| From WorldWrestlingInsanity.com ZAH
03-03-07
“The sky's the limit, but my plane won't fly.”
Boo-yah, here we go!!
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Item #1 – WWE goin’ global. Wow...I’m glad I had marriage issues or else I would have posted this column yesterday morning and completely missed one of the biggest stories to hit professional wrestling since WCW was purchased by WWE. Good timing, I guess. Anyhoo...
Basically it’s like this...WWE is thinking about creating new promotions (i.e. brands) that will run out of different international markets. In other words they want to create a “Pacific” territory (i.e. Japan, South Korea, China, & Australia), a “Hispanic” territory (i.e. Mexico, Puerto Rico, South America), and a “European” territory (i.e. Ummm...y’know...Europe) to go along with at least two North American brands (SmackDown is being considered for the Hispanic territory due to its current popularity with that demographic so I guess that leaves RAW and ***cough cough*** ECW).
Folks...this could go one of two different ways.
There are definitely strong arguments for each scenario.
People thinking the idea will succeed state that the overall profit margins for international markets are currently “hotter” for WWE than the domestic market (i.e. the U.S. and Canada). PPV buys and sold-out arenas are a sure-tell sign that this idea has legs. Recent tours of Italy and Australia were extremely successful and with little-to-no local promotions with the kind of backing that WWE would provide currently running (and no...All Japan, CMLL, NOAH, AAA, New Japan, etc. wouldn’t have the finances to properly defend themselves against an all-out WWE assault), there would be no real reason to think WWE wouldn’t turn this idea into an extremely successful venture.
Some are adamant that it will fail simply because the lack of success with recent international tours has proven that the draw of WWE can sometimes be tested. Both Japan and Mexico, while still good markets, haven’t recently provided the type of enthusiasm that WWE is used to with those markets. If WWE is already pricing themselves out of hot crowds, why should anybody expect them to be able to run weekly shows and television without over-saturating the market? The international markets do well simply because WWE isn’t there every month so there’s a built-in demand based upon lack of supply (yeah...I knew that my commerce degree would come in handy some day). Not only that, but pretty much everything WWE has tried to accomplish outside of their own niche (ex: XFL, WBF, WWE Films) has been a failure...relatively speaking. Why should anybody in their right mind believe WWE can do things properly with this venture?
The suggestion is to take current WWE stars and send them to different promotions based on wrestling style and/or ethnicity (i.e. Carlito & Super Crazy would work for the Hispanic promotion while William Regal and Paul Burchill would work for the European promotion) and then add local stars to help build more local brand recognition (i.e. Mistico from CMLL and La Parka from AAA in the Hispanic promotion, maybe the current Gaijin group currently working NJPW & AJPW such as Bull Buchanan, D-Lo Brown, Ro’Z, & Giant Bernard for the Pacific promotion).
Obviously, to me at least, a really huge risk here is one based upon “working” and knowing the target audience properly. Should WWE simply shove their own form of “sports entertainment” to each territory regardless of the region's wrestling background (i.e. Puroresu in Japan, Lucha Libre in Mexico)? Should WWE modify their product to meet the presumed demand of each territory and send workers there that could work those styles (i.e. CM Punk could go to the Pacific territory because his style is more Japanese in nature, Nitro could go to the Hispanic territory because he could easily work a Lucha style)? Who is to say that those people who come out to see WWE once or twice a year in their country only do so because it’s nice to see something different once or twice a year? If they have that product every single month would it even have interest?
Well...personally, I think that this is an idea that could absolutely work if done properly. Listen, WWE programming is already shown in all of these countries on a weekly basis anyway so that’s not an issue. With that in mind, if WWE wanted to tape weekly television shows in smaller arenas to help build the local brands then there isn’t really any reason to believe that there wouldn’t be much of a saturation of the market...rather there would be a piqued interest because some more local talent will be showcased on an “international stage”. Since these countries already watch the current WWE style (and with PPV buys and television ratings higher per capital than in the U.S. in most cases), there shouldn’t be a real worry that anybody will throw their arms up in the air when watching, say, La Parka in a dancing contest with Eugene because they should, in reality, already be used to seeing that type of programming.
No...the biggest problem would be with the house shows. Can a smaller, locally-based promotion really be successful if touring constantly around the same territory? I think if WWE lowered their prices (not to mention their expectations), then it can absolutely work. Will 20,000 fans turn out in Sydney once every two months? Probably not. However, there is no reason to believe that they can't pack 5,000-8,000 fans into a smaller arena on a monthly basis in each territory. Is it huge money? Not at first, no. However, given time and patience (something WWE surely lacks), these brands could be built-up into legit big-time money-making promotions and any cross-promoting would be seen as a truly big deal.
Of course, this is ALL purely speculation at this point. There are people claiming that European labor laws wouldn’t allow WWE to hire “independent contractors” so they’d have to alter their employee’s job description definitions. Also, apparently the Yakuza in Japan (i.e. the Japanese Mafia) pretty much run the professional wrestling over there and wouldn’t take too kindly to WWE coming in full-time. Mexican promotions are bat-shit insane and wouldn’t blink an eye in doing anything they could (and I mean anything) to destroy any competition that WWE set up locally.
This is definitely a story to watch closely as it develops. The possibilities are limitless, but the risks are sky-high. While my hopes are up for this idea, I’ll reserve final judgment until permanent decisions are made on WWE’s future.
Still...the possibilities definitely make me drool.
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Item #2 – So who’s gonna win slot six? Jesus...after my previous diatribe on WWE I don’t even care who wins it. I thought the Money In The Bank match was supposed to be six guys. This year we’ve got eight. Isn’t that a bit much for a ladder match? Not only that, but will Booker and Finlay hold back Edge and the Hardyz? Will Punk even get any offense in with Finlay in the match? Questions, questions, questions...
Prediction time...I think Randy Orton will fill-out slot #6. From a storyline perspective I think it makes the most sense. He and Edge will have an interesting dynamic (and a possibility of both Hardyz battling each other is very intriguing) and he needs an opportunity like this to shine...which is something he hasn’t really done since his battles with Mick Foley. Also, I think Orton will be the one to win the match itself. Not only will he win the title shot, but he’ll be the first to use the shot and not win the title.
Just call me Nostradamus.
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Item #3 – The best tag team in the world today is... ...not LAX.
No, kids. The best tag team in the world today is one that only a privileged few have seen. The best tag team in the world doesn’t wrestle for a major promotion like WWE, TNA, NOAH, or CMLL.
WHO DAT??
Well...like I said...nobody really knows who they are outside of ROH fans. Still, once you’ve seen these two guys in action there is really no way you can argue. Seriously. I know that LAX was a hot act last year, but they’re already stale. They’re becoming TNA’s version of La Resistance.
Mark and Jay Briscoe are the real deal. They can mat wrestle, if you really want them to. What they like more, however, is going non-stop with high-impact moves that would normally make any WWE worker look silly by comparison.
Are they high-spot artists? To a point, yes. But unlike 90% of the X-Division, these guys actually know how to use psychology to build matches and then blend that with some incredible action to make crowds jump out of their seats.
They’ve tried to be heels...they get booed most of the time. However, once they’ve finished their matches the crowds normally stand on their feet in appreciation. Sometimes they get cheered more heavily than the babyfaces do.
Anyway...I just wanted to acknowledge their recent ROH tag title victory. These guys are truly what “tag team wrestling” is all about and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see both of them with a WWE developmental contract in their hands before 2007 is over.
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Item #4 – He likes it...he really likes it! Y’know, when you and the wife are arguing, all it really takes it a dose of professional wrestling to really help you forget the troubles. For me, I sat back and watched RAW, Impact, SmackDown, and ROH’s Final Battle 2006. I’ll tell ya...I don’t even know I’m married at this point.
I could break down each show but there’s really no reason. Still...
RAW was solidly entertaining from top to bottom. Even the Vince/Donald segment didn’t go on too long (which is really did on SmackDown) and the storylines progressed smoothly all around. Hell, even the Chris Masters segment was interesting as I didn’t know what WWE was trying to do with Khali until Kane arrived.
With Impact, I could talk about some of the things I absolutely despised (Ron Killings needs to quit TNA tomorrow and have no regrets...anything involving Eric Young and Robert Roode...Team 3-D vs. LAX) but I think it’s also good to point out the positives. Samoa Joe’s verbal bitch-slap of Abyss was spot-on. The X-Division match actually had a flow to it and was well put-together, helping to push storylines (Jay “Macho Man” Lethal, Senshi vs. Austin Starr, Jerry Lynn vs. Chris “I’m boring as hell” Sabin) without forcing the issue. I enjoyed the Angle/Steiner/Cornette dynamic (is Cornette turning heel here?). Heck...I even enjoyed the Tomko victory over Samoa Joe (when you look at the storyline, it makes perfect sense). Overall, it was one of TNA’s better shows in quite some time.
SmackDown had its highs (Matt Hardy vs. Joey Mercury, Chris Benoit vs. MVP vs. Finlay) and some lows (McMahon going on and on and....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz), but overall it was another entertaining program that kept me entertained for the majority of the show.
Final Battle 2006 was pretty much what I expected...one of the best shows ROH put on all year long. Any time ROH comes to New York City it’s going to be a big deal. Seeing Homicide win the ROH title in his home town really was amazing to watch. Not only that, but watching everybody from the Briscoes to El Generico really impressed the hell out of me. The wrestling, as usual, was top notch but the storylines were especially good and realistic (Jimmy Rave’s quest for respect vs. Nigel McGuiness is already a front-runner for Feud of the Year).
I didn’t catch ECW, but I hear it didn’t completely suck, either. Is it just me, or does the wrestling world as a whole try to get better around WrestleMania time? I don’t mind. If each wrestling program continues to put on entertainment like they did this past week then I fully expect a wrestling resurrection in 2007.
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Item #5 – Add Christopher Daniels to the ROH exodus list. Much like Samoa Joe, Ring of Honor is phasing out one of their regulars because of TNA commitments. It really isn’t the commitments, though...it’s the money. Y’see, both Joe and Daniels (not to mention Austin Aries and Homicide) are currently working for less money in ROH than TNA could book them for elsewhere (hence, AJ Styles isn’t doing ROH work anymore). Not only that, but TNA has plans for both men (a title run for Joe, a new gimmick for Daniels) and they don’t like not being in control of the matches of their top stars when they work elsewhere.
Will Christopher Daniels still make occasional appearances for ROH? Sure...and so will Joe, too (yes kids...you probably will see a Samoa Joe vs. Takeshi Morishima match for the ROH title sometime in 2007). It’s just a sad part of business that both men won’t be able to work ROH on a weekly basis like they have thus far in their careers (and let’s face it...ROH made both men’s careers and allowed them to become stars in TNA).
The great thing is that Gabe Saposky knows that ROH needs to focus on different talent to remain successful. He’s got a LOT of plans for 2007 and they’re all exciting to me (ex: going to Japan and promoting two ROH shows over there in conjunction with NOAH and Dragon Gate) so I don’t fear that ROH will suffer at all. The great thing about ROH right now is that their core fan base buy the DVD’s because they know they’ll get awesome wrestling matches, regardless of who’s actually wrestling. That won’t be changing in 2007.
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Item #6 – This song is haunting my dreams. And dammit...I absolutely love it. Please mommy...make the lambs stop screaming. Well...at least I’ve got this song to help bring me back to reality.
*** Item # 7 – LOSER OF THE WEEK. Each and every week, I pick somebody (not necessarily always from wrestling) who has either acted in a dumb way, said something stupid, or generally was an idiot in some way, shape, or form. This week is a pick by default. Nobody else got fired this week so therefore, folks, ZAH’s Loser of the Week simply has to be...
Andrew “Test” Martin!!!
Basically, Test failed the test (I never tire of that one). He had some “wellness policy” issues and was suspended. When WWE realized that he was suspended for the only reason he was re-hired in the first place (i.e. his fake jacked-up physique), they came to their senses and fired him for sucking (presumably...I can’t think of any other better reason).
Anyway...it’s a matter of getting straight to the point this week. Andrew “Test” Martin, congrats on pumping too many steroids into your system and subsequently getting your ass canned. You, sir, are my Loser of the Week!
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Pillar to Post
Each and every week I’ll take three statements that you, the WorldWrestlingInsanity.com readers, have submitted on the hot topics du jour and then get two or three volunteers to give their thoughts and insight. Ladies and gentlemen, this week (and I encourage every reader to throw me an e-mail and volunteer), I was able to find two great World Wrestling Insanity readers in T-Dog, tmcmaster,& kat_bb3!
1. Agree or Disagree
T-Dog: Agree partially, but I think WWE also realized Test wasn’t exactly the “Impact Player” his character said he was in ECW. He really made Lashley, who was hot off his recent Smackdown feuds with Booker and Finlay, into a forgettable champion. I’m not totally convinced he was fired just because of the wellness violation, it does show some sort of dedication to it.
tmcmaster: Disagree - But, oh how I wish that were true.
The bottom line is that if Test was more over, he would still be with WWE. Maybe if he were a little more willing to play ball he'd still be employed. Having listened to the Kevin Kelly show with JG already this week, nothing that I say can be any more eloquent than Kevin put it. Kelly's points (roughly) included that if Test wasn't so 'flagrant' about his use of the stuff, he might have just been punished internally for it. I don't know if I agree so much with that, but when the guy looks like he has topographical map of the Andes on his back, there is some cause for concern. I have always liked the Test character. Granted, that puts me in the minority, and I didn't think he was a good fit for anything with any ties to the REAL ECW, but he could have been a good tag team guy with the right partner or a decent mid-card feeder guy, sort of an "Iron" Mike Sharp for this generation.
Tests promos weren't great, but they were at least in English (or Canadian, eh... eh...eh? Sorry, ZAH!) He could work a decent match with a decent opponent. He wasn't Ric Flair caliber, but who is? I think Test has been sort of scapegoated the way Heyman was. Test/Sandman could have been a decent mid-card program, as Test/Sabu could have been a good 'Extreme Rules' program, given the opportunity. But does this speak more of Tests' ability or lack of, or the WWE's sporadic use of the 'Wellness Program?' No one is going to tell me that Bobby Lashey got that way with simple 'hard work and vitamins.' Sorry, I was born at night, but not last night. If Vince and the WWE really cared about the wrestlers (I refuse to call them "The Boys," since I am not one of them!!!), he would test them all, and have a discreet plan in place to get them off the stuff, and into a treatment program, even if that just means talking to a mentor or someone that has been down that road. For the 'roids it could be Gregg Valentino. For the other substances, he could surely find a 12-step survivor that could just talk to them, and explain the perils in a way that doesn't subject them to potential termination for admitting they have a problem. The 'Wellness Program' was and is a frigging joke, and is used as an out for workers that Vince or Johnny has deemed not worth the effort. Andrew Martin isn't the first 'victim,' and he surely will not be the last. And that, my friends, is sad.
kat_bb3: Disagree.
He was jacked up, in my opinion, when they hired him. Although now it can give them legitimate ways to release people and not have it appear as though they simply lost interest in him. For the Wellness Policy to be seen as effective you can not have Masters for example shrinking and expanding at random. We are not dumb and we can easily see what is happening and yet he is still performing. If the WWE truly cared for its performers they would tackle the insurance issues as well as enforce the Wellness Policy, but that is another question all together.
2. Agree or Disagree
T-Dog: Disagree.
It will be there barring some big chance within WWE. It isn’t “must see” TV, and it isn’t terrible as it was pre-Royal Rumble, it’s just fine. However with it being a glorified OVW, it doesn’t say much to what the company thinks of the product. The New Breed vs. Originals feud could be a good feud, but it’s nothing that I have to turn from WSX to watch. It might even change time slots if necessary, but it’ll take a lot for Vince to disband it since he takes so much pride in his promotion.
tmcmaster: Agree.
ECW ceased to be in 2001. WWECW is unmitigated poop. That is to say nothing of the wrestlers working that brand/show. The workers are busting their asses in the spot they are in (most are, as I see it anyway) and are doing their job to the best of their ability and should be applauded for it. There are a few stars that could really be developed into something with some time and proper guidance. Matt Stryker is a throwback cowardly heel of the first order, and I am totally into what he is doing. He can actually work, too, always a plus. Lashley is improving, but is in no way ready or able to carry a promotion. CM Punk is what he is, and was much better as a heel in RoH (given my limited knowledge of RoH, I am going by the few DVDs I have seen, but he was gold!) that as an over jobber. If (and that is a HUGE IF), but if Vince wants ECW to survive past the remainder of the Sci-Fi TV deal, he needs to do what TNA needs to do, and establish it's own identity. Why not combine the aspects of what made the real ECW so special and the WWECW product? Run ECW in separate halls, in smaller towns, and cross paths with SmackDown just before a PPV to emphasis how important that PPV is? Or run into the RAW brand on occasion, and I mean twice a year, tops, to try and pop ratings? I liked the low-rent production of the real ECW. It made me feel like I was right there in the arena/gym/bingo hall with them. It made me feel like I could be part of the show. The mo's writing for WWECW need to go back and watch "The Rise and Fall of ECW," and really listen to the passion and love for ECW that all those involved had for it. Granted, the real ECW went tits up fast, but Vince, despite what he has publicly, is largely responsible for that. If the real ECW had a TV deal even remotely close to what WCW had, they would be either pressing Vince for the #1 promotion in North America, or Vince would be looking up at ECW. This incarnation of WWECW has a fan base that is largely comprised of WWE fans, and has not made any 'new' fans. Truthfully, they lost me as a fan. I was pumped for the return of ECW, especially with Paul E. as the on-camera figurehead. But, mistake after mistake, after lame booking decision have pushed me to the point of openly opposing WWECW in its current form. Not only do I think it will be over in 6 months, I actively HOPE that it is.
kat_bb3: Agree with a ‘but’.
If things keep on the path they are now there is little debate that they will be dropped. However there is hope that with a strong ECW showing at WrestleMania 23, that there will be renewed interest. If they decide to change the name, that too could renew interest in the performers. Right now it has no brand identity at all…it is basically the show where Raw gets extended to with a dash of CM Punk. There is nothing distinctive about it and calling it ECW, has hindered its growth. Rename it and stop cross branding it and there might be hope.
3. Agree or Disagree
T-Dog: Disagree.
If TNA went through all these cost cutting measures lately and then sign Hogan for God-knows how much he‘ll get, it defeats the purpose of cost cutting to being with. He can draw in viewers, but he can do only so much doing the same shtick. Look at pre nWo WCW. It did nothing for them besides make Flair, Vader and about 30 mid-carders look like chumps and shot itself in the foot. And I really think TNA and Hogan aren’t going to do something that revolutionizes the business like the nWo. He’d come out and do his posing and stuff and limp around.
tmcmaster: Both agree and disagree. I am a huge TNA mark, and I make no bones about it. I want them to succeed. I buy the PPV’s; I watch the show every Thursday night. I watch the replay on Saturday night. I was at the "Hardcore War" show at the old ECW arena. I buy the T-shirts and DVD's. The problem is, and pretty much the entire IWC has called them on this, they are trying to be WWE-lite. The 6 sided ring is a good first step. But they need to worry more about creating their own action and creating home-grown stars, than picking up every piece of flotsam and jetsam WWE cast off. Now, Kurt Angle is a great acquisition. What happened to the ratings when he came on board? Christian Cage has been one of my all time favorite workers since just after the Brood. I think in his current role, Steiner can be good again. But the ratings are just not popping. TNA already did business with Hogan, once, and I don't remember the exact reason, probably Jeff Jarrett or Vince's money, but they couldn't turn it into a long term relationship. Hogan is smart. He knows he has 1 maybe 2 matches left in the tank at best. There are no more 'Dream matches' starring Brooke's dad anymore. Vince took care of that. Really, the only match I would actually pay to see would be either:
2. Hogan VS Samoa Joe in a shoot.
kat_bb3: Agree.
I could not agree more. I am not the biggest Hulk-a-maniac in the world but the thought of Hulk Hogan snubbing Vince like that makes me all sorts of giddy. I think it could be very good for TNA. Especially given the episode of “Hogan Knows Best” where Vince seemed almost desperate to get his hands on the money machine that is Hulk Hogan. Imagine the income he could generate, imagine the interest they could generate if they managed to keep it quiet. Let’s face it regardless of how you feel about his continued wrestling; all of us mark-out and pop a little where he is concerned, period.
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Wow...great job everybody!! I’m looking forward to seeing who gets to join me as a guest columnist next week.
No problem. Seriously...it’s not a problem at all. Really...let me know RIGHT NOW!! You can let me know either by e-mailing me at Zah@worldwrestlinginsanity.com or hitting me up at ZAH Nation, found in the Insanity Message Board and letting me know that you’d like to participate. Also, don’t forget to stop by my MySpace page and add me.
So until next week…
L8R
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