Welcome to our first ever Wrestling Rambles Exclusive, we might be doing this more in the near future, will take place every once a month! In our first edition, Lucas The Menace and J712 debate over the WWE Network in 2012. Will it be a success or not? Here are the highlights!
Lucas The Menace
Okay @J712v2 asked me if I think the WWE Network will succeed, just so ya know, I said it will, but she begs to differ. She pointed out that many projects from WWE were big at first and turned out to fail, like the XFL, NXT, WWECW, WWF New York, etc.
Here’s my side of the story:
The WWE Network isn’t some sort of brand like RAW, Smackdown, NXT or Tough Enough, it is your home, it is exclusive 24/7 content of your own art, your own material, a broadcast. I find it hard to believe that it will fail seeing as how they will no longer need to rely on other channels/networks to promote their stuff, they will have the power to do that all of that on their own now. WWE Network gives them the ability to not just promote their shows, but also their WWE website which barely gets acknowledgement, they can do so much more with their network now that it won’t just have to do with being inside a ring, it will bring in new areas and new aspects to the company. And that’s what I like about it.
Now, you believe reality shows don’t work well with WWE due to their past with tough enough, NXT, etc. But the mainstream begs to differ, whether you like it or not, reality shows have taken over the world of television as that is what the current generation finds appealing, it’s an attraction. Shows like The Kardashians, Jersey Shore, Real World, etc, all make TONS of money. Now think about how much WWE would gain from this? They have a major advantage with their casual/mainstream viewers as that will bring them in to the network and they will become bigger fans of the WWE product. As a wrestling fan, you think it’s a joke but from a business stand-point, it makes sense honestly.
Take a look at some of their reality shows being planned for said network; Divas RoadTrip & Legends Show. Divas Roadtrip will bring in lots of viewership simply because it will be sex appealing to the male audience, and im damn sure most men will spend the time watching Divas get naked, or kiss, or do whatever, lol. Every man loves to see cat-fights, so this is a smart move on WWE’s part. Also, the lack of divas time on television will make up for reality show, we will see more of them on this show do on RAW/Smackdown, another reason why people will wanna watch. And then you have the Legends Show which is self-explanatory, this one will appeal to old school wrestling fans which will probably be the majority of everyone. So another thumbs up for WWE.
WWE just simply has so many advantages with this, they can do things never done before, it will be a unique experience and will bring in more of a reality aspect to their company.
J712′s respond:
WWE already offers a 24/7 OnDemand service, for the sane price as this WWE Network is supposed to be, and a very smalll percentage of the fanbase subscribes to it.
Sure, WWE won’t have to rely on other networks as much, but that subsequently means less advertising money.
And ok, they’ll be able to promote their own shows, but to who? People who already watch WWE.
Now, let’s take a look at the shows…
Reality shows will not work. For one, I don’t see the all important 18-40 male demographic being too interested in watching something like the Kardashians.Snookie was so over at WM too, right? Don’t expect sex, nudity, large consumption of alcohol, etc due to WWE’s family-friendly stance.
You mentioned that the mainstream public is really into reality shows. That may be so, but the mainstream public also looks down on wrestling. So, right off, they’re not going to be interested, now try to get them to pay for it. Also, the demographic most interested in reality shows is teens and young adults. This is the demo WWE has greatly lost, and continues to lose, due to their family-friendly product. So maybe these shows will bring then back. Nope, because like I said, don’t expect anything racy.
Then there’s the issue of kayfabe. You can’t break it, that’s bad.
Lucas The Menace
(In reply to J712v2)
@J712v2 The 24/7 on demand service is no where near as appealing as this new network they have set up, nor does it offer as much of exclusive content as the network will provide.
Where is the evidence that teens and young adults have stopped watching WWE? Because as far as im concerned the teens are considered kids, which is part of WWE’s audience. We all watched the product in our teen years, am I not right? I believe it continues to be that way, and teens watch WWE because it is entertainment, and like any other show, it is highly dramatic & reality based, with this network, teens will want to even watch more of WWE.
Mainstream looks down on wrestling, you’re right about that, which is why the network is a good thing. Now, the mainstream won’t be able to critique the wrestling product itself like RAW and Smackdown, because they will have more wrestling on it. Meanwhile, the network will focus on the outside of the ring things, so this WWE look good. They can focus on their inside the ring aspect on one program, and focus on outside the ring aspect in other, thus meaning the media can’t critique them because it isn’t entirely wrestling now. Wrestling fans won’t be satisfied about that, but if WWE wants to grow and expand, it’s a smart decision. Keep in mind that WWE considers themselves sports entertainment, not just wrestling. Mainstream will be able to watch a different aspect of WWE that they’re interested in, which can be the reality shows, and the other fans (wrestling) can focus on the other shows like RAW, Smackdown, etc. It’s good for business, giving different options for the viewers, almost as if WWE is competing with themselves. Very smart, opening up many areas.
J712
(In reply to LucasTheMenace)
@LucasTheMenace The OnDemand service may not offer as much exclusive content, but it does offer both rewind shows and the Monday Night War, both two shows the Network will have.
You want evidence teens not watching.. just look at the ratings. Of course some teens still watch, but the number has significantly decreased. Teens and kids are considered two different demographics, so don’t put then in the same category.
“The mainstream won’t be able to critique the product” -They also won’t be able to become fans, because the product won’t be widely available for viewing.
Every time WWE has tried to do something that’s no closely related to wrestling, it fails. WBF, XFL, WWF New York, protein shakes, energy drinks, Films…. They need to stick to what they do best, regardless of what they want to call it; putting on a wrestling show.
LucasTheMenace
(In reply to J712v2)
@J712v2 That’s the thing though, they will still be able to put on wrestling shows, on RAW, Smackdown and PPV’s. With the network, they wont have to worry about doing so many reality-show angles or soap operas on RAW, b/c they’ll have the network for that, which gives us as wrestling fans, satisfaction, cause that takes away all the stupidity from the wrestling shows itself, so if you won’t like the reality shows, you wont have to watch and instead, you can just watch the alternative; RAW, Smackdown and Superstars. While the others can watch the other alternative, so it makes sense. They still do offer wrestling.
J712
(In reply to LucasTheMenace)
@LucasTheMenace Take away the soap opera aspect, and the becomes boring. Good storylines are just as important as the actual wrestling; that combination of storylines and wrestling is what professional wrestling is.
The divas have already been degrades to models who do nothing but slap each other and scream, now they’re going to be reality stars. After a while, why even bother putting them on the wrestling shows?
LucasTheMenace
(In reply to J712v2)
@J712v2 Of course you will still have storylines on wrestling programs, but it wont be the storylines you think they will be, they’ll be wrestling storylines. Meanwhile, the soap opera crap can stick with the reality shows. I’m sure WWE will do their love angles & reality show angles every once in awhile on wrestling shows, but it wont be as much as before now, since they can do all of that for reality shows on the network. That’s why the Diva Reality Show will be great, b/c since we don’t see much of divas wrestling television, we’ll see them do more of what they’re known for doing, on the network. So that way, they don’t embarrass the wrestling aspect on TV. Makes sense?
J712
(In reply to LucasTheMenace)
@LucasTheMenace Considering how big this year’s Punk story was, why would you not want dramatic and/or more reality-based storylines? Bad business not too.
Lucas The Menace
(In reply to J712v2)
@J712v2 No, I’m talking storylines in which do not relate to wrestling, that we get in WWE. Like celebrities (unless they are wrestling), commentators arguing, love angles, etc. The highly anticipated, dramatic wrestling storylines are always great. See it’s hard to put it into word b/c of how much WWE has already been a soap opera, lol. That’s why they need to separate the 2 with the network, and show all exclusive stuff on network instead of the shows.
J712
(In reply to LucasTheMenace)
@LucasTheMenace The Attitude and Aggression Eras say “hi”. They were built around good, dramatic, soap opera storylines. The time period also happens to be the most popular in wrestling history. There’s a reason wrestling is called “a soap opera for men” Celebrities will always be a part of wrestling, whether we like it or not.
Lucas The Menace
(In reply to J712v2)
@J712v2 And that’s what will make the network stand out, they’ll have social media, reality shows, etc, to make themselves more popular. Show backstage footage on network, etc. Look, things will look more realistic now that they have this, trust me. It’s something that will surpass the attitude era, attitude era didn’t have twitter, facebook, a network,recap/debate shows or any other exlusive content that’s making WWE change today. And that’s my side of the debate, I think im done here.
– So guys, after reading a very intense twitter war between J712 and Lucas The Menace, who’s side are you on? Vote now! Let’s see what Wrestling Rambles think!
Ringsidehustle.com 
Great idea! I want the network to do well, but judging by past tries, I’m not so sure.
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Same here Capt. I am really in different minds after reading all that. like, good points from both of them. Really hard to say who I am with, I think I agree more with Lucas, but some of J’s points are backed up better. Still didn’t vote, don’t know who to vote for yet!
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Lucas, for right now. I still believe it’s to early to tell. We really have no idea where they will go with it. As far as reality programming or breaking kayfabe, I’m not sold on it yet. I enjoyed the revival of Tough Enough this year, but Stone Cold won’t want to do that year round and to be honest, he was really the only reason I personally watched. The kayfabe line is a dangerous one to cross. It’s the sorta thing where once you revival to much, you can’t take it back. I have doubts if they are going to push that line hard. Probably something like following the life of superstars on the road would work and might be interesting. The thing they have on their side is a good amount of programming, with both archive and original content, that they could come up with.
It’s going take a little extra $$$ to get this thing off the ground and originally produce these shows. The saying goes ‘You got to spend money to make money’, but I’m wondering how much this going to cost them when it’s all done. I guess they feel like they’re going to get enough people sponsoring them to make enough advertisement revenue. I don’t think they will over expand themselves, but as I’m sure they are doing behind closed doors, they really need to get all their ducks in a row and where they want to be at in, say, 5 years planned out.
For comparison; let’s look at the NBA Network and the NFL Network. They both use highlight shows and commentate on the games based off of how the players play. You can’t really do something like that for wrestling. It doesn’t work nearly as well… ”I thought the arm lock was a good call, but if it was me, I would of applied the cross face.” After a while, that would start to become comical. Now, looking at those network lineups, you notice they replay their shows ALOT. I would expect that same thing to happen with the WWE.
Can the Network run good for maybe two or three years? Yeah, probably. But after that I fear it may very well become repetitive. I don’t really know where they are going with this thing, but I will I’m interested. I pay for the WWE On Demand and it’s alright, but always thought they could expand on it. I’m glad in one aspect that at least they finally are.
(Sorry If That Was Really Long)
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Some people like it “really long”. lol
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Long is good 😛
It is such a debatable topic, thinking of writing one myself but there is two about this already.
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Anyone just tell me one thing: Unless one is a wrestling fan, why would he give a rat’s ass about anything the WWE broadcasts? Wrestling receives a very special reception. Either one is a fan or he thinks it is phony crap for children. There is not much of any relevance in between. That’s why the general public tends to look down on wrestling. And just calling it “sports entertainment” doesn’t cut it. If someone doesn’t like wrestling to begin with, why should he care about sub genres like “sports entertainment”? At the end of the day it is still wrestling. Those, who aren’t fans, don’t distinguish between sports entertainment, European catch style wrestling, Japanese puroresu, Mexican lucha libre, hardcore wrestling, shoot wrestling etc. anyway. Only we fans know and care about the differences and various styles. Non-wrestling fans label it all as phony wrestling and don’t think or care about it any further. And that is and stays the fundamental weakness of the concept for the WWE Network. They can do whatever they want, it will appeal to none other than wrestling fans.
The WWE can bend over backwards until the balls slap against the forehead and reinvent names and label wrestling “sports entertainment” and their wrestlers “superstars” ….. it doesn’t change shit about the fact that all non-wrestling fans don’t care about the WWE for obvious reasons. How are those people supposed to become paying customers? No matter in which big circles the WWE tip-toes around the matter – they are and stay a wrestling promotion in the eyes of pretty much everyone.
With wrestling being low in popularity and no real alternatives to the WWE I don’t see how this network will be beneficial. It will only eat up a shitload of money. Those assumptions that the WWE will appeal to a wider audience etc. are naive. For they completely ignore the fact that one has to be a wrestling fan to begin with to care about anything the WWE does. Especially if he is meant to spend money on it on a monthly base.
Ask anyone, who doesn’t like wrestling and clearly isn’t a fan if he knows any wrestling promotion in existence. The name WWF/WWE will pop up very often. What does that translate into? They consider the WWE a wrestling promotion (well …. IT IS!), they don’t like wrestling and they damn sure will not spend a single dime on anything the WWE does. Reality shows and cooking with fucking Big Show don’t change anything about that. Especially as they even piss off the fans, who grow sick of the WWE watering down their product more and more.
There are several reasons, why I think the WWE network will fall flat on it’s nose. But by far the single strongest doubt I have is because of the special reception that is, was and always will be linked to wrestling. The WWE will never be able to work around that. Not unless they totally drop wrestling. Even with their at times ridiculously long promos and often hideous skits …. it all ends with two or more wrestlers facing each other in a wrestling ring and doing something totally unexpected: They wrestle! Therefore, it is wrestling. Fans gonna love it. And everyone else is gonna look down on it, unable to understand why anyone cares about this outlandish stuff and wondering what goofs those wrestlers and fans must be. It never was any different.
Mark my words – the WWE network will fail.
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