haVoc 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 by Dave Scherer @ 2:00:00 PM on 6/25/2004 We have talked many times in the past here on the site about the state of the morale among the workers in World Wrestling Entertainment. While it’s impossible to correctly say how everyone in the company feels on the issue, there has been a consensus among the talent of late that the company’s inability to create compelling storylines, which in turn means that WWE’s main financial revenue sources have dropped, has led to wrestlers making less money than they feel they should be earning, and certainly less than people in their position were making a few years ago during the boom period. But, it’s not just wrestlers who are becoming disillusioned with WWE. People on the other side of the camera are beginning to consider other options as well. As we reported earlier this week, Creative Team member Dominick Pagliaro’s last day with the company was Tuesday at Smackdown. He, quite simply, chose to leave WWE and ply his creative trades elsewhere rather than stay in the WWE rat race, and he’s not alone in his thinking. WWE recently allowed the contract of interviewer Rue DeBona to expire. From what I have heard from a number of sources, she was happy that they did because she had no intention of staying on with the company had they asked her to. On the business side of things, others have recently left WWE as well, including two of Kevin Dunn’s production people and a high level employee who handled travel for WWE. In essence, there are two main reasons for the people choosing to go work elsewhere. On the one hand is the incredibly frenetic pace at which WWE employees have to function at their jobs. To say that the company is a demanding employer is an understatement. There is something of a corporate philosophy in place that Vince McMahon sets the bar by working 80-hour weeks so he doesn’t ask of his people what he doesn’t do himself. That makes for long days at work for many of the company’s employees. In fact, it’s the rule not the exception there. But the bigger issue centers around financial compensation, or lack thereof. As we have been saying here on PWInsider.com for a while now, as a company the brass of World Wrestling Entertainment has done a fabulous job over the past few years in cutting costs as they have seen their main financial numbers regress as the business has become less popular and thus generated fewer dollars for the company coffers. But, the money cuts have also been passed down to the talent, both on and off camera, which has led to discontent among many. What makes the situation worse, however, is when management of the company tells its employees that there is no money for them due to the business being soft, then the work force sees corporate filings like this past week’s, where they find the McMahon family making many millions off dollars off of the dividends that the company stock pays. The general feeling is that if the McMahons weren’t making the huge money that they are, it would be a lot easier to accept that the workers will have to be paid less because the company is not doing well. But when they release the kind of financial numbers that they did this week, and the family keeps getting the dividend checks that they receive every quarter, it makes people in the company feel quite differently about the issue, and rightfully so in my opinion. If there were some kind of recovery in sight, it may lead to a different outlook among the employees, but no one I talk to in the company sees any kind of turnaround as being imminent. We reported this week that WWE is looking to hire an editor to keep the continuity of storylines in a logical manner, but many in the company feel that job is doomed to fail before it even begins due to the fact that Vince McMahon changes his mind on the direction of creative all the time. That makes planning for the long term a much harder, maybe impossible, task since even the best laid plans won’t be effective if the boss abruptly decides to go in a different direction. Since stars and creative drive the company, and neither area looks promising right now, it has led to some of the company’s employees to seriously contemplate what is best for their future and deciding whether they are best served to stay in WWE or look for work elsewhere. This has all led to discontent among people in the company. Obviously, the options of the performers are limited. Even at the lower paydays of today, WWE is still the place where they can earn the best salary. But those who work outside of the ring do not have their options so limited. From what I am hearing from many sources, you can expect more and more people to leave WWE for, literally, greener pastures. Credit: PWInsider.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goodear Report post Posted June 25, 2004 WWE’s main financial revenue sources have dropped, has led to wrestlers making less money than they feel they should be earning, and certainly less than people in their position were making a few years ago during the boom period. Well duh, the business isn't booming anymore. I mean this is like saying people during the Great Depression were making a whole lot less. Or to make the entertainment connection if Jim Carrey has 15 bombs in a row, you don't keep paying him $30 million a film. Plus being all on creative for not giving them anything do is rather weaksauce as well as Nick Dinsmore has proven by taking a gimmick of his own design and taking it to two RAW main events in like two months. WWE recently allowed the contract of interviewer Rue DeBona to expire. From what I have heard from a number of sources, she was happy that they did because she had no intention of staying on with the company had they asked her to. NOT RUE! ANYONE BUT RUE! Newsflash: The already replaced her with Matthews and the other guy. So what? Blah, Blah, Blah We want to do less for more money. Thats like the reason more every person leaving every job EVER! The general feeling is that if the McMahons weren’t making the huge money that they are, it would be a lot easier to accept that the workers will have to be paid less because the company is not doing well. But when they release the kind of financial numbers that they did this week, and the family keeps getting the dividend checks that they receive every quarter, it makes people in the company feel quite differently about the issue, and rightfully so in my opinion. Rightly so my ass. Where praytell do these people think Vince spends those million dollar checks? He's working 80 hour weeks! You think maybe that those checks are perhaps getting we used for the company? You think maybe the owner of the company needs the cash in order to keep the company running? You think maybe he runs a company in order to turn a profit? I must be the crazy person here... I must be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Loss Report post Posted June 25, 2004 And if the company is in a soft business period, everyone from the McMahons on down should be feeling the burn, not just the wrestlers and staff. Saying that because he works too much to have time to spend his money excuses him from making so much money is ridiculous, and it does send out a bad message to the rest of the roster, especially those that were already making under $100,000 a year that took a 50% pay cut when the NWO came in and never got it back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Cucaracha 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 He shouldn't be running the company to make a profit Goodear. He should be running it to provide his loyal fanbase with endless ***** matches. Silly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lil' Bitch 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 I liked Rue. I'll miss her. Plus she was hot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goodear Report post Posted June 25, 2004 Saying that because he works too much to have time to spend his money excuses him from making so much money is ridiculous, and it does send out a bad message to the rest of the roster. The question though is just how much of that money gets refunneled right back into the business and I would submit to you that a great deal of it does considering just how devoted Vince is and always has been to the business. Look I have no qualms with Jimmy the Production Guy quitting to go work somewhere else for more money in and less work, but to infer that Vince is just pocketing cash because of the dividend checks and keeping it for himself is contrary to anything I have ever seen about the guy. I refuse to believe that after all these years of being a wrestling promoter, he's suddenly got this stock money and is pocketing all of it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Loss Report post Posted June 25, 2004 The company publicizes it. Even the McMahons admit it. They're a publicly-traded company now, so they have to report these sorts of things. You can refuse to believe it if you want, but it's coming right from the horse's mouth. Considering they have to account for every dollar coming in and going out of the company, Vince can't just go take $1.5 million out of savings to renew HHH's contract, for example. Business doesn't work like that. It would be like a restaurant owner refusing to give raises to his employees because people stop eating there, all the while buying a new house and driving a sports car. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crimson Platypus 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 As we have been saying here on PWInsider.com for a while now, as a company the brass of World Wrestling Entertainment has done a fabulous job over the past few years in cutting costs as they have seen their main financial numbers regress as the business has become less popular and thus generated fewer dollars for the company coffers. But, the money cuts have also been passed down to the talent, both on and off camera, which has led to discontent among many. Really just wanted to respond to the bolded part; It's not the business that has become less popular. It's the product. If they were putting out good product it would be just as popular as any boom period. Anyone who watches SD! right now can attest to the poor product being aired on a weekly basis. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Loss Report post Posted June 25, 2004 Speaking of, I don't know that these approaches would draw money, but if they're wanting to bump the ratings, the best options are probably to turn Ric Flair babyface and feud him with Evolution, keep Flair heel and feud him with Foley in a high-profile feud or bring back Rock for a feud with HHH. All of those things would be putting a band-aid on a surgical wound, but that would probably get the ratings higher between now and year's end. The problem is that I don't think any of those scenarios would draw at this point. EDIT - I'll clarify that I'd HATE every one of those scenarios. But they would all be effective. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goodear Report post Posted June 25, 2004 Really just wanted to respond to the bolded part; It's not the business that has become less popular. It's the product. If they were putting out good product it would be just as popular as any boom period. Anyone who watches SD! right now can attest to the poor product being aired on a weekly basis. Wrestling as a whole is pretty much down across the board with WCW going out of business and no one filling that big old gap. But you're right in saying WWE is a creative rut so we're in a bit of column A and a bit of column B situation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J.B. Buzzkill 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 I liked her. I'll miss her. Plus she was hot. I echo those sentiments. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Loss Report post Posted June 25, 2004 Also, with the roster they've had and the number of guys who were ready to be elevated in 2000 and 2001, they should have been set for at least five years. That doesn't even take into consideration the opportunities to turn business around quickly that have just been thrown in their laps (the inVasion, the NWO and Goldberg are three examples) that have been squandered. There's no excuse for the current rut. None. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crimson Platypus 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 Also, with the roster they've had and the number of guys who were ready to be elevated in 2000 and 2001, they should have been set for at least five years. That doesn't even take into consideration the opportunities to turn business around quickly that have just been thrown in their laps (the inVasion, the NWO and Goldberg are three examples) that have been squandered. There's no excuse for the current rut. None. Agreed. I blame the brand split as the main reason for the rut they are currently in. It certainly did nothing to create "new stars". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lil' Bitch 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 Agreed. I blame the brand split as the main reason for the rut they are currently in. It certainly did nothing to create "new stars". What?!! Brock Lesnar? John Cena? Randy Orton? Shelton Benjamin? Charlie Haas ring a bell? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 I don't mind writers leaving. They're largely responsible for the amount of crap we saw in 2002. I'd be more sad if the excellent video package guys left than I do the writers who brought us the last two years of crap. Wrestling's biggest problem is the merger of ideas. The "live-action cartoon" days of the early 80s WWF with it's hollow US patriotism and it's overly stale angles (Lita/Kane? No thanks, I got over women being stalked by ugly monster guys with Liz and Steele.) The Jerry Springer years of guys pretending to be girls, "hardcore" matches, and "edgy" characters like JBL's rants pushing the line of decency as far as the network will let them. Both these eras have come and gone. And putting them together isn't going to do anything. No angle, no matchup, no wrestler returning from retirement or Hollywood is going to draw in this environment. My suggestion is that the crowd be allowed to adopt favoritism for heels again. "Cool heels" can't exist anymore because the moment they get crowd support, Vince turns them face and they lose the attitude that made people like them in the first place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mystery Eskimo 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 The brand split is the arguably the only worthwhile decision WWE have made of recent years. If we hadnt had it, Benoit and Eddie would be jobbing to Tyson Tomko et al rather than world champs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheBigSwigg 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 My suggestion is that the crowd be allowed to adopt favoritism for heels again. "Cool heels" can't exist anymore because the moment they get crowd support, Vince turns them face and they lose the attitude that made people like them in the first place. I agree. As soon as a heel gets a little pop, he/she turns face and completely alters their character (ala Cena, Victoria, etc.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BHK 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 Just to make a point here: The entire reason that companies give stock dividends is that sareholders can profit from the company making a profit. If the company makes a profit, and they don't give a dividend, you KNOW that money they make is getting re-invested. Is it possible that vince is taking his dividend cash and spending it on the WWE? yes. However, it's more plausable that he's pocketing it for himself and his family. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheZsaszHorsemen Report post Posted June 25, 2004 As we have been saying here on PWInsider.com for a while now, as a company the brass of World Wrestling Entertainment has done a fabulous job over the past few years in cutting costs as they have seen their main financial numbers regress as the business has become less popular and thus generated fewer dollars for the company coffers. But, the money cuts have also been passed down to the talent, both on and off camera, which has led to discontent among many. Really just wanted to respond to the bolded part; It's not the business that has become less popular. It's the product. If they were putting out good product it would be just as popular as any boom period. Anyone who watches SD! right now can attest to the poor product being aired on a weekly basis. I think the loss of the two most popular stars in the history of the business to Hollywood and injuries has something to do with that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 I liked Rue. I'll miss her. Plus she was hot. No worries I bet the Dive Search winner will be just as good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haVoc 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 and it's overly stale angles (Lita/Kane? No thanks, I got over women being stalked by ugly monster guys with Liz and Steele.) And on that note.... WWE's creative team has not decided on the final conclusion to the Kane/Lita pregnancy angle yet. The angle has been a major focus of WWE TV over the past few weeks. Many ideas have been thrown around but nothing has been decided upon. Credit: Torch Newsletter/411 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheBigSwigg 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 WWE's creative team has not decided on the final conclusion to the Kane/Lita pregnancy angle yet. The angle has been a major focus of WWE TV over the past few weeks. Many ideas have been thrown around but nothing has been decided upon. Credit: Torch Newsletter/411 I am not surprised. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 The thing is, Vince isn't taking those millions of dollars he's making off stock and putting it back into the Wrestling aspect of the business - he's using it for stupid things like WWE Films. From what I am hearing from many sources, you can expect more and more people to leave WWE for, literally, greener pastures. They're going to work on a farm? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 From what I am hearing from many sources, you can expect more and more people to leave WWE for, literally, greener pastures. They're going to work on a farm? Well, it was the dream of Rodney Dangerfield so I guess when you get no respect you feel the need to go work on a farm. ....which would explain why I want to go work on a farm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Internet Warfare 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 And all this time I thought Fi Fi raised morale. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2004 As we have been saying here on PWInsider.com for a while now, as a company the brass of World Wrestling Entertainment has done a fabulous job over the past few years in cutting costs as they have seen their main financial numbers regress as the business has become less popular and thus generated fewer dollars for the company coffers. But, the money cuts have also been passed down to the talent, both on and off camera, which has led to discontent among many. Really just wanted to respond to the bolded part; It's not the business that has become less popular. It's the product. If they were putting out good product it would be just as popular as any boom period. Anyone who watches SD! right now can attest to the poor product being aired on a weekly basis. I think the loss of the two most popular stars in the history of the business to Hollywood and injuries has something to do with that. Rock and Austin leaving made Smackdown suck? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted June 26, 2004 The thing is, Vince isn't taking those millions of dollars he's making off stock and putting it back into the Wrestling aspect of the business - he's using it for stupid things like WWE Films. From what I am hearing from many sources, you can expect more and more people to leave WWE for, literally, greener pastures. They're going to work on a farm? The people who are shit are being used as fertilizer? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Loss Report post Posted June 26, 2004 Zsasz, WWE was going down WITH Austin and Rock. Numbers have been falling since 2001. It's not something recent. And now they're at a point where they are forced to push talent before they're ready because they totally skipped over Jericho/RVD/Booker, etc, and they've all been the top of the bottom and the bottom of the top so long that moving them any further up is a bigger risk than it should be. I get criticized for being a fanboy for both of them sometimes, but Chris Jericho and RVD winning matches and feuds with Austin, Rock, HHH and Taker and becoming permanent headliners would have taken care of a large part of the problem they're facing now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted June 26, 2004 Also, with the roster they've had and the number of guys who were ready to be elevated in 2000 and 2001, they should have been set for at least five years. That doesn't even take into consideration the opportunities to turn business around quickly that have just been thrown in their laps (the inVasion, the NWO and Goldberg are three examples) that have been squandered. There's no excuse for the current rut. None. Umm, Rock is doing movies. Austin is retired. Angle is a bad bump from paralysis. Hard to overcome the loss of 3 huge money makers for you. As for the opportunities, nWo was a bad idea from the get go. WCW started losing money with the nWo angle for a reason. It was DEAD. They should've let it die and NEVER sign those 3 to begin with. As for Goldberg --- what the hell else could they do with him? Clean over Rock. Clean over Jericho. Annihilates HHH on PPV TWICE. They CAN'T have him bury the entire roster because that would make the problem MUCH worse. It's not THEIR fault that such a great "Draw" needs to be protected like nobody's business. Zsasz, WWE was going down WITH Austin and Rock. Numbers have been falling since 2001. It's not something recent. A recession was a problem. No company does well in a recession. And now they're at a point where they are forced to push talent before they're ready because they totally skipped over Jericho/RVD/Booker, etc, and they've all been the top of the bottom and the bottom of the top so long that moving them any further up is a bigger risk than it should be. The only guy they've screwed up is Jericho --- and he's always around the ME area. RVD and Booker aren't ME caliber performers. I get criticized for being a fanboy for both of them sometimes, but Chris Jericho and RVD winning matches and feuds with Austin, Rock, HHH and Taker and becoming permanent headliners would have taken care of a large part of the problem they're facing now. Umm, Chris DID win his program with Rock. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mecha Mummy 0 Report post Posted June 26, 2004 Umm, Chris DID win his program with Rock. -=Mike Yeah, but think about the feud that came right after that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
