WWETV

[Guest BobBacklundRules]

From the Wrestling Observer newsletter:

 

There has been talk of WWE starting an all-wrestling channel. They’ve denied this in the past, but it makes a lot of sense. They have tons of old WWF footage, plus the WCW tape libraries. WWE is also trying to acquire the tape libraries of ECW, the AWA, and the UWF/Mid-South. If they get at least two of those, look for the wrestling channel to become a reality. As long as they show good footage, I think it would be a money-maker for them.

 

Now I know that the WWE is sitting on a goldmine of wrestling footage of which only glimpses have been shown on confidential and as DVD extras, and since I don't order any PPV's my wrestling footage is limited to the regular WWE shows and a very small but growing tape collection. So I would love to see this happen, and when the contracts run up on the UPN television deal and the TNN deal, the WWE can air RAW and Smackdown on their own channel.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

I'm all for it.

 

Hell, then there would always be something on.

 

However, I still have to wonder why Vince isn't churning out Best of Sting DVDs or whatever that would sell. He could be offsetting his losses with some creative...

 

oh wait...now I know why.

[Guest blachuuh_monkey]

That's a fucking great Idea.

[Guest caboose]

Best of Sting DVD

Best of Flair DVD

Best of Steamboat DVD

Best of Regal DVD (that ones for Bob)

Jesus christ would they sell like hot cakes.

(except the last one)

[Guest AndrewTS]

If I thought it would be centered around awesome wrestling...yes. In reality it would be mostly WWE programming, and likely the good stuff would be in the minority.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

I want to see an all wrestling channel...

 

If it were made by the Smarks...>=)

[Guest Slapnuts00]

It would be a great idea, but there still exists some questions.

First of all would this be a channel carried by most major cable providers? The All Wrestling Channel? I suppose there is the Golf Channel so why not? The NBA and soon NFL have their own channel but they are only avaliable on Direct TV and Didgital Cable providers.

Another questions would be what to show during RAW and Smackdown since they wouldn't want to take away viewers from their flagship shows. Also, what would they show? I mean would they give away past PPVs, depriving themselves of DVD and video sales, or just show old territory matches? Would they produce new programming? How much programming would be on? (surely for a certain time of the night and and probably during the day since I don't think many wrestling fans are home from work or school they'd have to sell for infomercials). It's an awesome idea, don't get me wrong, I just think it's a little more difficult than we might think.

[Guest blachuuh_monkey]

"Best of Sting DVD

Best of Flair DVD

Best of Steamboat DVD

Best of Regal DVD (that ones for Bob)

Jesus christ would they sell like hot cakes.

(except the last one) "

 

I would buy the Regal one in a second if it contained all his shit from WCW when he was one of the best workers in america unlike today when he pretty much sucks.

[Guest goar]

I've always thought they were missing the boat by not starting something like that when they acquired WCW's footage. Adding AWA, USWA, or other territories would only make it better. There would have to be original programming of some sort on there. Even ESPN Classic has SportsCentury. Which wouldn't be a bad idea in it's own right. A Biography type show with interviews (shoot maybe) and match/feud highlites. Even some of the lesser people would become interesting in that setting. I just know my VCR would burn out very quickly.

[Guest Slapnuts00]

I would buy the Regal one in a second if it contained all his shit from WCW when he was one of the best workers in america unlike today when he pretty much sucks.

Regal has always bored me to tears, especially now. Sorry Bob, and I don't care if I've besmirched you. Feel free to call me a miserable little toerag if you wish though.

[Guest Mole]

It would be a great idea, but there still exists some questions.

First of all would this be a channel carried by most major cable providers? The All Wrestling Channel? I suppose there is the Golf Channel so why not? The NBA and soon NFL have their own channel but they are only avaliable on Direct TV and Didgital Cable providers.

Another questions would be what to show during RAW and Smackdown since they wouldn't want to take away viewers from their flagship shows. Also, what would they show? I mean would they give away past PPVs, depriving themselves of DVD and video sales, or just show old territory matches? Would they produce new programming? How much programming would be on? (surely for a certain time of the night and and probably during the day since I don't think many wrestling fans are home from work or school they'd have to sell for infomercials). It's an awesome idea, don't get me wrong, I just think it's a little more difficult than we might think.

Since WWE's contract is coming up with UPN and TNN, they could easily stick Raw and Smackdown on their channel. It would make sense to me.

 

Yeah, the only problem would be cable companies picking it up. However, with there being SO many channels out there, why not add another?

 

I have digital cable, and there are TONS of channels on it. They even have a video game channel.

 

If there was a wrestling channel, I would probably NEVER EVER EVER change the channel.

[Guest Slapnuts00]

No doubt digital cable and satellite would pick it up, but why would WWE want to leave TNN or UPN? UPN gives them huge national exposure being on a network, and TNN as well on a major cable channel. Why would they want to pull their major shows off major outlets so they'll be seen by A LOT less people. More likely they would continue their deals with TNN/UPN and when they are showing RAW or Smackdown the wrestling channel would either be black or have infomericals. More likely also they'd show replays of the shows throughout the week on the channel, which would be great for those who missed it or want to watch it again...this is all just speculation though!

[Guest Mole]

No doubt digital cable and satellite would pick it up, but why would WWE want to leave TNN or UPN? UPN gives them huge national exposure being on a network, and TNN as well on a major cable channel. Why would they want to pull their major shows off major outlets so they'll be seen by A LOT less people. More likely they would continue their deals with TNN/UPN and when they are showing RAW or Smackdown the wrestling channel would either be black or have infomericals. More likely also they'd show replays of the shows throughout the week on the channel, which would be great for those who missed it or want to watch it again...this is all just speculation though!

I didn't say this correctly. TNN and UPN might not want to pick of WWE TV when their contracts come up. Yes, it would be stupid for them to leave those stations, but if they don't get picked up, that is always an option.

[Guest geniusMoment]

If they can get ECW's footage I would mark out like crazy. while the wwe would lose money in the short term if they took raw and smackdown off of tnn and upn, they would have the opportunity to make it back ten fold. They would get all of the advertising revenue for the channel for 24 hours a day. I guarantee you the channel would get better ratings then the golf channel. There is basically no cost, they just televise past WWF, WCW, and ECW shows. They also could sell spots to other indy promotions who would want their show highlighted so they could sell tickets to an upcoming show. They wouldn't give any promotion a permanent spot but they could rake in the money by say letting CZW air a show to promote an upcoming event.

[Guest Army Eye]

Man this would be heaven. I only worry about what would happen to my life if this channel got started.

 

Wouldn't it be great if they ran through the Nitro and Raw library, showing a new episode of each every weeknight? And keep them IN SYNC. You'd have to skip a bunch of Raws at the beginning but I think it'd be great to relive the weekly head-to-head battle. (It's not like we'll see any other real competition for a LONG time, might as well go back to the stuff that already happened)

 

I'm guessing they won't show old WWF PPVs, since that would certainly hurt the video sales. I don't know what their stance would be on WCW and ECW PPVs though. Show 'em! And hey, having WWF PPVs on the channel as well would be quite a 'draw' so to speak. Maybe they'd make more money off the channel than whatever it was they'd lose off the video revenues. Tough call.

 

The best of Sting, best of Flair DVDs, etc. is a GREAT idea too. I'd be all over those.

[Guest Slapnuts00]

Yeah, 2 things, unless they show infomercials at night, I'd never get any sleep, and I would run through A LOT of blank vhs tapes taping away...

[Guest Army Eye]

And let's have a best of VADER!!!

[Guest Slapnuts00]

What time is is?! VADAH TIME!!!!!!!!!

[Guest Dmann2000]

What sort of new programming could they have on this channel:

 

A game show (naturally)

One on One with JR

The Memorable Moments (Each week pick a particular match or moment and have it be discussed by wrestlers, fans, production crew etc, and of course any matches will be shown in full during the show)

On the Road (each week a crew follows a different WWE superstar or TV employee from show to show)

Sign NOAH, New Japan or All Japan to a broadcast deal, hire some guy with a knowledge of puro but who won't shit on the NA wrestling, and who can provide crucial infor about the events going on in Japanese wrestling

[Guest Hogan Made Wrestling]

Obviously there would be lots of time (late at night most likely, or while WWE shows are on) for infomercials, shilling of WWE events/products, etc. It could probably work pretty well as long as they get the financials right, on the plus side they have no need to pay for programming so it's all administration costs.

[Guest DerangedHermit]

When Raw/SD are on, they should have a simulcast on the proposed channel and TNN ou UPN.

[Mrnoitaull 0]

I might be late but isn't WWE's contract expiring next year for Smackdown ?

 

So that's more than an excellent idea, And look at this, NWA can finally get their cable debut they they've been workin for for so long !

[Guest NoSelfWorth]

This will never happen. Vince will never use creations other than his own in a positive manner.

[Guest FeArHaVoC]

I think Jericho should get his own 1/2 hour Talk show.

 

Topic of the week, "Special" Guests, the whole 9 yards.

[Guest Insane Bump Machine]

I think Jericho should get his own 1/2 hour Talk show.

 

Topic of the week, "Special" Guests, the whole 9 yards.

and add Mattitude~! to represent the Smackdown brand.

[Guest Angle-plex]

I could start watching that instead of RAW every monday.

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

Tuesday Night Titans 2k3!!!

[Guest Brian]

I'm guessing they already have most of the SMW library.

[Guest Eagan469]

Here in Buffalo they have a "Smackdown! Coming in 2003" commercial with The Rock running on our local PAX affiliate (WNLO).

 

Don't know if it means anything, because our current UPN affiliate WNGS is dropping UPN in early 2003. So either Smackdown is moving to PAX, or WNLO is dropping PAX and picking up UPN locally.

[Guest razazteca]

How are they going to show old WWF footage if the Panda wants all the money?

 

Are squash matches such as Barry Hortiwetz vs Luger really worth a channel of its own?

 

Do you want to see Vince as an Announcer again?