. And yet neither acknowledge one obvious factor- tye are charging way too much for what they're offering.
In the past eight years, the price of a WWE pay-per-view (excluding Wrestlemania) has skyrocketed 50 percent- from around $30 in 2002 to $45 today. TNA pay-per-views have similarly soared in price over the years, and cost most viewers close to $40 these days.
It's apparent that both promotions are pricing many fans out of the marketplace and potentially driving them to competing forms of entertainment, or worse, illegal means of watching their product.
As any business does, wrestling promotions should be able to occasionally raise the price of their product to reflect the increasing cost of putting it out. But hikes the size of those we've seen in recent years not only reek of greed, but of poor business sense.
The Raiders
During the Monday Night War of the mid-1990's, Vince McMahon criticized WCW executives for swooping in and raiding his talent. Fifteen years later, McMahon may deserve some criticism of not doing much of the same.
At a time when WWE is showing a clear commitment to grooming new stars to help carry the company for the next decade and beyond, I remain puzzled why it has not scoured the locker rooms of TNA and ROH (Ring of Honor) to bulk up its roster.
Different than the supremely green rookies that fill out WWE's developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling, the wrestlers of TNA and ROH already have big stage experience and, in some cases, national name recognition.
Certainly, binding contracts may make it difficult for WWE to pluck just anyone from another company. But I have to think WWE has pockets so deep that nothing is impossible.
The Chiefs
The heads of the country's two biggest wrestling promotions took turns sticking their respective feet in their mouths recently in a pair of interviews.
On a TNA Webcast, company president Dixie Carter had a number of gems. They included talking about how- different, presumably, than WWE talent- TNA's wrestlers don't do it for "big, fat paychecks" but rather because "they love the sport."
Then, why is it, Ms. Carter, that you keep hiring and pushing ex-WWE talent?
McMahon similarly invited some scrutiny with his interview in the Connecticut Post. Among the potentially damaging comments he made was a proclamation that WWE's Wellness Policy does not have "any problems at all. None."
For his company's own good, McMahon would have been smart to concede that there is always room for improvement.
As much as we in the wrestling media appreciate the opportunity to grill the sport's most powerful figures, in the future McMahon and Carter may be wise to let their public relations people do the talking. At least they can be fired for making ridiculous statements.
The Titans
With McMahon's wife, Linda, approaching the finish line in her bid to become a U.S. Senator, it's fair to say that the one-time childhood sweethearts have become one of the nation's true power couples.
Althought it appears from polls that Linda's chances of victory in the general election are slim, the woman who most people knew for years only as the least charismatic member of the McMahon clan has solidified herself as a real player in Connecticut's political scene. That can only help her husband, who primary directive remains to keep the Connecticut-based World Wrestling Entertainment as successful and profitable as possible. It can't hurt to have a spouse in high places.
Ironically, as both Linda and Vince approach senior-citizenship, another power couple waits in the wings to someday reign atop Titan Tower: WWE Vice President Stephanie McMahon and WWE headliner Triple-H.
The Saints
It was troubling to hear the allegations recently levied by wrestling reporter Mike Aldren toward Wrestler's Rescue- the organization created to aid ex-wrestlers struggling with medical and financial difficulties.
Aldren accused the group's founder, former ECW and WWE starlet Dawn Marie, or improperly using money she raised to help down-and-out former grapplers, including the late "Dr. Death" Steve Williams. Dawn Marie has emphatically denied any wrongdoings.
Aldren's reporting raised legitimate questions about the fiscal structure of the organization- questions for which Dawn Marie may have valid answers. But what remains unquestionable is the good intentions and invaluable work being done by many of the volunteers working for Wrestler's Rescue. If nothing else, the effort has helped raise awareness of the number of former wrestling stars today battling health and financial problems.
The volunteers of Wrestler's Rescue are doing important work- work we all wish was not necessary.
The Bills
The financial situation of another, far larger wrestling organization whould also be raising some eyebrows- namely those of several TNA employees.
Dixie Carter continues to hire expensive talent that has thus far not increased TV ratings and PPV buy rates. After bringing on board Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, Jeff Hardy, Ken Anderson, Ric Flair, Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer, and several others in the course of just a few months, and getting little return on her investment, Carter brought in many more former ECW stars for August's Hardcore Justice pay-per-view.
This has to cause frustration and worry among longtime TNA originals, like AJ Styles, whos livelihoods depend on such business decisions.
TNA's bills are increasing. Its ratings are not. That's a problem.
