Ever since the rumors of WWE launching their own television network starting, the majority of fans have been eagerly looking forward to the day. I’m not in the majority. In fact, since I first heard of the plan, I’ve been firmly against it, for several reasons.
The biggest issue with the WWE Network is the probability that fans are going to have to pay to get the Network. It’s recently been “reported” that WWE is calculating between $7-$12 per month. That may, or may not seem too much depending on what part of the World you reside, or your income, but many fans still aren’t likely to pay the price to get something they can get for free, via streams, YouTube, and other online media. Classic footage is great, but why pay and wait for it to be aired when you can see it immediately online for free? Oh, and less us not forget WWE’s current 24/7 service, WWE OnDemand. OnDemand costs $7.00 per month, I know, because I have it. However, I’m only one out of well less than 50,000 fans (I believe I’ve actually seen that it was under 10,000) who are currently subscribed to the video service. While there’s some good material OnDemand, I rarely find myself watching.
Another issue with this WWE Network is the proposed shows they’re thinking of, and in some cases most likely will, air. I mentioned classic footage being shown, which is great for hardcore fans, and those that care about the past, but sadly it seems many newer fans could care less about the past. Furthermore, newer, mainstream fans, only care to watch RAW and Smackdown, mostly the prior, and the occasional ppv. Out of the hardcore/passionate fans, well for one, WWE has alienated many over the past several years, and secondly, many these are the people who know to look elsewhere for the same material.Then there’s the segment of fans who prefer to just own the dvds of older events. Why bother pay ing $7-$12 a month for only certain matches/events, when you can own whatever, full-length event you want for about $5? Here’s a question, if I provided you a place to watch old footage of let’s say…JCP from the early 1980s, for free, or perhaps an entire vintage WWF event from the ’80s, how many of you would actually take the time to watch?
Speaking of big events, the top selling ppvs are clearly the “Big Four”, Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series. WWE might give these ppvs away for free if you have the Network. Well, that’s great for those with the Network, but it’s terrible for the WWE. Fans normally pay $60 (US) for these ppvs; $7-$12 won’t cover those losses. Did I mention that WWE is actually considering having the “Big Four” only be available via The Network? So everyone who doesn’t have the Network, won’t be able to see Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, or Survivor Series.
Yet another issue for the Network is the re-airing of RAW and Smackdown. This is a lose-lose situation for WWE. Why are fans who buy into this Network, going to wait to watch RAW and Smackdown on a delay, when they can simply watch the shows on USA and SyFy the day they air? If for some chance, though, that some of these fans are ok with doing that, it hurts RAW and Smackdown’s original airing’s ratings. If I were NBC Universal, I’d be pissed off, because lower ratings means less advertising money. Speaking of advertising money, since most people won’t be buying the WWE Network, and considering the nature of the business and WWE cutting out some ppv revenue, it should be interesting to see how they finance this endeavor.
I’ve read that one of the show concepts WWE is really behind, is a recap/highlight/call-in show, similar to ESPN shows. Fans seem to be really looking forward to this idea. I think it’s interesting. There are a couple flaws, though. One, WWE had a call-in show before called Byte This, that used to air every Wednesday night, on wwe.com. It was shut down, one reason being due to fans calling in and asking non-approved questions. The other flaw is that WWE used to have recap shows and still do in some regions of the World. I specifically remember Bottom Line and Experience both airing Sunday mornings. I loved watching those shows, unfortunately, I was in the minority ( yet again). They were taken off the air here in the United States due to poor ratings.
Another proposed show that I’ve seen fans interested in, is a “Big Brother” like show, where Superstars and Divas will be forced to live together. It is an interesting idea, except for the fact that if you think top talent will be on a show like this, you’re an idiot. The only talent who’ll be on this kind of show, are those that can not get on TV, and who don’t sell house show tickets. And don’t even think of WWE actually bringing in former talent, with real problems. Why would WWE want to bring to light the issues their former talent has? That would be some lawsuits and bad media attention waiting to happen. Problem number two….reality tv is scripted, wrestling is even more scripted. Just because they have this similarity, doesn’t mean viewers like both. Take a look at wrestling’s biggest demographic (which is also the most important demographic to advertisers)…18-49 year olds. Now, do you really believe that wrestling fans, age 18-49 years, are too interested in reality television? Alright, let’s say towards the younger side, they are interested, to varying degrees. However, WWE’s demographic age average, is aging, meaning, it’s closer to 49 than 18.
WWE is also considering adding two more wrestling shows (ala RAW/SD). Oh my gosh, so many issues with this, where do I begin? Tell you what, I’m just going to make a list…
1. WWE Creative can barely write for the two shows they have now.
2. The more you have of something, the less value it holds.
3. Will these shows have their own tours? If so, production costs just skyrocketed.
4. With more shows, I’d assume more talent would be added to the roster, which will mean the roster becomes a bigger cluster.
5. Half the fanbase doesn’t even bother watching Smackdown.
6. Any of you remember what happened with ECW, Superstars, and NXT?
On to another idea of WWE’s…..a cooking show! Now, I hate to be sexist, but I don’t imagine many men in the World, especially those who are wrestling fans, are too interested in cooking.
Any attempts of airing non-wrestling shows on the WWE Network are most likely doomed to fail, as well. Wrestling, sadly, has a stench to it, that turns away people who aren’t fans. Many of those who are not wrestling fans, would likely be able to identify what “WWE” is, and thus, will most likely be turned away from a network called “WWE”.” And wrestling fans, want wrestling shows, on a wrestling network. Plus, I’d wager to bet that whatever non-wrestling shows WWE aired would be terrible. Oh gosh, they’ll probably air the WWE Films movies.
With WWE being PG rated, it should also be interesting to see what they do with classic footage, say from the late 1990s, and also what other kind of programming is aired. 2012 is an election year after all.
Don’t forget about WWE’s track record, as well: The WBF, protein shakes, energy drinks, WWF New York, the XFL, WWE Films…
As you can see, I’m not excited about the WWE Network. The idea of a network for just WWE/wrestling sounds great, and the video package for it is excellent. However, there are more flaws to this idea, than there are benefits. Flaws for WWE, and flaws for fans.
Coming 2012,
J.
@J712v2
Ringsidehustle.com 
Perhaps, the channel will have a Muppet-themed show? I seriously doubt it, but if it were true, I’d watch. Maybe, The Muppets are behind the conspiracy?
Honestly, I’m excited, but do need to know more before I would get the channel.
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TO be honest, 7-10 dollars is what you would pay for your soccer teams channel, in fact it would be around 15 dollars and I even cancelled the official channel of Manchester United. It’s not that much to ask, it is a fair price and WWE would have more to offer that a sports teams official channel. I’d pay it, it’ll be in good quality so that’s a benefit. Sure people can watch online, but for people who don’t have laptops and PC isn’t in their living room, they’d rather pay a little extra to watch classic wrestling in their TV. I have a laptop, but i’d rather watch wrestling on TV or if I recorded it.
The type of shows will be annoying like Big Show cooking, how the fuck they’ll try to get him over with a cooking show on their network IDK. But then again, i’ll be paying for the comfort of wrestling classics, doubt i’ll watch reality shows they produce.
About the PPVs, i’m sure they’ll provide it on their website, a stream.
Big Brother – Agree 100% with you on that.
About adding 2 shows. Answer this, if you were WWE creative member (Probably someday :P) and there is no one near your fan base, would you work your god damn hardest or save energy when competition does arise?
The network would be subscription, so it wouldn’t be a PG network. Like, you have to pay for it with a credit card, they can air what they like. Its just USA network and SyFy programming that WWE are PG on.
You do have an argument, not denying that. But even if there is some crap airing on it, I as a subscriber would still feel i’m getting value for money. Especially if they do that MNW weekly thing where they show 1 or 2 episodes from RAW on Nitro a week. 7 dollars is like 4 euro here. I spend around that everyday for Lunch in school or whatever. So, I just see it as well priced.
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“The Network would be subscription so it wouldn’t be PG”
-But then they’ll just get heat about what they air. Plus, parents then wouldn’t deem it “family friendly” enough.
Not sure how to answer the “would you work hard” question, because theorectically I would, however, normally my ideas just pop right into mind, so…that’s not working to hard 😛
Anyway, yes I would, because I wouldn’t want to lose half the fanbase. Besides, they do have competition now, whether they like to admit it or not; the UFC. Also, Monday Night Football takes a bite out of their ratings every ratings.
I remember just in 2005 RAW’s rating was above 4.0. Now, it’s dipped into the 2.0s.
I like classic footage as well, but we’re in the minority against the mainstream audience who only care about RAW/SD.
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The question I asked was worded kinda wrongly. What I meant to ask or say even, that creative aren’t being ‘forced’ or motivated to get maximum output, or they might not have as much creative freedom as they want. With MNF, I don’t think that would be a case that WWE would lose fans because of it, just means they’re not turning in live. For all we know, a million people could of recorded RAW on their DVR and watch it the next morning. UFC – Yea, they would be competition I suppose, not fully sure what to say to be honest.
Basically your’re saying the network so far isn’t attracting old school fans. I do agree with that, its what I think your’re saying anyway. But i’m just saying that with the 4 PPV package, it is a good deal and good price. I’d feel i’d get value for money anyway.
What WWE should do with this, is to actually interest fans who don’t watch it anymore to watch it, maybe offer a month free every now and then, or get new fans to watch it. What you said about fans now, it seems to be only what they’re attracting.
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“About adding 2 shows. Answer this, if you were WWE creative member (Probably someday ) and there is no one near your fan base, would you work your god damn hardest or save energy when competition does arise?”
Yes AB
Personaly, I dont care if you have to pay or not, I may not even watch it. Got into thinking….I may just stop watching, and leave the IWC
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If I got a cent for every time you said that, i’d have about 20 cent 😛
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Ok, let’s see here now: RAW’s live rating was a 3.05 this week, with a 4.2 million average people tuning in. If you add a million viewers, you have what, somewhere between 3.05-3.5? I know it’s no higher than that. Compared to MNF’s 10.2 rating. So, I really don’t see the DVR thing being too significant here.
As far as Creative goes, how on Earth, with dwindling ratings and buyrates, could they not be motivated?
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They could be motivated, but I’ve heard HHH on the radio say that Vince will tell creative one thing, then a couple weeks later, he changes his mind.
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My point being, just because people aren’t tuning in Live, doesn’t mean they’re not watching it. We couldn’t possibly know how many people just watch it on YT or have it recorded which don’t count if they are not tuning in for ratings.
Waht Capt. Said, they could have an idea and they bring it to Vince and the whole angle could change. We don’t know what goes on back there. So, can’t really comment.
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I remember when they had Vince blow up in the limo, but they had to change it after the whole Benoit mess.
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Basically, now you’re saying that the number who watch online are so significant that it’s impacting show ratings. So, we can assume that these people won’t be subscribing to the Network then.
We know this is true about the ppvs, with more and more people steaming. If they’re already streaming, why dish out $7-$12 for access them?
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It sounds like they just keep adding and replacing creative guys. I don’t think adding 2 more shows would do the WWE any good that’s for sure. It would for sure kill the motivation.
This network has potential to be huge or be a huge mess. I just hope they do something decent with it. I wouldn’t mind seeing any type of wrestling related shows no matter how shitty they are, as long as they have something to do with wrestling. I don’t want to see other type of programming on WWE network. I’d rather watch Big Show cook then have a horrible infomercial about dying children. lol.
Good points on the charging aspect, too. I guess I wouldn’t mind paying that at all, as long as there was some motivation. I don’t like the idea of putting PPV’s solely on the network. Maybe old free for all type things would work.
I do think they will need some sort of network exclusive show, in order to make the network work.
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I’ve read they want to have WWE Films be a big part of the Network. If true, the films are wrestling related, right? Lol
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A Punk/Cena buddy comedy!!! Make it happen, WWE!
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@ Capt. Yeah, I know that creative has a tight leash, I just like giving Ray a hars time lol
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I stated my view on this subject already but I love your article and your certainly not the only one who is not happy with this net work. WWE gets enough of my money, i’m not going to pay for a network when I can own dvd’s for life.
This network wont last. They should have given it for free but they have to make money some how right?
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I don’t get DVD’s, so maybe there is a market for people like me who just want to browse the channel?
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This is it exactly, I wanna watch wrestling at a reasonable price on my full HD TV! And this network seems like a great price so is why i’d pay for it.
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If you get the network, you wouldn’t be spending as much with the 4 big PPV package. Of course they gotta make money, its good for employees, economy etc. Its all in the hope of getting fans back into it IMO with what they are doing with the 4 PPV package.
Would you give a network away for free? I sure as hell wouldn’t. You get a big pay check or profit, economy benefits more tax revenues, fans would get a quality (hopefully) network for reasonable price. Everyone wins.
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yea…check out OWUR the site was wiped clean. But really, I just role play now
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There’s Free Streams, which I use…
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Well that’s stealing, but I get its unfair to ask people to pay 60 dollars for 2 PPvs in the same month.
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You scalawag!!!
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Yes, i’m saying that. The online community probably 60% of them stream, but this package 7-12 dollars is a good price, and I don’t think people would feel that is a rip off and will see it as a fair price, what will attract people IMO is the big 4 PPVs. They are the PPVs that ‘part’ time fans always wanna see. I give an example, my cousin (in his 20s) likes WWE, he’ll watch the Rumble every year, it’s the only PPV he’d watch, that costs 21 Euro, the equivallent to 30 dollars. The network would cost according to figures we assume so far would be about 4-5 euro a month. I know for a fact he’d highly think about getting it in for that price and it would encourage him to watch WWE more. I see it like that. He wouldn’t have to look for good streams, he’d have it picture perfect quality to watch in his living room. Or, he’ll just scab it off me like every year ! lol But, he would be interested in getting it in regardless if that offer was there.
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You didn’t answer the question; why would this significant number of people who are streaming for free, pay to see the same sh!t product?
Better quality? No. If people wanted a higher qaulity, WWE wouldn’t only sell Blu-Rays of the ppvs in Europe. The Blu-Rays only cost about $5 more, yet American wrestling fans don’t buy them, hence why WWE doesn’t sell then here.
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Because its a low price, it would be tempting for them. Its easy to say now that your’re not buying it, but once it comes to the time its out, your opinion might change. People could be praising it, so makes you more inclined to get it. Its juts at a reasonable price, it would save me a lot of money anyway. I get half PPVs for free anyway and I only usually actually bought the big 4 PPVs, which i’ll get for free if I buy the monthly subscription. News site on the internet charge more montly that what WWE will be. The WrestlingObserver charges 11 dollars a month, .NET charges 8 I think, PWtorch charges 10 as well. Overall i’d say there is about 2000 people with all those sites who pay for them. They’re the ones who probably stream PPVs, they’d be inclined to get it.
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The $7-12 is for a package deal. Kinda how you pay $10 more a month for 9 HBO channels. I assume WWE network will be in a sports or premium package like that. It’s impossible to pay for just one channel. They are sold in packages.
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$5 is a smaller difference than what this Network will cost.
And the only way I’ll be buying the Network is if WWE moves all of their shows onto it. But now that’s kind of blackmailing fans.
2,000 fans on the IWC, compared to 5 million…oh yeah, this Network is going to be a huge success!
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I wasn’t saying it like that, i’m just giving an example the type of people that will spend their money on wrestling websites but still yet stream them would be inclined to buy the network. 2000 is nothing, I know that, again just giving an example. Could be wrong, though. But IMO they would all buy the network.
But when the word gets out of twitter/FB etc people tweeting about it is advertising really. For instance, if you see all your timeline tweeting about how great it is, you do wanna know what its like, even if you have to pay for it. So you would be interested in buying it.
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Ok, so you believe that people who are so into the IWC that they not only stream, but pay for dirtsheets, are going to pay to see footage they already know where to get?
If people thought access to WWE 24/7 was so cool, and wanted to watch classic footage is awesome, why do more not subscribe to WWE OnDemand?
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Its the price its at is what i’m debating. Like, i’m sure most people could afford 7 dollars a month to watch WWE. The 4 PPV packages make it interesting not to buy. IDK this will either be a hit or miss.
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OnDemand is $7 a month, and offers classic footage, the MNW, old ppvs, new ppvs from this year, Roundtable Discussion with legends, and some DVDs. Yet, a miniscule percentage of fans have it.
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I don’t know much about that, people probably rather watch stuff on their TVs, its more convenient. Like, I know for sure i’d rather watch most things on TV. People could have old PCs and streams are slow to get demand, IDK, everyone is different.
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It’s on both TV and online.
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Oh its not on in Ireland or UK anyway so I wouldn’t see any ads for it or anything. I remember I had to stream RAW few weeks back and the WWE ads themselves on the show were different than UK.
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Ha, watch this Network not be available in Europe either. Which, I could totally see being the case to start out
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WWE have a 5 million euro contract with Shy broadcasting for another 3 years, so i’m not sure what the story would be. I’m looking forward to it 😛
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Yeah,I’ve gauging by your debate,I figured you were excited. You know, many people were excited about Hogan signing with TNA( not me), and we see how that has turned out.
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I wasn’t excited for Hoganin TNA anyway, I was interested to see his debut and that was it really. That was never going to work.
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But my point is, many believed Hogan would be good, while I knew it wouldn’t be. I’m making WWE Network my next prediction, predicting it’ll be a huge flop.
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Here, in Louisville, we had OVW. WWE owns their library, so they could put older footage on the station for people who would like to see Cena, Batista, Orton, Santino, Punk, Cody, Kofi, Beth, etc. before they were stars. That’s another type of fan who might buy the channel.
Now, think of all the other libraries they own and what types of shows they could put on there.
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And here in Florida we have FCW, which I enjoy more than Raw most weeks.
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Good point.
J – I’m not saying your’re wrong, but WWE Imagine have been planning this for at least 2 years, they would of done their howework.
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Just like they would’ve done homework on the XFL, Films, WBF, etc?
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XFL had started to become better and the ratings had started to improve by the end of the season. If it had not been taken off the air after that one season, I can picture it still being around.
The movies started out fairly well. THe WWE’s main problem is they have it in about 10 theaters for a week and then put it on DVD 3 weeks later. There is no real reason for fans to see the movies in the theater and WWE loses a good 10-20 million each time. Back when Marine, See No Evil(I still wish they called it “Eye Scream Man”!!!), and 12 Rounds were released, they turned a profit.
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How do you know it’s going to be the same situation?
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If it quacks like a duck….
Their track record should be a glaring reason. Then add all the other reasons I highlighted.
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I’m not saying your’re wrong. I’m just saying IF it is available in UK for around 5 euro, I will get it. It’s a fair price in my eyes.
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The movies did not start off well. Granted “The Condemned” had an interesting concept, but “See No Evil” was just a rip off of SAW/Chainsaw Massacre, and “The Marine” was terrible.
The reason the movies are only released to so few theaters, is because the profits for the first few were bad. They had to come up with an idea to try to curve their losses.
They’re movies are cheesy, cliche, just plain bad.
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They were more profitable back then.
I forgot about The Condemned, but it just looked “cheap”.
See No Evil is similar to other horror flicks, just like almost every movie is similar to other movies as well. I found it to be kinda fun. Stupid? Yes. But I enjoyed myself and so did the crowd.
Nobody trashes The Marine! Nobody!!! I thought it was fun as well. Robert Patrick was a blast in that movie. “Cheesy” and “cliche” don’t nessessarily mean boring. I guess people just have different sensibilities.
I will say this for the newer movies, they seem to have better casts.
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Steve Jobs has died.
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I wrote this article on a Mac, and this comment via iPhone.
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He really did change the world.
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Oh shit I didn’t check for 2-3days and there’s 51 comments? J you better start charging 20$ an article. LOL!!
So if the new WWE films guy is going to be purchasing non-wrestling related scripts and stuff, maybe the network will have movies that aren’t too horrible. Although pretty soon they will be able to have a John Cena movie marathon on the network.
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You can actually “see” Cena on the channel.
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Ohhh this could be a huge train wreck.
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I think that they may worst move by putting the talent manger as intern. They walk out
because they said they was afraid. Well you have Christian wresting John Morrison and here
comes three more wrestler beating up on John Morrison and you have Randy wresting Mark Henry and Cody comes in and beats on Randy. I don’t see any change. I think Triple H was doing a pretty good job as manger of Raw. I was hoping they didn’t put in Vickie or the Talent relation manger as intern manger. I would like to see Teddy Long or Swan Michaels as manger. The talent manger was one of them that was behind the walk out. The fifty some that walk out wants to manger it them self or be able to do what ever they want to. I think Triple H should fired all of them that was trying to get Triple H to quick. And the ones who goes to far to hurt the other wrestler. The ones that is wresting can’t wrestle without some one come in to help destroy the other wrestler can’t win a match.Unless there is odds against one wrestler they shouldn’t come in to destroy their career.I don’t think I am commenting to the right people. I wanted my voice be heard to the WWE wresting board of Raw. But couldn’t find where to go to do it. Another one I wish
they would fired is Mike Cole.He is also a trouble maker. If you know where I can voice my comments please let me know. I think we should be able to comment to the WWE Raw board. At least Triple H fired some that need to be fired. There is a lot more needs to be
fired. If he had fired everyone that walk out. Maybe they would see the light.And wouldn’t be able to wrestle any where. The other places would see that it would not be good business to hire them. The work place is getting worst instead of better since the talent manger took over.
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I cant tell if this is a joke or a legit mark….
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lol…Hey Chadam. whats up? 😛
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R-Truth?
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the wwe network better fucking be fre
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The Network will fail because the NFL channel has failed. The WWE Network is just a backup plan incase someone at USA suddenly dies and doesn’t want RAW on there anymore. Oh and the fans that want to watch old WWE programming will just do so on Youtube. If the WWE did do a network that would really divide its audience. Would you really watch 4 hours of Smackdown & RAW and 2 hours of old Nitro and 2 hours of RAW? Chances are you’d watch 4 hours of old school and not new school.
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