WWE Goin' All O'er the World!!

[BUTT 0]

'The new CFO of WWE, Michael Selick, revealed in Financial Week that the company is exploring the possibility of establishing separate WWE promotions running full-time in separate international markets. If everything went ahead it would go so far as to include separate TV tapings and storylines for each region, turning WWE from an overseas novelty into a local promotion.

 

Things are still in the preliminary stages but Vince McMahon has discussed it in detail with Stephanie, John Laurinaitis and others in the inner circle. The territories mentioned include a 'Pacific' region covering Japan, South Korea, China and Australia, a 'Hispanic' territory for Puerto Rico, Mexico and South America, and a European territory, with perhaps a Russian one at a later date. Meanwhile, in the USA, there would be two touring brands, most likely Raw and ECW, with Smackdown becoming the Hispanic brand as it is already well established in the market. Big pay increases would be given to senior agents and creative team members to move themselves and their families overseas, with potential performance bonuses depending on how well business goes. It would start off with a TV executive producer with experience of the region working closely with one agent and one writer who would be running the territory. There would also be a crew of wrestlers, who would also be expected to move their families overseas. Paul Heyman's name has actually been mentioned in connection to the Pacific region.

 

Shane McMahon, along with Selick, is working on a business plan for the venture, which remains in its formative stages. Potential drawbacks include the cost of producing WWE calibre shows, around $500,000 per week, and how TV stations in areas like Mexico would respond to the price. There is also the danger of international markets already beginning to get overexposed. Recent Japanese tours have not performed particularly well, there were concerns over the number of Australian tours, while advances for the next batch of Mexican dates have been well below expectations. Also, though WWE can get away with charging high prices for their shows at the moment as it is a novelty, doing so repeatedly would not help when taking on promotions like CMLL or AAA.

 

If it did come to pass then a lot of new wrestlers would of course be hired, as there would be a minimum of five brands. They are looking at promoting each market using both established WWE stars and top babyfaces based on ethnic backgrounds. Carlito, Mistico and Mysterio would be assigned to the Hispanic brand as top stars, they would look for a top Asian and Australian babyface, and guys like Regal, Finlay, Harry Smith and Paul Burchill could be assigned major roles in Europe. They would also likely raid the local markets in Japan and Mexico, whilst bringing back more of the '80s and '90s stars to make up the numbers. The only sure thing about the creative team members is that neither Stephanie McMahon nor Brian Gerwitz would work internationally. Gerwitz would likely become the chief writer of the USA brands, while Stephanie would hire more TV writers with Hollywood experience. Word is that the interntaionaly territories would be handled by Shane, with Vince concentrating on domestic business, though many have suggested that Vince's personality means he would want to be involved everywhere anyway.

 

Credit: Wrestling Observer newsletter

[Just John 0]

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

I really can't imagine this working. Don't they have enough trouble balancing 3 American brands?

[naiwf 0]

Dumbest idea ever from the suits in Stamford. They can't put on entertaining TV in the US anymore, but they want to create separate promotions across the globe? That's genius right there.

[Black Lushus 0]

It can work, but they have to cater to those markets...not everyone wants to see WWE style wrestling on a long term basis.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I just want to know if they will broadcast those European/Hispanic/Pacific brand shows here in America too.

[Black Lushus 0]

I just want to know if they will broadcast those European/Hispanic/Pacific brand shows here in America too.

 

good question...I would hope so...it would suck not seeing guys like Mistico, Rey Mysterio etc. AT ALL anymore, you know?

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Its obvious they want to tap the international markets without having to ship RAW/SD wrestlers around the globe every other month, which is probably really costly and wears down the wrestlers that make the trips.

 

and Im sure those with WWF 24/7 would be able to see something..

[Black Lushus 0]

yeah, WWE 24/7 would be great and all...if they'd update that shit as frequently as they should be updating it.

 

and if you read the article, it states that those guys would be assigned to those brands, meaning they'd be the regular stars over there...not every so often stars.

 

Shane handling those markets would probably be a good thing.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

It's an excellent idea in theory, but it will take a lot of long-term planning and market research. They can't just show up one day in these foreign markets and expect to make millions. I'm not sure the existing corporate structure could handle such a fragmented operation.

 

The WWE product could do really well in these countries where the style and writing is not overexposed. Wasn't it Rikishi who went into Italy a year or two ago with a WWE-style product that got over like gangbusters? It would probably help the American brands as well to break up the monotony and send some of these guys to work out overseas.

 

But, as was stated in an earlier post, I'll believe it when I see it.

[Dandy 0]

Wow, if WWE goes worldwide like that, they really need to pursue locking in WWE 24/7 as a cable company. They could air all the different territories' shows, have original programming for each territory, continue the current shows that are popular on 24/7, etc. Also, I think it would make Wrestlemania a huge event with all the crossover match-ups you could have.

 

It sounds like a longshot, but I believe it would still turn a profit. All they would need is some key defections from Japan and Mexico.

 

 

 

That was my response in CWDWAT, before this got it's own topic. Allow me to add that if this went through, I hope that all the technical wrestlers would not leave the American brand(s) because they are needed in Japan, Mexico, and Europe. If we get to keep nothing but gimmick-heavy or one dimensional wrestlers, this is going to suck.

[Darthtiki 0]

I see this if it gets out of the idea stage as being a very large gamble and if it does backfire it will be on such a scale that makes the XFL look like a success.

[razazteca 0]

So are they going to bring back the European Championship and make the Intercontinental Championship actually be defended in Brazil, Honduras, Peru, Mexico?!?!

[Black Lushus 0]

maybe the world titles can be defended over there so they can, you know, really be called "world" titles.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

maybe the world titles can be defended over there so they can, you know, really be called "world" titles.

 

I'd mark out if they did a title change in Rio de Janeiro.

[razazteca 0]

It gets defended at Manchester, London, Sydney, Tokyo once a year on the very special edition of Raw is enough to give the self appointed HHH gold belt crediblity!

[k thx 0]

It would need some stars going to different territories on a regular bais (eg Mysterio to the States, Cena to Pacific etc), but if they go through with this, I'd love it. I'm guessing the Pacific and European territories would be 1 hour shows. It would be good for wrestling, as it increases global popularity, while decreasing the oversaturation of the US market. If they do supershow PPVs, it'd be awesome.

 

Nathan Jones must be licking his lips.

[razazteca 0]

I wanna see WWE bring back the midget championship and have it defended in the Mexico territory that way I can see the greatest series of mini matches in the history of pro wrestling Leprechaun & Mini Booger Man vs Chucky & La Parkacita!

[daileyxplanet 0]

I could see this becoming the next generation of territories.

[cabbageboy 0]

I can't see this being a series of promotions done for overseas markets. I bet they try to be WWE style wrestling and then nobody will care overseas at all. Then what if the WWE Japan or WWE Mexico becomes a better show than Raw? Will Vince sabotage the brand to keep Raw on top?

 

This sounds like a really bad idea to me. If it's just kept to a feeder system to develop some guys and send intl. talent to the main roster, it might work. If they try to actually start new promotions in all these places it's likely to flop.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

Like I said in the other thread, WWE is on it's way to becoming a new NWA anyway, with already having three "brands." May as well take the next step. From the article, it sounds like they know this is going to take a lot of research and planning. They aren't just going to send a bunch of guys to Japan next month to start doing shows in local gyms or something.

[Mecca 0]

I can't see this being a series of promotions done for overseas markets. I bet they try to be WWE style wrestling and then nobody will care overseas at all. Then what if the WWE Japan or WWE Mexico becomes a better show than Raw? Will Vince sabotage the brand to keep Raw on top?

 

This sounds like a really bad idea to me. If it's just kept to a feeder system to develop some guys and send intl. talent to the main roster, it might work. If they try to actually start new promotions in all these places it's likely to flop.

 

I doubt anyone here would ever know about WWE Japan or Mexico, it's not like it would air on TV here unless you had WWE 24/7, atleast that's my guess.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

With the exception of DVDs, international touring is the money maker for the WWE these days. They probably figured that it would be more sensible to establish overseas companies than it would be taking the roster over there every month.

 

For everyone saying they shouldn't do this because they can't run three brands isn't paying close enough attention. Yes, the quality of the programs is down and certain revenue streams have dried up, but this company is still run extremely well and they make money hand over fist. Expansion into foreign markets is a savvy move.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

It's not like WWE isn't already popular overseas. I mean, they do sell huge numbers of tickets when they go to Japan and Mexico, etc.

[Corkscrew_Senton 0]

WWE Japan featuring that wacky Shinsuke Nakamura as an 80s-rock-obsessed party animal! WWE Mexico featuring that can't-get-along tag team of Brazo de Plata and Cibernetico! WWE Europe with Paul The Pirate battling Doug Williams (complete with "boring" gimmick)!

 

Yeah, fuck that. I'd rather WWE keep its shitty-9-months-out-of-the-year style (I'll give it its due for being solid right now) stateside than having my Internet bastions SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT'ized.

 

Oh, and raza? The bookers wouldn't be smart enough to put on good minis matches. Mascarita Sagrada would get heat for not working the WWE style Everyone would be lining up at Arena Mexico to see him doing restholds!

[Celtic Guardian 0]

I can't see this being a series of promotions done for overseas markets. I bet they try to be WWE style wrestling and then nobody will care overseas at all. Then what if the WWE Japan or WWE Mexico becomes a better show than Raw? Will Vince sabotage the brand to keep Raw on top?

 

WWE should try to be WWE overseas. The Japanese WWE fans have tended to want the same sports entertainment experience that American fans get anyway with the same "superstars" like John Cena, Undertaker and so forth. Maybe the WWE can make new brands but there's no need to divide them up by ethnic boundries.

[Kizzo 0]

Not a bad idea at all...

 

But they will have to do extensive research in all markets.. this can't happen overnight. They will have to do long term planning and be committed to this project if they want success...from reading the article it seems they will take the long term approach to this project. If this turns out well for them... this will be HUGE for WWE Corp.

 

Expanding your company outside the US is very good. If it is executed well.

[naiwf 0]

It's not like WWE isn't already popular overseas. I mean, they do sell huge numbers of tickets when they go to Japan and Mexico, etc.

 

Because they're not there 48-50 weeks out of the year. The WWE succeeds overseas because the fans are rabid for just a taste of action since it's so rare. They too will get bored quickly if there are TV shows/cards in the area on a weekly basis with an artificially limited roster.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

Eh, from what I understand, WWE TV shows do pretty good ratings overseas...simple business practices would say that if people are watching your programs and going to the shows you do run, it makes sense to give them more of what they want.

[Red Baron 0]

Agreed with Naiwf on that last statement.

[UZI Suicide 0]

How they work out the TV would be interesting. American fans would be pissed if people like Mysterio, Carlito, Finlay, etc. were only able to be seen in the country their brand is located in.