The Wrestling News Experience: 10.12.09
Posted by Stephen Randle on 10.12.2009
In this Experience, we have a preview for Raw is Access Hollywood, plus possible WWE returns, a potential buyer for Flair's NWA title, easy jokes about PPV re-naming, and why is WWE going PG again?
Monday, October 12th, 2009
From 411Mania's Canadian offices in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, this is The Wrestling News Experience, with Stephen Randle!
Still In 2-D!!!
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Experience. I am Stephen Randle, and a Happy Real Thanksgiving to all you Canadians out there. I'm all full of turkey, so make up your own monologue.
Hey, it's still funnier than Jay Leno.
Moving on.
Tonight's Host: We're here to lay the Smackdown on Mary Hart!
Last week, Randy Orton and John Cena agreed to settle their differences once and for all in the longest possible match in professional wrestling: the 60-minute Iron Man match. Orton then added another wrinkle, as he demanded the match be no DQ, no count-out, anything goes, creating the potential for one of the most brutal matches in WWE history. But you can be sure that Orton has plans to ensure that Cena doesn't make it to Bragging Rights at 100% capacity, especially with Cena's spot on the Raw roster thrown into the mix. What will the Viper have in store for everyone's favourite Doctor of Thuganomics this week?
Meanwhile, The Miz finally achieved his goal of capturing the United States championship from Kofi Kingston, apparently discovering that Kingston's weakness lies in one-on-one affairs. Will Miz grant the West African Sensation a rematch for the title, or will a new challenger arise to meet the former reality TV star turned awesome pro wrestler?
Plus, the differences between Chavo Guerrero and Hornswoggle don't look to be settled yet. At least they shouldn't be, because having Hornswoggle give Chavo the DX chop seems like the lamest possible result they could come up with. Maybe we'll see more, plus there's plenty of opportunities for Santino to mispronounce Maria Menounos' name, tonight on Raw!
Return Of The King
News is filtering through the grapevine that Booker T is looking to get out of TNA once his contract expires, and he's made no secret about the fact that he'd like to go back to WWE. And on the way out, Booker apparently refused to put over rising star Matt Morgan, who had, by some coincidence, just signed a five-year extension with the company, at the last Impact tapings.
So, with that said, here's something to think about. Why would WWE want Booker T back? He left under less-than-genial circumstances, and spent a lot of time bad-mouthing WWE to the wrestling media. Also, he's made no secret of the fact that he was suspended for marijuana use and he's not exactly willing to give that up. In addition, he's an aging wrestler who probably wouldn't have any particular effect on buyrates and would just take a spot away from a younger and probably cheaper wrestler that would fill the same role.
Plus, Alicia Fox already stole his finisher.
Youuuuumannnnnnga!
Speaking of potential returns, apparently Umaga cancelled a shoot interview taping due to the fact he will be coming back to WWE, ending the long national nightmare of a WWE organization without at least one Samoan on the roster.
Let's see, in his initial debut he played a Samoan street gang member, and then he got fired for assaulting a police officer. Then he came back and played a savage barbarian who didn't speak English until one day he did. What other gimmicks do we have left in the "stereotypical Samoan" lexicon? I do hope this time we get "Makin' A Difference" Umaga.
A Thought Occurs
So, in a continuation of the story that broke last week, it seems that Ric Flair has failed to come through with the payments demanded by Highspots, and they have officially begun an auction for the historically significant NWA Heavyweight title worn by some of the biggest names in pro wrestling. In fact, it is known that they already have had at least one bid of at least $75,000 for the title that represent a large piece of NWA history. Yes, whomever owned this NWA title would definitely hold a big historical artifact, suitable for display at any sort of wrestling Hall of Fame they might be planning to build. Hey, do we know anyone who enjoys buying up everything related to pro-wrestling, has all the archived footage and most of the memorabilia required to put together a hall of fame, likes reminding people that he owns the history of nearly every major wrestling federation in North America, and is some sort of evil billionaire with lots of money to burn?
WWE: Generic PPV
In news that shouldn't be shocking to anyone with an IQ over 80, which, apparently rules out anyone actually on the WWE Creative team, WWE has changed the name of their annual No Way Out PPV to…drumroll, please…Elimination Chamber, thus ensuring that yet another PPV Roundtable will be spent trying to determine which matches actually take place under the gimmick match rules and which just take place on the PPV with the same name as the gimmick match. Also, it makes sure that the Creative team never has to think too hard for yet another PPV, since they just have to throw both World title matches into the standard gimmick for the show and take an early lunch. I mean, they could come up with innovative, industry-changing storylines, gimmicks, and matchups, but then again, an early lunch doesn't come around every day. Unless, as we've just covered, you work for WWE Creative.
Having Your Cake And Making Dick Jokes Too
The following is courtesy of an interview with Vince McMahon in the Mercury News about WWE's decision to shift to PG programming.
"We just followed our audience and tried to listen to them. It's a more sophisticated product. It's just the right move business-wise, but more specifically the right move in terms of reaching our audience."
Interesting, and a good business decision. After all, you'd hardly want to market your product to the smallest number of people that are watching your programming. I mean, that's why you don't pay any attention at all to the Internet wrestling media, right?
Well, not exactly.
The following statement is taken directly from WWE's own corporate site, listed under their "Did You Know" section.
"Over 70% of the WWE audience is 18 and over"
Now, I'm not great at math...actually, I am. But I'm fairly sure someone who wasn't great at math could probably eventually work out that 30% is pretty far from a majority. But hey, at least we're getting a "more sophisticated product" as a result. I mean, I saw 40-year olds wearing t-shirts with thinly veiled penis jokes emblazoned on them as the focal point of Raw last week, but maybe Vince thinks that Chris Jericho using a new big word every week to insult the fans constitutes "sophistication".
And since when do kids under 18 demand a sophisticated product? I'm pretty sure you'd actually draw them in with cheap toilet humour and women in skimpy clothing. Hell, Kevin Smith makes a fairly good living doing that.
By the way, Vince also had this to say about UFC and MMA:
"You really can't compete with that. Why not deliver a more sophisticated product and not go to those extremes? If the audience wants those extremes, they know where to go and how to get it."
Well, that's a novel marketing idea. "We know UFC draws money and could do similar things, but we're not going to because apparently pro wrestling is the high moral ground now, and also we're allergic to money and unbridled success. So if you don't like the product, go watch something else." Telling fans that you don't need them, yeah, that's a gutsy way to go, all right. Let's see how that pans out for them.
Inactive List as of 10.05.09
WWE Raw
- Maryse, out indefinitely as of July 28th (knee surgery)
- Kelly Kelly, day-to-day as of September 11th (knee)
WWE SmackDown
- Edge, out indefinitely as of July 4th (torn Achilles tendon)
- The Great Khali, out indefinitely as of September 15th (knee surgery)
ECW
- No reported injuries
TNA
- Jeff Jarrett, out indefinitely as of July 21st (self-imposed suspension)
Transactions
- Gail Kim, RAW, day-to-day as of October 5th (ruptured implant)
So, did the entire Diva roster get their boobs from the K-Mart "blue light" bargain bin?
WWE
WWE Champion: Randy Orton
- 8 day reign, defeated John Cena in a Hell in a Cell Match on October 4th (Hell in a Cell PPV)
- Next title defense: vs John Cena, "Anything Goes" Iron Man Match, Bragging Rights PPV
World Heavyweight Champion: The Undertaker
- 8 day reign, defeated CM Punk in a Hell in a Cell Match on October 4th (Hell in a Cell PPV)
- Next title defense: vs CM Punk, Batista, and Rey Mysterio, Fatal Four-Way Match, Bragging Rights PPV
ECW Champion: Christian
- 78 day reign, defeated Tommy Dreamer on July 26th (Night of Champions PPV)
WWE Intercontinental Champion: John Morrison
- 38 day reign, defeated Rey Mysterio on September 4th (Smackdown)
**NEW** WWE United States Champion: The Miz
- 7 day reign, defeated Kofi Kingston on October 5th (Raw)
WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions: Chris Jericho and The Big Show
- 78 day reign (as team of Chris Jericho and Big Show), The Big Show named as replacement for former champion Edge on July 26th (Night of Champions PPV)
- 38 day reign (as team of Chris Jericho and Edge), defeated former champions The Colons and Legacy in a Triple Threat Match on June 28th (The Bash PPV)
WWE Women's Champion: Michelle McCool
- 106 day reign, defeated Melina on June 28th (The Bash PPV)
WWE Diva's Champion: Mickie James
- 78 day reign, defeated Maryse on July 26th (Night of Champions PPV)
TNA
TNA Heavyweight Champion: AJ Styles
- 22 day reign, defeated former champion Kurt Angle, Matt Morgan, Hernandez, and Sting in a Five-Way Match on September 20th (No Surrender PPV)
- Next title defense: vs Sting, Bound For Glory PPV
TNA Tag Team Champions: Scott Steiner and Booker T
- 85 day reign, defeated Beer Money, Inc. on July 19th (Victory Road PPV)
**NEW** TNA X-Division Champion: Amazing Red
- 4 day reign, defeated Samoa Joe on October 8th (Impact)
TNA Knockouts Champion: ODB
- 57 day reign, with Cody Deaner, defeated former champion Angelina Love and Velvet Sky in a tag match on August 16th (Hard Justice PPV)
TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions: Taylor Wilde and Sarita
- 22 day reign, defeated The Beautiful People (Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne) to win the newly created title on September 20th (No Surrender PPV)
TNA Legends Champion: Kevin Nash
- 57 day reign, defeated Mick Foley on August 16th (Hard Justice PPV)
The Triple Threat talks about all the WWE Title changes in the last year.
And Larry has the 4 R's of Wrestling – Monday Edition.
Apparently everyone else took the week off. You see how dedicated I am?
411 will have live coverage of Raw tonight starting at 9 pm EDT.
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And for the drunken ramblings of Sean Carless and his merry band of reprobates, check out The Wrestling Fan.
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Posted By: Guest#6819 (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 01:47 AM
There's a slight problem with your marketing theory. The audience Vince is trying to reach is the audience not watching the product - mainly because they're under 14 and their parents don't want them watching "that show with the dirty jokes and the Playboy centerfolds". You look at the numbers as 30% of the audience being younger than 18; Vince probably sees them as "only 30%" being under 18.
Posted By: ThatDonGuy (Registered) on October 12, 2009 at 01:57 AM
Two things here:
1. WWE has sent out a survey to pick a new name for the Judgment Day PPV, which has 'WWE War Games' as an option, and the rest are terrible, so vote, vote, vote for War Games.
2. Another reliable site is speculating that Mick Foley did not want to put Matt Morgan over at the last set of tapings, hence why two versions of last Thursday's tag match involving the two was taped. Ultimately, the one where Foley was pinned by Morgan was shown, thus taking Booker's spot as laying down for 'The Blueprint', which has been reported on.
Before bashing Booker for not wanting to let Morgan pin him on iMPACT, ask yourself why Foley would object to it as well? Maybe the two veterans know that Morgan isn't worth it....???
Posted By: WATRY (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 02:43 AM
I notice you're still posting Kelly Kelly as on the injured list despite the fact that SHE WAS IN A MATCH ON LAST WEEK'S RAW!!!
Posted By: rorster1986 (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 02:57 AM
This PG WWE will last at least until Linda McMahon's senate campaign is over. That is why this PG WWE is taking place, no other reason.
Heaven help us if she does get in, because WWE will be PG for her entire term.
If she doesn't I guarantee we suddenly get non-PG WWE again.
Posted By: Guest of doom (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 05:07 AM
"Over 70% of the WWE audience is 18 and over"
Maybe I'm missing your point, but a PG rating doesn't mean something is intended entirely for children, it just means children can watch it too.
Posted By: skinner (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 05:25 AM
"Last week, Randy Orton and John Cena agreed to settle their differences once and for all in the longest possible match in professional wrestling: the 60-minute Iron Man match."
Correction: The longest possible match is an ordinary 1920s main event
Posted By: diz (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 08:51 AM
Well the 30% are the ppl that get their parents to buy toys, merchandise, and PPVs. Also advertisers prefer to market towards kids as it is a better demographic than males 18-34. This leads to more advertising revenue to Vince.
If you don't like WWE going PG then blame yourselves for watching PPV's on streams and not buying merchandise.
Posted By: Bunhouse Buck (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 09:36 AM
Before bashing Booker for not wanting to let Morgan pin him on iMPACT, ask yourself why Foley would object to it as well? Maybe the two veterans know that Morgan isn't worth it....???
Posted By: WATRY (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 02:43 AM
I think it is similar to the Austin/Lesnar thing. The veterans don't mind putting over the young guys, but they don't want to do it in some regular 4min match on free TV as it helps nobody.
Posted By: Bunkhouse Buck (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 09:38 AM
"2. Another reliable site is speculating that Mick Foley did not want to put Matt Morgan over at the last set of tapings, hence why two versions of last Thursday's tag match involving the two was taped. Ultimately, the one where Foley was pinned by Morgan was shown, thus taking Booker's spot as laying down for 'The Blueprint', which has been reported on.
Before bashing Booker for not wanting to let Morgan pin him on iMPACT, ask yourself why Foley would object to it as well? Maybe the two veterans know that Morgan isn't worth it....???"
Yet Kurt Angle, a wrestler (who is far better than either Foley or Booker) who seems to have a lot of pull within TNA is willing to get into a program with Morgan. And he has made Morgan look pretty good so far. That tells me more about Foley and Booker, than it says about Morgan.
The majority of the WWE fanbase is over 18. But who is buying the merchandise? The only +18 year olds I see wearing WWE stuff are parents of those under 18 year old fans. And of course the under 18 year olds themselves. That is why Vince is going after that market, it's merchandising. Another thing to think about, one poster said that Vince went PG for a couple of other reasons. 1) to attract advertisers and encourage tie-ins (hence the reason for guest hosts) and his wife running for the US Senate. It does make sense.
Posted By: mogamer (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 09:59 AM
It never ceases to amaze me how little the know-it-all members of the IWC actually know. Going PG doesn't necessarily mean marketing only to kids. Pretty much every professional sport besides boxing and MMA is PG - do the NFL and the NBA market only to kids?
Posted By: Bob (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 10:47 AM
^ That's what I read as well, is that Booker T didn't just object to putting Morgan over, it was the fact that it was on free TV where it would not have helped to elevate anyone that he had a problem with.
Posted By: KB (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 10:48 AM
"This sucks, that sucks, everything sucks ...."
That's your column in a nutshell.
Posted By: MDK (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 11:45 AM
"I notice you're still posting Kelly Kelly as on the injured list despite the fact that SHE WAS IN A MATCH ON LAST WEEK'S RAW!!!"
It seems that you failed to understand the term "day to day".
Posted By: Matt (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Dear Vince McMahon,
If you would improve your WRESTLING, and not your "product" (all the crap that isn't actual in-ring WRESTLING) and focus on the WRESTLING, then your (company World WRESTLING Entertainment)(Key word being WRESTLING)then you wouldn't have to resort to bringing in pointless celebrity guest hosts (who really are just props) who basically just follow the script just like any other GM would be doing. Then, *perhaps* the "show" would get higher ratings and you wouldn't have to resort to guest hosts.
Please get a clue,
Chico
Posted By: Chico (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 01:30 PM
mccool rarely defends her title
Posted By: Guest#9848 (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 01:51 PM
"It never ceases to amaze me how little the know-it-all members of the IWC actually know. Going PG doesn't necessarily mean marketing only to kids. Pretty much every professional sport besides boxing and MMA is PG - do the NFL and the NBA market only to kids?
Posted By: Bob (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 10:47 AM"
I guarantee you that if a player cuts himself in the NFL or NBA that you won't be viewing the footage on forced gray screen!
WWE PG FOR KIDZ~!~ sucks a bag of dicks. That's a fact. A PPV screaming for just one match with blood (Hell in a Cell) can't produce it. 10 minutes of every Raw focused on a midget (which I honestly can't blame WWE for because the inbred tard children in the audience go crazy for him. And nonstop bleeping for everything from "damn" to "jackass."
Kind of makes me glad that Raw is now relegated to "might as well kill 10 minutes during halftime" for much of the audience.
Posted By: Brad B (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 02:07 PM
I have no problem with the WWE going PG and making their product family friendly so I can watch with my kids.
What I have a problem with is the following:
Since the move from PG13 to PG, we have gangsterish things, like Cryme Tyme and Cena smashing up JBLs limo, then Cena daubing the word POOPY on said vehicle. Now, I don't expect the word FUCKPIG to be daubed in shit on the vehicle, but if Poopy's the best they could come up with why bother?
Vince clearly wants a return to the 80's Rock and Wrestling era, but why not do this cleverly:-
Have RAW as the entertainment show with Cena / Batista / Undertaker / Big Show / Hornswoggle etc ridiculous character come cartoony figures. Have the Diva /Womern Title exclusive property to this show. Use Superstars as a RAW TV development deal where up and comers get a shot against someone from the main RAW roster.....
Have Smackdown as an ACTUAL wrestling show, with ZERO super heavyweights, a re-instated cruiserweight title instead of the womens/diva title.
Instead of a PPV every three weeks for the whole roster, have a RAW PPV every 3 weeks and a Smackdown / ECW PPV every three weeks.
Have the NEW gimmick PPV's AIMED at kids / family audience and give Smackdown and ECW to the more mature viewers who appreciate the wrestling.
Keep the brand split in place for the forseeable future.
You in effect do what the WWE should have done from day one with the brand split and create two totally unique audiences with the potential for crossover/ cross branded BIG four PPVs (which should all be FOUR HOURS long to ensure each show gets a fair crack)
By watering the WHOLE product down, you please nobody long term. You alienate a large cross section of your potential audience.
Instead, they ruin something that was getting good, like Smackdown, by bringing in Batista and putting the strap on the Undertaker, whilst burying people like Evan Bourne and Chavo Guerrero on Raw.
Posted By: The Truth of it All (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 02:10 PM
Kofi Kingston is West African? I thought he was Jamaican. "Boom Boom Booom!!!"
Posted By: X (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 03:51 PM
How the hell do you guys have trouble differentiating what matches will fall under the gimmick of the PPV when they flat out announce them and talk about them on TV? Don't fault the WWE if you can't pay attention.
Posted By: His Bubbliness (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 05:35 PM
"
- Gail Kim, RAW, day-to-day as of October 5th (ruptured implant)
"
fail
Posted By: Guest#6300 (Guest) on October 12, 2009 at 06:16 PM
Return Of The King
Youuuuumannnnnnga!
A Thought Occurs
WWE: Generic PPV
Having Your Cake And Making Dick Jokes Too
