As wrestling fans, who also use the internet, we see numerous “headlines” surface. Most you probably don’t give to much thought too, others that capture your attention. Here are some of the more popular from the past week, or so, that have drawn my eye.
*NOTE* Validity may vary.
Evan Bourne Heat
Apparently, one half of the tag team champions has some backstage heat on him. This comes after he expressed support for R-Truth over Twitter, who had been suspended(along with Bourne) for smoking synthetic marijuana. Honestly, I have no problem with this. Maybe it’s because I’m a “business person,” because I side with those who want to insure the company image in this case. If you ran a multimillion dollar company, would you want “potheads,” who badmouth the organization they work for, representing you on a global level? Nothing against Bourne, but you just don’t do that.
Network Concern
There are now some within WWE who believe the Network will not be nearly as successfully as it’s being hyped up to be, especially considering it’s debut is being rushed. Some even believe it could flop in the first year, or at least be perceived as one. Well, what I can say here, that I haven’t already about the Network? I fully believe it’ll be a huge disaster, have since the first rumor, and now these reports of company officials also being concerned, are simply the icing on the cake.
Jericho Sighted at Nashville Airport
In the age of Internet, Facebook, Twitter, and phones smarter than their users, you’d think if you wanted to hide someone from the public eye, say for a special, secret appearance, that had been mysteriously hyped up for months, which has everyone talking, you would need to take extraordinary measures to do so. You definitely would not fly this person into a major cities’ airport, where those with smart phones can take a picture, upload it to the Internet, and start a fire storm that sweeps across social media. …unless, you’re WWE, in which case, that’s exactly what you would do.
Incidentally, officials didn’t think fans would take photos with of a celebrity at an airport. They sure didn’t believe that Twitter, the social media platform they’ve been shoving down the WWE Universe’s throat, would backfire on them. The idiocracy of this company is almost astounding….I use “almost,” because I’ve seen TNA.
Taping Impact in England
Speaking of TNA, they’ve made the decision to tape an episode of Impact from England this year. I have mixed feelings on this one here. On one hand, they need to focus on growing their domestic audience, before their international reach. Otherwise, it resembles going from crawling to sprinting, in one step. However, TNA actually has a larger fan base in the UK, and draw substantially larger figures as compared to the States. Plus, fans have been calling for, or pleading rather, for the company to expand out of the Impact Zone, for what seems like ages now. So, is this a positive step, or is TNA getting ahead of themselves?
WWE Interested in RVD
I don’t know why. Seriously, I can’t figure this out. I know he was a draw, but I also know he isn’t any longer. Something else I know about RVD…he’s a pothead, and not a synthetic one, like Evan Bourne, either. Not that I have an issue with potheads, or anything, but isn’t drug use the reason he was future endeavored by the organization previously? With their current crackdown, I don’t get why they would ever consider bringing in the “One of a Kind” again. Not to mention, WWE’s roster is already stacked with great young talent, that in my opinion, exceed Van Dam. Sure, he would get some good reactions, and fans would chant along “R-V-D!” but he’s 41 years of age; his time has come and gone. Don’t even try to say that he would be a good addition, because he’s a veteran who could put younger stars over. WWE already has credible veterans to get the job done: HHH, Undertaker, Jericho, Christian, William Regal, Booker T, Goldust(?), Big Show, Mark Henry, Kane, R-Truth, and Rey Mysterio. The roster is fine without Rob Van Dam.
WWE and Twitter Overuse
When I first saw this headline, it really pissed me off. Apparently, WWE officials know that they’re over-doing the Twitter promotion, and that it’s annoying fans to death. However, they want trending topics on the social media outlet, so that other, non-fans, will be interested in the product. ….I’m not sure how “Anal Bleeding” will attract new fans, but whatever. They should be more concerned with alienating their current fans, who are the one’s responsible for getting those topics to trend, and also the one’s who are negatively live-tweeting about the current WWE product. Great strategy!
Punk/Ace To Equal Austin/Vince
I laugh. CM Punk is great, and John Laurinaitis is slowly beginning to come into his own, but come on now. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin had been pushed for over a year, before first Stunning Vince McMahon, and it was nearly two years after his famous “3:16” King of the Ring promo, before he captured the WWF Championship. Vince was the head of honcho of the company, and merely two months after their feud began, he screwed over a cornerstone of the company, Bret Hart, and things really took off for him.
Now, let’s take a look at Punk/Ace. The company only got behind “the Second City Saint” back in July, and let’s face it; from SummerSlam to Survivor Series, he lost his steam. Even now, he’s not doing too much. Austin, on the other hand, was built up flawlessly. As for Johnny Ace,…well, he’s simply Johnny Ace. He’s terrible on the mic,and annoying as heck, but that’s his thing. He’s no where near the level of McMahon, though. Everyone knows he’s not the head boss, and is instead, just a stooge. More people are probably more interested in “Who’s stooge” he belongs too. Not to mention, McMahon had never been physically assaulted in the ring, prior to Austin stunning him. Meanwhile, Punk has taken Johnny’s head off with a kick! And WWE wants Punk punching him to be like Austin’s first Stunner on Vince? Give me a break.
What are your opinions about some of these so called headlines? Leave your thoughts in the comments below (no, you don’t need an acct). Also let me know what you think about this article concept.
Thanks for Reading,
J.
@J712v2
My issue with the Bourne situation is real weed gets you fined. The fake stuff gets you suspended. Plus, you know worse stuff has been done in the past that people graze over. Another is they’re not even employees, so as long as it’s not messing them up while in the ring, I don’t see how it affects the company. That doesn’t even take into account of it being used for medicinal purposes. You know they have to be in major pain and most aren’t using it to be “potheads”, but to take that pain away.
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Some good points there. The only I disagree with being how it reflects back on the company. I just think if all your contracted talent is running around high (and the number would without a doubt increase if they weren’t so strict about it), it trigger negativity towards the company as a whole. Which, since the WWE is the largest representive of wrestling, would in turn, reflect badly on wrestling in general.
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Most people won’t care. Attitudes(no pun intended) are changing about weed. The more people know about it, the more they can separate it from coke, heroin, and the more hardcore drugs. Me, I don’t smoke, drink, or do drugs, but I would think for many wrestlers who get “heat” on them for not working hurt, smoking a joint to numb the pain is much better than getting addicted to painkillers.
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Complete agree RE RVD and his ‘entertainment’ preferences, we said something similar on The Top Rope this past week.
Personally I think it’s a great move for TNA to tape an Impact over here in the UK. Technically, more people do watch Impact than Raw over here because Impact is on a free-to-air channel and Raw is not. They aren’t going to beat the WWE in the States, so why not try and capitalize on their ‘advantage’ here in the UK.
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I knew there had to be a reason TNA beats RAW in ratings pretty much every week!
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The article content is great. Like a news round up section with a bloggers edge/take on things.
I am going to second what Simon said about Impact in the UK. Maybe its because I live in the UK and knowing the show is on TV adds an extra edge or maybe its just that I feel TNA needs to get out of the impact zone at any oportunity.
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Glad you like it. Adding more writers to future colums like this, would be interesting.
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I’ll say this for Impact, when you are the main rival of WWE and last 10 years, you have to be doing SOMETHING right.
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Luck has been on their side.
They were fortunate to get good level new talent (now referred to as “homegrown”). Then they convinced the Carter family to support the organization. And the big break came when WWE left Spike for the USA Network, upsetting them in the process. Also, the wrestling cycle’s decline, and WWE’s lackluster product, helped a lot.
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Plus, the knockouts are yummy.
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I like RVD and could see him back as he’d be a great help to the young talent. He’s one of the healthiest guys out there and proves the pot doesn’t affect his ability to perform. I’m guessing WWE would have no choice but to be lenient with him if they want him that bad.
It’s a cool idea and it’s an easy subject to write about because there’s always the news sites. Plus a lot of people read the dirt sheets so the subjects will be easily discussed.
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Aren’t you a fan of horticulture? 😛
Thanks, maybe you could be in on the next round.
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your mom has no here, she has turn to the side to get through door areas, and eat poismuss and snakes for dinnerVA:F [1.9.8_1114]please wait…VA:F [1.9.8_1114](from 0 votes)
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I completely disagree with the Punk/Ace=Stone Cold/Vince thing. There hasn’t been a recent feud that has been hotter than Stone Cold/Vince McMahon.
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…and may never be.
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The smarks would’ve turn on Austin for “pandering” to the crowd with the whole “Give me a HELL YEAH!!!” bit.
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When Capt. Smooth said smarks, it made me think of Brian Pillman’s 1st promo in ECW.
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RIP
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Interesting read. I have to admit I don’t really understand what Bourne is playing at bad mouthing the company on Twitter, fine there is definitely stars within the WWE who will not get drugs tested by fact of the matter is, he’s not really in the position to insult the company. He’s as charismatic as a chocolate tea pot.
RVD to WWE, he left on good terms but would be a strange decision to bring him back considering certain issues he has. Would be good for one offs though.
Comparing SCSA/Vince to Punk/Mr Excitement is laughable, enough said.
The WWE Network, doubt it will have much effect on how we in the UK view the product but if they include the PPVs in the monthly fee, I think it could work as long as its not a ridiculous charge.
And TNA taping a show in the UK, a great idea, the English fans are mega loud and provide a slightly different (more aggressive) atmosphere which I am sure will come across very well on TV.
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Great read. I don’t think they bothered with Jericho because by then, anyone over 15 knew it was going to be him. I also don’t think Jericho has too many young fans. Well, maybe after high fiving everyone and having a bright jacket he will.
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