How things could work out...

[Guest tominator89]

I know this topic has been done before, and I don't claim to be completely original in this topic, but...

 

A thought: would Viacom and WWE benefit from mutally ending their contract? TNN is obviously not pleased with on-going drop in ratings and with the HLA segment from RAW, one would have to suggest that Viacom might be having second thoughts. Sure, RAW brings in some nice ratings, but technically so was Nitro and we all know what happened there. Plus, TNN could enter into some more syndication rights like they just did for CSI. I could see how TNN would benefit. Now, WWE's side of things. One could argue that TNN's refusal to give Vince a timeslot for WCW botched the entire invasion angle before it even started. It's not that much of a stretch to suggest that the embarrassment of the WCW/ECW invasion hurt WWE business big-time. So, if a deal was agreed upon to end the relationship, maybe Vince could take steps to beginning his own 24 hour channel. Just think about it, Vince could completely rebuild WCW with Nitro, Thunder, whatever else, he could acquire the rights to the ECW library and air those shows, I'm sure he could work out a deal to put OVW shows on his channel which would benefit both organizations, maybe he could even use some Smokey Mountain footage, too, and he could even promote the new WWE Films division. I think the possibilities are endless. Perhaps there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[Guest justcoz]

While I like the idea of a 24 hour wrestling channel the logistics of such a thing being developed with the business as it is now seems like a longshot. I think there is definitely an audience for it and I believe WWE, as the lone company in the U.S. scene, should capitalize on that as it's less of a risk then say Smackdown Records, WWE films, etc. The audience for today's wrestling may be dwindling but practically everyone, at some point in their lives, watched wrestling. They would not only need to showcase the WWF and WCW archives but also obtain the rights to the ECW, AWA, World Class, Georgia, Florida, Mid South/UWF libraries and possibly negotiate a deals for Japan and Mexico wrestling. Programming such as Confidential with a Behind The Music type look at the industry should be prominently featured. Hell, give Meltzer a show, get the "insiders" on the payroll.

 

If they were to lose TNN, regardless of the ratings, I think some network would take them. With the success of HBO series like Sex and the City, Sopranos and Six Feet Under along with Showtime takes like Queer As Folk, I think they could easily find a weekly home on an HBO or Showtime with less boundaries as far as in ring violence, storyline content, language, nudity, etc.