It’s quite surprising that I have not written anything WRASSLIN’-related in almost a year. The thing is, when the state of wrestling is this bad, it’s difficult to have the motivation to write about it. With Wrestlemania coming up, there are a few things to talk about. Some of the stuff is exciting and some, not so exciting.
First, is the launch of the WWE Network. If this goes well as I think it will, Vince McMahon will strike gold. For two years, WWE has been trying to get this network going. The problem was, cable and satellite companies were asking for too much up front. I think McMahon could have done something such as putting it in a package like NFL Network but no one knows for sure, who was at fault for that failure. WWE decided they would do something no one else has really done: Have a 24-hour network streamed only online. There is a Netflix, Hulu and others, but WWE Network will be just like any other channel on TV. More good news? You can easily connect your electronic device to the TV and broadcast it just like another channel.
WWE cuts out the middle man and will now, profit 100% off this channel. For $10 a month (with six-month subscription), we as fans will get every pay-per-view, all past pay-per-views of WWF/E, WCW, ECW, all documentaries and a 24-hour streaming channel. Sure, I am sure the price will go up as time goes on. But right now, $10 a month is worth it if you can afford it. For me, I’ll continue streaming the pay-per-views and maybe even the channel (Somewhere, the NSA is reading this and are on their way to Fro Dog Headquarters). Maybe I will invest the money into this eventually.
Next up: Sting. I am on the fence about this. While I would love to see Sting come in and face the Undertaker like most fans do, is it really going to be worth it? The way I see it, he should have signed five years ago. I don’t know how much Sting, like Kurt Angle, has left in him, but he if he can perform at a high level for one match, so be it. Rumor has it, WWE is signing him for the Network to talk about the WCW portion. The deal for him will probably be for a year or two and for a reasonable price. It’s probably late for him to debut now, but at next year’s Wrestlemania, we could finally see the match between him and The Undertaker.
With CM Punk pulling a Steve Austin two weeks ago, fans are either with him or against him. I will be one to say that I am on his side. I think some of the reports from workers backstage saying he is mad because he is jealous of Daniel Bryan is absurd. Those two guys are really good friends and have wrestled against each other many times in the minor leagues, specifically, Ring of Honor. I think he is frustrated, not just because of the way he is being booked, but because of Bryan not being pushed as he rightfully should be. There is no reason for wrestlers like The Rock or Batista should even be back in the first place. First, we all loved what The Rock did years ago. Batista, however, has always sucked. Nobody wants to see an old, roided-up freak with a nose piercing (seriously?) wrestle and talk about how he is coming back for one more run. WWE completely crapped themselves with the decision of Batista winning the Royal Rumble. There is nothing for Batista to prove. The young guys deserve more of a chance. This is CM Punk’s logic. And it’s a free country. If he wants to quit his job, for any reason, he can. He has enough money saved up and he doesn’t want to do this forever.
WWE is in a state of funk right now. Unlike TNA, WWE has enough sponsors and their ratings, are more than double of TNA so there is more money to throw around. Even though ratings aren’t the greatest and fans are dissatisfied, WWE is still, making more than it ever has. With the WWE Network, people who don’t know shit about wrestling, are buying stock. Who can blame them? Vince is an idiot when it comes to storylines these days likewise for Triple H, but McMahon knows how to make money in other places. You just wish he would be put more effort into the storylines or bring people in who actually know a thing or two about the product rather than idiots from Hollywood. The perfect guy to bring would be Jim Cornette but that would never happen.
Fire Ryan Poles | Fire Matt Eberflus 
February 11, 2014 at 5:15 pm
Well done, my fitness friend. I’ll give my two cents, and only charge half price.
I am kinda of disappointed about the network. Only WWE, WCW, and ECW? When this idea was announced a couple of years ago I was really hoping to see some old programming from the AWA, WCCW, Georgia Championship Wrestling, and Florida Championship Wrestling(The one Dusty was booking for). What kind of “device” is this thing going out on. I know I don’t own one, and I’m about to run out and buy something to get the network. I would have paid Comcast extra if Vince signed a deal to put it on cable. So I’m a little pissed about it, but since they’re limiting it to WWE, WCW, and ECW I’m not too pissed.
I don’t care about Sting one way or the other. JUST DON’T LET HIM WRESTLE ANYMORE!!!!! Contrary to popular belief, I don’t think he has anything left in the tank. And why do people want to see him and Taker at WrestleMania? Does anyone actually they’d put Sting, a man who has never set foot in a WWE ring in his life, over a WWE legend and end his legendary streak? Why would Taker OK that? And why would Sting want the match going in knowing he’s losing? It might have worked 12 years ago when WCW went out of business, but it won’t be happening in 2014, or 2015 either.
I’m still on the fence about Punk. I just don’t know if his walking out is real or not. I guess we will see.
They really shit the bed badly with having Batista winning the Rumble. Absofuckinglutely STOOOOOOOPID!!!!!! The entire building went totally ape shit when it was down to him and Roman Reigns. And a quick note on Reigns. This guy is the real deal. The man is a beast. There are supposed to be major plans in the works for a huge babyface run. FUCKING PULL THE TRIGGER BOYS!!!! Didn’t they hear the reaction Reigns got during the Rumble? Some people are saying he’s the heir apparent to John Cena. He could carry the WWE for the next 10 years, easy. Provided the WWE grows some fucking balls and gives him a chance. Batista on the other hand is as over as lead balloon. They put the title on him and they will be in a world of shit. Not that Orton is any better.
You’re right about one thing. WWE is in a bad way right now. They need to stop with the chicken shit, worn out booking of putting titles on guys like Orton, Cena, Batista, the Rock, etc. Guys like Reigns and Bray Wyatt are the future. You know who would be a great mentor for Wyatt? Jake Roberts. Those two could be absolutely scary good together. Give the younger guys a shot at the brass ring Vince. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
February 11, 2014 at 5:36 pm
You can watch the Network on your computer. Anywhere you can get internet, you can get the Network. Simple. I have a laptop with an HDMI cable, so I can just hook it up to my TV if I wanted to. I think it’s a good idea. I just am so busy and too cheap to put money down. Comcast is raping me already with prices both at home and work.
February 11, 2014 at 8:26 pm
Good info gents! Keep it up!
February 12, 2014 at 10:12 am
Fro….I think you may need to help me on that. Do you connect the HDMI cable from my computer to my TV? I might be inclinded to get it if it’s that easy.
February 12, 2014 at 10:49 am
No. You can still watch it on your computer anytime. I am saying, if you have a newer TV, you can connect your computer with a cable to the TV so you can sit on your couch and watch it just like an actual channel. If you have an iPad or whatever else the kids use these days, you can access it there too.