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People get down on the WWE for pushing certain wrestlers and not pushing the ones the fans get behind, but I started thinking about it and that's the way it works in entertainment - not just wrestling. Networks get behind shows and will not put money behind shows that are critical darlings. Certain actors win Oscars and then Hollywood ignores them with one bad script after another because they might see them as one and done. What is your take on that thought process? I would just be interested in how you see it.
I see them being very different. In the case of making a movie, it's a huge capital expenditure so studios want to do all that they can to get the right script and have the right people in the flick. In wrestling, WWE has a focus group twice a week at their TV tapings. They don't have to wonder if the people will get behind Damien Sandow, or whether they want to see Daniel Bryan as the Champion. They have an arena full of people right there giving them feedback. It's a lot easier for a WWE to say, "Let's see if Bryan will draw as champion" so I don't see them at all as being the same thing. In WWE, it comes down to one person seeing you as being worthy, and that's Vince McMahon.
And on that similar track, why do you think Impact Wrestling gets the short end of the stick so much from television networks. I feel Spike and Destination America bit off their nose to spite their face. TNA received decent ratings and probably the best or Top 5 for the network. Why do you drop a show that outperforms so many other shows? Ad revenue? Stigma? I mean Spike brought Belator into the mix. That MMA org has a stigma tied to it but Spike doesn't seem to mind. And I'm sure a lot of people look down at Destination America's live exorcism. So, it's interesting to see them not get behind a good ratings engine. When TNT and TBS did it, they had other plans for scripted shows, etc. but I haven't really seen Spike or Destination America really break out without wrestling. Thoughts?
Have you seen what's on Spike and Destination America? They don't drop anything due to stigma. It's about money at the end of the day. TNA didn't make the viewers that the brought in worth what the networks had to pay them. If I draw a full house to have Steve Austin wrestle, but he costs me twice as much as I brought in, it's not worth having him on my show.
Where’s the beef??! Where’s the beef?!? That was really funny back in the 80’s. Problem is, it stopped being funny a long time ago. Most people have figured that out. So why is it that WWE fans continue to “What???” during the majority of the interviews? It’s if Austin, fine. If it’s McMahon, maybe. I think there’s a direct correlation between that and the ratings. WWE has given the fans nothing that captures their imagination and are stuck rehashing things over 20 years old. But hey, putting on 20 minute long opening segments involving non-wrestlers is a strong step to change that, right?
The correlation between them doing something that is from the past and the fact that presentation is the same today as it was then is impossible to ignore. I think they do it for a few reasons. As you said, there is not much new getting them excited. I think sometimes they do it because they don't enjoy the segment in the ring. And some just do it to do it because they are special.
Love the site and I thank you for all the work you guys do on the site. Here's a WrestleMania suggestion. It's in Texas, why not get Stone Cold to come down as Shane's enforcer? The biggest thorn in Vince's side coming back to bit him one last time. Not a match, but just a run in. Your thoughts?
I wouldn't have an issue with that at all. It would be a logical way to use Austin at Mania.
Do you see the legendary El Santo receiving a richly deserved spot in the WWE HOF?
I don't necessarily see it but I certainly would have no issue with him getting in. He is certainly a Hall Of Famer.
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