MikeJordan23 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 [email protected] Spike TV sent out a press release earlier today announcing they have closed negotiations with WWE regarding renewing their five-year contract. It is believed to now be a formality that WWE Raw and the rest of the weekend cable shows, Heat, Velocity and Experience, will be moving to the USA Network in September. "After several months of negotiations, we have decided to end our discussions about extending our relationship wiht WWE beyond September 2005," wrote Spike TV in a press release. "Moving forward, Spike TV will expand its investments in original programming and new acquisitions for its core audience." This is a huge blow to the network, as Raw was, by far, its most popular program and led to it be the No. 4 rated network when it came to the coveted 18-34 and 18-49 demographics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt Angle Mark 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 Spike TV sent out a press release earlier today announcing they have closed negotiations with WWE regarding renewing their five-year contract. It is believed to now be a formality that WWE Raw and the rest of the weekend cable shows, Heat, Velocity and Experience, will be moving to the USA Network in September. "After several months of negotiations, we have decided to end our discussions about extending our relationship wiht WWE beyond September 2005," wrote Spike TV in a press release. "Moving forward, Spike TV will expand its investments in original programming and new acquisitions for its core audience." This is a huge blow to the network, as Raw was, by far, its most popular program and led to it be the No. 4 rated network when it came to the coveted 18-34 and 18-49 demographics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Failed Mascot Report post Posted March 11, 2005 They should try to grab TNA from FoxSports and give them 2 hours every Monday Night. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 Where did you get this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooneyTune Report post Posted March 11, 2005 The other topic has Meltzer as the news breaker. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SinToxic 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 I just hope this means more air time for MXC. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuperJerk 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 Anybosy think this will change the quality of the product? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 Not that there's much correlation, but the fall in business began when they moved from USA to Spike. Hopefully this is symbolic of an upswing... Oh, and now I don't have to choose between RAW and the Westminster Dog Show anymore! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 They should try to grab TNA from FoxSports and give them 2 hours every Monday Night. ^^^ TNA should be on the phone now. Hopefully they don't have Dusty Rhoes negotiating... "Let meh lay eet on yah, if you weel, what am talkin' 'bout right hee-ah...." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooneyTune Report post Posted March 11, 2005 Spike TV used to be the Hee-Haw Network, and well... thats Dusty Rhodes personality. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 Dusty Rhodes and the car shows belong together.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuperJerk 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 Not that there's much correlation, but the fall in business began when they moved from USA to Spike. I never found arguments that they were better off on USA to be that convincing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 Not that there's much correlation, but the fall in business began when they moved from USA to Spike. I never found arguments that they were better off on USA to be that convincing. Neither do I, but USA is associated with the glory days and Crazy Vince insists that they lost a good chunk of their audience who didn't have/didn't know about TNN. The fact that this opens up the possibility of TNA going head to head and rekindling the Monday Night Wars really makes me excited. I just hope Spike still wants wrestling and TNA is capable of getting a deal done...both are questionable... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 I just realized Raw is on Spike TV. Spike TV is such a stupid name and they should change it back to TNN when wrestling leaves. Other than the occasional 007 marthon, there is not else to watch on that channel. What if USA does not want them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooneyTune Report post Posted March 11, 2005 No offense, but WWE would slaughter TNA in ratings. It wouldn't be a war, it would be a massacre... and I actually enjoy watching TNA when I can (usually). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 Other than the occasional 007 marthon, there is not else to watch on that channel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Promoter 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 Linda has already stated that there would be news about the tv shows during her press conference. It's likely the wwe gave Spike the news and thus this release(if true). A Massacre might not be that bad for the wwe. I mean look how well it's done for 50 Cent with getting him over a million records sold within days The wwe would love to have a million extra fans added. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
River City Rocker 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 I just hope this means more air time for MXC. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 Not that there's much correlation, but the fall in business began when they moved from USA to Spike. I never found arguments that they were better off on USA to be that convincing. Neither do I, but USA is associated with the glory days and Crazy Vince insists that they lost a good chunk of their audience who didn't have/didn't know about TNN. The fact that this opens up the possibility of TNA going head to head and rekindling the Monday Night Wars really makes me excited. I just hope Spike still wants wrestling and TNA is capable of getting a deal done...both are questionable... If TNA could get on Spike, which odds aren't in their favor, and get PAID to air the show...that can only be a good sign for wrestling. If they can keep the TNA IMPACT show, that is just double the positives for all sides. As for RAW, does this mean USA Network has outbid Spike or that Spike just didn't have interest in giving the WWE an increase in money to sign a new deal? Cause what happens to the WWE if USA NETWORK announces they have no interest in the World Wrestling Entertainment? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hunter's Torn Quad 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 USA do have interest in Raw, and it's more than likely Raw will go back there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Failed Mascot Report post Posted March 11, 2005 No offense, but WWE would slaughter TNA in ratings. Until people that like watching actual wrestling find out what TNA offers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuperJerk 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 As for RAW, does this mean USA Network has outbid Spike or that Spike just didn't have interest in giving the WWE an increase in money to sign a new deal? Cause what happens to the WWE if USA NETWORK announces they have no interest in the World Wrestling Entertainment? I was wondering the same thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Failed Mascot Report post Posted March 11, 2005 Cause what happens to the WWE if USA NETWORK announces they have no interest in the World Wrestling Entertainment? I would imagine it would be moved to the 24/7 Channel that Vince has set-up. It would be his only other option, thus making it so you have to pay for Raw but Smackdown is still free. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooneyTune Report post Posted March 11, 2005 I'm going by the mark POV. Most casual watchers of wrestling probably won't recognize 75% of the TNA roster, and the ones they do have only been seen as midcarders in the big companies (except for Jarrett). Sometimes having star power is as (if not more) important than great wrestling between several Indy wrestlers when trying to get a bigger fanbase. Lure them in with "stars" while dazzling them with great wrestling. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Failed Mascot Report post Posted March 11, 2005 I think most people would still recognise Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, DDP, and the occasional appearences of people like Sting and Savage. Your arguement makes no sense with those people on the roster. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 I'm going by the mark POV. Most casual watchers of wrestling probably won't recognize 75% of the TNA roster, and the ones they do have only been seen as midcarders in the big companies (except for Jarrett). Sometimes having star power is as (if not more) important than great wrestling between several Indy wrestlers when trying to get a bigger fanbase. Lure them in with "stars" while dazzling them with great wrestling. The Observer says the majority of WCW fans just went away when WWE bought them (I don't have figures in front of me), TNA could bring them back in primetime. No one gave WCW much credit or chance even with Hulk Hogan, yet they went out there and when compared to the stale RAW product, provided innovated sets and graphics, a unique form a wrestling and an "anything can happen" feel and won curious fans over. I think the "marks' would flip to check out this other wrestling show on, see a 6 sided ring, tunnel entrances, high flying X division matches and suprise appearences from the likes of Sting and DDP and Randy Savage and stick around.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 And FM...I froze when I read your posts, because you're taking the words out of my mouth. Seriously, leave politics out of it, and we're on the same track... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hunter's Torn Quad 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 If TNA do go to Spike, it'll wind up either launching them into the stratosphere, or killing them dead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2005 If TNA do go to Spike, it'll wind up either launching them into the stratosphere, or killing them dead. Every move they've made since their inception has had the same risk. They're still around... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooneyTune Report post Posted March 11, 2005 Sting hasn't appeared in over a year and Randy Savage was on a handful of times while causing trouble several times for the appearences (and the only notable ones were on PPV). Scott Hall is on-and-off battling demons, and is always a question mark when it comes to appearences. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
