Guest Dangerous A Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 The lead story in this week's Observer was about the changes about to go on or are going on currently in WWE. I will give you the gist of what was in the newsletter. -King of the Ring will be the first PPV that is brand specific.(Raw brand to be exact) and Vengeance will be the first SD ppv. 4 shows a year will be dual brand shows.(WM, Survivor Series, Summerslam, Royal Rumble) -Wrestlers like a Lance Storm will now be able to get a chance at more ppv payoffs because they will be on more ppv's, but people who headline every show (HHH,Taker, Angle) will end up losing money because they won't be on as many shows. -There is a fear that fans may only buy the dual brand shows and none of the brand specific shows if they don't start improving the product. -Goldberg may still wind up in WWE, specifically being talked about on the Raw brand. -Goldberg negotiations picked up over the past week. Ther was some talk that WWE officials were hoping to debut Goldberg in some form this week or next, meaning he could be at WM, but in a non wrestling capacity. -Wrestlemania has an advance sale of about 50,000 tickets with about 900 left at press time. -WM is looking like this: Rock v Austin, Hogan v Vince, Angle v Lesnar, Booker v HHH, Jericho v HBK as the top matches. There were plans to do a 3 way for SD tag titles with Los Guerrerros, Team Angle, and Edge and Benoit. That has been altered because of the injury to Edge to Rhyno being Benoit's partner. -They are either going with Taker and Jones vs A-Train and Show, or they may speed up the turn of Jones and run with Taker v Jones, probrably depending on whether Taker wants to play ball and put over Jones. -Matt Hardy v Mysterio, Kane v RVD, Dudleys vs Regal and Storm, 3 way with Trish, Jazz, and Victoria for the women's title, Goldust v Batista or Orton, and maybe Test v Christian round out the bottom of the card for this year's WM. Also Torrie Wilson will probrably be used in some capacity because of her Playboy spread coinciding with WM and Kevin Nash wants in the picture to pick up a Mania payoff and he plays the game well. -Things are unclear as to why Heyman was demoted other than the signs have been out there that a change was going to happen. Both Heyman and Gewirtz were suspended one week from creative last month by Steph after an argument between the two, who personally don't like each other aside from having altogether different views of what pro wrestling should be.Gewirtz's view more closely resembles that of Vince. Heyman is said to be hard to get a hold of because of being on the road, is not good at dealing with when he gets overruled, and has a tendency to manipulate himself into positions that are hard to get out of. That, along with the fact that he has a different philosophy of what wrestling is than Vince at the end of the day and gets into more frequent and public polilitcal battles are some reasons for his demotion. -All writers in the company have learned that survival comes from largely attempting to write what makes Vince happy and draw ratings, which is a tricky balancing act over the last year. -You can still see Heyman fingerprints on the writing with angles more serious as well as elevating newer and smaller wrestlers. However, in building up to WM, it's clear Smackdown is going to be built around the being the platform to get over the Vince vs Hogan feud for the next several weeks. -Heyman was opposed to bringing back and bringing in so many high profile newcomers at once, thinking a WM main event would solidify Lesnar and Angle as the big stars going forward instead of the current direction, which ony seems to solidify them as the top current stars, who aren't on the same level as the stars from the past, most of whom won't be around after Mania, nor carrying the company on the road at house shows. The rest is analysis of wrestlers and people who were used better on SD than on Raw, but it's meant squat for ratings because no one really differentiates the brand split anyway and see it all as WWE. Discuss if you wish.
Guest webmasterofwrestlegame Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 I like the sound of the lower card for WM. Looks like a good mix of matches at WM, to make it a better overall show.
Guest Anglesault Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 -Wrestlers like a Lance Storm will now be able to get a chance at more ppv payoffs because they will be on more ppv's, but people who headline every show (HHH,Taker, Angle) will end up losing money because they won't be on as many shows. - DAMN THEM! DAMN THEM TO HELL~! Okay, I'm done. But Seriously, stupid, stupid move. No one wants to give up seeing the Undertaker so Test can get a PPV match. They are going to lose A LOT of money on this.
Guest HartFan86 Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 I like the idea of making Rumble, Mania, Summerslam, and Survivor Series more meaningful PPVS, but I hate the idea of the seperate brand PPVs. The undercards are gunna be horrifying.
Guest treble charged Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 I'm thinking they're going to have to drop the price of the brand specific PPVs if they want people to order them. I'm not paying $35 to see Maven beat Steven Richards.
Guest HartFan86 Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 I'm thinking they're going to have to drop the price of the brand specific PPVs if they want people to order them. I'm not paying $35 to see Maven beat Steven Richards. DEFINATELY. $20.00 for Raw/SD PPVs, $35.00 for both brands, $40.00 for Mania.
Guest Anglesault Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 The undercards are gunna be horrifying. There's also the horrifying possibility of Test getting a PPV match and feud six times a year.
Guest wwF1587 Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 HOW THE HELL IS KOTR NOT A BIG EVENT!?!?... they should start seperating ppvs at Vengence or Backlash... if RAW is going to host KOTR then RVD better be King..
Guest wwF1587 Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 I'm thinking they're going to have to drop the price of the brand specific PPVs if they want people to order them. I'm not paying $35 to see Maven beat Steven Richards. DEFINATELY. $20.00 for Raw/SD PPVs, $35.00 for both brands, $40.00 for Mania. agreed....35 dollars is WAY too much for a RAW ppv... SD! may be worth it but.... 20 is reasonable enough
Guest the 1inch punch Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 WM is looking like this: Rock v Austin, Hogan v Vince, Angle v Lesnar, Booker v HHH, Jericho v HBK as the top matches. There were plans to do a 3 way for SD tag titles with Los Guerrerros, Team Angle, and Edge and Benoit. That has been altered because of the injury to Edge to Rhyno being Benoit's partner.They are either going with Taker and Jones vs A-Train and Show, or they may speed up the turn of Jones and run with Taker v Jones, probrably depending on whether Taker wants to play ball and put over Jones.Matt Hardy v Mysterio, Kane v RVD, Dudleys vs Regal and Storm, 3 way with Trish, Jazz, and Victoria for the women's title, Goldust v Batista or Orton, and maybe Test v Christian round out the bottom of the card for this year's WM. Also Torrie Wilson will probrably be used in some capacity because of her Playboy spread coinciding with WM and Kevin Nash wants in the picture to pick up a Mania payoff and he plays the game well. -Does anyone think a Raw versus Smackdown Battle Royal would be a decent way of getting as many people as possible a payoff. I'm thinking they're going to have to drop the price of the brand specific PPVs if they want people to order them. I'm not paying $35 to see Maven beat Steven Richards. -Stevie would never job to Maven, but I see your point. I would pay to see Benoit vs Anyone though
Guest Anglesault Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 I have no idea. No one gives three fucks about SurSer anymore, make THAT a Raw show.
Guest Choken One Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 Who cares about KOTR? It holds very little importance as much as SurSer but Surser has longer history...
Guest Retro Rob Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 It's about time they did away with the King of the Ring tournament anyway. The only way I will change my stance on that is if the ENTIRE show is the full 8 man tournament, like in 1993. Otherwise, it's about time to retire that one.
Guest Ram Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 Now how many people are going to buy a RAW PPV without the Rock there?
Guest Retro Rob Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 If Austin stays on Raw, he would be a big enough name to headline the shows. It all comes to down to how the WWE books Raw up until the KOTR. If they use any common sense at all, they should be able to get a few more guys realtively over
Guest Choken One Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 If Goldberg DOESN'T come in...they got an EASY to write next 6 months with Austin, HHH, Booker, RVD, Jericho, HBK. Just alternate with those guys... and Make sure Jericho Vs Austin is the SUMMERSLAM Raw Main event...
Guest Banky Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 As if I am going to pay ANYTHING for the RAW PPV. Are they trying to drive away the fans? The brand extension isn't working as it is, this will make it an even bigger failure. Vince needs to realize that he should make the fans happy, not himself.
Guest razazteca Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 So who will be the heel in the Kane vs RVD storyline? And what happens to the 2 wrestlers after this angle? Will Jeff Hardy be next in line to carry Kane in angles or matches? Rock, Austin, Goldberg will sell alot of Raw shows but it is not worth $35 maybe $24.95.
Guest Banky Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 So who will be the heel in the Kane vs RVD storyline? And what happens to the 2 wrestlers after this angle? Will Jeff Hardy be next in line to carry Kane in angles or matches? Rock, Austin, Goldberg will sell alot of Raw shows but it is not worth $35 maybe $24.95. Why are constant failures like Test and Christian getting a match on the PPV while hot young stars such as Cena, Noble, and others not being allowed on? And not that I care that much, but where's Steiner? He'll have to do something on the show. But the major problem will be if Cena is not on the PPV. The guy is a heat machine.
Guest Choken One Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 Cena will likely be involved during the Lesnar Match or have an WM Rap...
Guest Banky Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 Cena will likely be involved during the Lesnar Match or have an WM Rap... There is no way he would interfere in the Main Event at WM. I don't think he is at *that* level yet.
Guest Anglesault Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 Cena will likely be involved during the Lesnar Match I hope not. For two huge reasons. One, I really, really think they need to minimize mindcard involvement in this match if it's not the main event. Same way I felt about No Way Out. I'm assuming they want Lesnar and Angle to be the next huge stars. So they have to treat them like they are huge stars, and not run the midcard parade through this match. Austin/Rock at X-Seven didn't have a William Regal run in, ya know, it just cheapens the match. Also, Angle is losing. He's already losing with three men backing him up. Don't make it four.
Guest Banky Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 Cena will likely be involved during the Lesnar Match I hope not. For two huge reasons. One, I really, really think they need to minimize mindcard involvement in this match if it's not the main event. Same way I felt about No Way Out. I'm assuming they want Lesnar and Angle to be the next huge stars. So they have to treat them like they are huge stars, and not run the midcard parade through this match. Austin/Rock at X-Seven didn't have a William Regal run in, ya know, it just cheapens the match. Also, Angle is losing. He's already losing with three men backing him up. Don't make it four. I agree. But Cena WILL be a much bigger star than Regal is. In fact, I think he can be as big of a star as Angle or Lesnar - just not right now.
Guest Choken One Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 I didn't say it was A fact...It just one of only two things Cena will be doing...Either involved in some fashion with the Lesnar match or more likely, He'll do an WM RAP...
Guest razazteca Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 Cena will be hosting the show from WWE Axcess with a Rap of how bad the sports fanchises are.
Guest Anglesault Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 Cena will likely be involved during the Lesnar Match I hope not. For two huge reasons. One, I really, really think they need to minimize mindcard involvement in this match if it's not the main event. Same way I felt about No Way Out. I'm assuming they want Lesnar and Angle to be the next huge stars. So they have to treat them like they are huge stars, and not run the midcard parade through this match. Austin/Rock at X-Seven didn't have a William Regal run in, ya know, it just cheapens the match. Also, Angle is losing. He's already losing with three men backing him up. Don't make it four. I agree. But Cena WILL be a much bigger star than Regal is. In fact, I think he can be as big of a star as Angle or Lesnar - just not right now. Oh, I agree, cena could be big. But like you said, now is NOT the time.
Guest FeArHaVoC Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 Only thing Cena will be doing is jobbing to Lesnar in the next 3 weeks before WM. Then he'll be carrying Undertakers bags in Seattle.
Guest Samurai_Goat Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 You guys are missing the biggest point. Benoit and Rhyno: They're Strong They're Short They're Proud And They're gonna be the next Tag Team Champs.
Guest Retro Rob Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 Oh, I agree, cena could be big. But like you said, now is NOT the time. Conisdering the overall lack of star-power on the heel-side of SD!, why not start getting the guy over now? I love how the WWE sees someone is over (Y2J, RVD), sort of pushes them a little bit, shafts them back down the card, one year later decides to push them big time and then wonders why they are not as over as they were a year prior. They have been doing that for years now and Cena will probably follow suit.
Guest Anglesault Posted March 1, 2003 Report Posted March 1, 2003 Because four weeks is not enough time to him an upper midcarder. And a midcarder should NOT be involved in this match (Save team angle) Start with Cena now, but don't involve him in this match.
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