mookeighana

Has it been discussed how moving to the network model would impact anyone who had some kind of contract that dictated revenue based on PPV buys? There's barely any left in WWE (Rock, Cena, HHH?) that I think would have a contract like that. Perhaps it's most telling that someone like Brock was signed to a fixed contract ($5M for 3 matches or whatever the terms were) because that eliminates the cumbersome process of trying to deal with how you'd count revenue after a WWE Network model is implemented (which has a monthly subscription and is less likely to have huge swings/dips based on monthly attractions - at least, so I am surmising).

Well, pieces are started to come together.

It's up now: http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episodes/episode_444_-_cm_punk Count the number of times Marc insists on framing everything as FAKE vs REAL and uses the word Spectacle.

G4 is effective dead: John I should have been clearer that I was just using G4 as an hypothetical example though as was pointed out, there was a time they could have struck and they missed it. I don't disagree with your thinking of how that all could have worked and how it'd be a hell of a lot smoother than a nebulous premium channel launch.

Honestly, they only make about $5-$6M annually on the "Other (includes Classics on Demand)" segment of Live & TV Entertainment. While it's certainly going to annoy some of their fans, honestly if they're hardcore enough to buy WWE 24/7-COD, they'll buy the WWE Network whenever it does launch and it's not going to kill ruin their bottom line.

I did think a little more about the alternative strategy that was brought up (perhaps Bix was the one championing it?) that if they have the WWE Network launched (which bypasses David's point - who will be carrying this?!), they could use it for leverage in the TV Rights negotiations so Raw or Smackdown had a potential backup network. Of course, they could never generate the money that they get from these shows (Domestic TV Rights in 2012 was $88.9M and 2013 was already looking to be $30M higher than that and that's prior to these large rights negotiations) and threatening to take your basic cable juggernaut (or more realistically your Smackdown off SyFy) isn't really something that would scare the NBCU or Viacomm. In fact, it would almost contradict what Vince had said in conference calls prior to this (though never let me stake my life on the continuity of conduct & thought of VKM.) This honestly works a lot better in the "WWE buys G4" model (basic cable) than the "WWE launches WWE Network" (premium channel) world.

http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-sto...nnetwork-future This is quite the companion to the opening & closing segments from the Goodhelmet WWE Network roundtable where we started about WWE 24/7-Classics on Demand and ended with a betting session on when the Network would debut.

Yeah, this was something that I was really wondering about as well. I might have mentioned it on the podcast - I really am curious how long the delay would be between whomever gets first airing rights (let's say NBCU) and when WWE NETWORK would be allowed to replay the whole shebang.

Yeah - I cannot fathom that a premium channel $15/month WWE NETWORK would have any infomercials. I liked Goodhelmet's idea for looking at VH1-esque - a mix of new shows (often talking about old stuff) and replaying taking old content.

Well, presumably that's what Sara Del Ray & guest trainer Mickie James are doing down in NXT right now.

What about Summer Slam 2001 / Unforgiven 2001 / No Mercy 2001? (I bolded all the matches that got *** or higher.) Summer Slam 01 - San Jose, CA - Compaq Center - August 19, 2001 (15,293; sell out) Pay-per-view bouts - featured Jim Ross & Paul Heyman on commentary: Edge pinned WWF IC Champion Lance Storm to win the title at 11:18 with a DDT Test & the Dudley Boyz defeated Spike Dudley (w/ Molly Holly) & the Acolytes when Test pinned Bradshaw at 7:19 WCW Cruiserweight Champion X-Pac pinned WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Tajiri to win the title at 7:34 with a low blow and the X-Factor after Tajiri sprayed red mist into the eyes of Albert, who came ringside late in the contest and climbed on the ring apron; both titles were at stake in the match Chris Jericho defeated Rhyno (w/ Stephanie McMahon) via submission with the Walls of Jericho at 11:47 after Jericho avoided the Gore and Rhyno hit the corner Rob Van Dam defeated WWF Hardcore Champion Jeff Hardy in a ladder match to win the title at 16:32 after shoving Hardy off the top, sending the challenger onto the ring ropes WCW Tag Team Champions the Undertaker & Kane (w/ Sara) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Diamond Dallas Page & WCW US Champion Kanyon in a steel cage match to win the titles at 10:13 Kurt Angle defeated WWF World Champion Steve Austin via disqualification at 22:31 The Rock pinned WCW World Champion Booker T (w/ Shane McMahon) to win the title at 15:19 * Austin/Angle was really great. Unforgiven 01 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mellon Arena - September 23, 2001 Pay-per-view bouts - featured Jim Ross & Paul Heyman on commentary: WWF Tag Team Champions the Dudley Boyz defeated the Big Show & Spike Dudley, Lance Storm & WWF European Champion the Hurricane, and Matt & Jeff Hardy in an elimination match Perry Saturn pinned Raven (w/ Terri) with the spinning fisherman's suplex after catapulting Raven into the turnbuckle Christian pinned WWF IC Champion Edge to win the title after using a steel chair to hit a low blow WCW Tag Team Champions the Undertaker & Kane defeated Kronik (w/ Steven Richards) WWF Hardcore Champion Rob Van Dam pinned Chris Jericho WCW World Champion the Rock defeated Booker T & Shane McMahon in a handicap match at 15:24 by pinning Booker with the Rock Bottom Rhyno pinned WCW US Champion Tajiri (w/ Torrie Wilson) to win the title with a T-Bone suplex and the Gore Kurt Angle defeated WWF World Champion Steve Austin to win the title * RVD/Jericho and Angle/Austin were great. No Mercy 01 - St. Louis, MO - Savvis Center - October 21, 2001 Pay-per-view bouts - featured Jim Ross & Paul Heyman on commentary: WCW Tag Team Champions Matt & Jeff Hardy (w/ Lita) defeated WWF European Champion the Hurricane (w/ Molly Holly) & Lance Storm (w/ Ivory) at 7:14 Test pinned Kane at 10:09 with a boot to the face after landing a low blow Torrie Wilson pinned Stacy Keibler with a handspring elbow and roll up at 3:07 in a lingerie match Edge defeated WWF IC Champion Christian in a ladder match to win the title at 22:17 WWF Tag Team Champions the Dudley Boyz defeated the Big Show & Tajiri at 9:19 The Undertaker pinned Booker T at 13:20 Chris Jericho pinned WCW World Champion the Rock at 23:47 WWF World Champion Steve Austin defeated Kurt Angle and WWF Hardcore Champion Rob Van Dam at 15:19 in a No DQ match * Jericho/Rock was really great. Austin/Angle/RVD was great. Edge/Christian was quite good. I'm a big fan of 2002 as well with Vengeance 2002 (July), Summer Slam 2002 (August) and Unforgiven 2002 (Sept).

All Valid points. I picked Camacho because he was younger and his dad is Haku. I love Meng. And I think he could be repacked and do something. Khali at least is a freak-show. I have a softspot in my heart (I should have a doctor check that) for the Giants of the world. R-Truth was around a decade ago and I was bored of him then. I will admit he's a hell of a WWEShopzone shill and an efficient hand. I just picked a guy out of the group and Truth was the one that didn't make the cut. But you're right - I would rather have R-Truth & Santino around for the kids. When I went to a Smackdown taping a few months ago (while Cena was out), I was marvelling at how weak it was for characters that kids could get behind (the Orton/HHH storyline wasn't really their thing). Still need to get Sin Cara over as Rey Jr Version 2.0 PRONTO.

Looking at the roster by age (who wrestled in WWE in the last year - some of these folks have already left..) You've got the veterans camp (38 and older): Rey Mysterio Jr, Christian, Tensai, the Great Khali, the Rock, the Big Show, R-Truth, Mark Henry, Chris Jericho, Rob Van Dam, Triple H, Goldust, William Regal, Kane, Paul Heyman, The Undertaker and Zeb Colter. Only person I'd get rid of at this moment would be R-Truth. Tensai at least can be an old hand to do some jobs. Khali is atrocious but the kids still love him. 34- 36 years old: Santino Marella, CM Punk, Ezekiel Jackson, Sheamus, Tamina, Yoshi Tatsu, Brock Lesnar, Layla, Alberto Del Rio, Hunico, John Cena, Titus O'Neil Big Zeke, Tatsu and Huncio ought to go. 32-34 years old: Alex Riley, Fandango, Daniel Bryan, Justin Gabriel, Antonio Cesaro, Mike Mizanin, Wade Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, David Otunga, Randy Orton, Brodus Clay, Tyson Kidd, Rosa Mendes, Luke Harper, Curtis Axel Rosa can retire. 28-32 years old: Zack Ryder, Drew McIntyre, Roman Reigns, Curt Hawkins, JTG, Brad Maddox, Eva Marie, Summer Rae, Darren Young, Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Heath Slater, Camacho ,Sin Cara, Ted Dibiase Jr, Primo Colon, Damien Sandow, Natalya Neidhart, Aksana, Epico, Mason Ryan, Jack Swagger, Ryback, Erick Rowan, Kofi Kingston I'd drop Ryder, JTG, Mason Ryan and Aksana. 25-27 years old: Cameron, Naomi, Bray Wyatt, AJ, Kaitlyn, Hornswoggle, Jinder Mahal, Alicia Fox, Seth Rollins, Ricardo Rodriguez, Big E Langston, Dean Ambrose, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso Mahal should go. No point to Ricardo anymore (even as El Local).

Nailz wrestled El Gigante in NJPW 1994. I really wish I could see this match.

TRL = Total Request Live = Livewire show (call in & chat) PPV Week Monday: TRL - RAW pre-show, RAW post-show Tuesday: TRL; Monday Night WARS Wednesday: TRL; NXT Thursday: TRL; Reality TV night Friday: SMACKDOWN pre-show, SMACKDOWN post-show Saturday: Kid's WWE programming Sunday: AM - JBL's money report, Replay of a classic PPV (themed to the month) PPV NonWeek Monday: TRL - RAW pre-show, RAW post-show Tuesday: TRL; PPV HYPE SHOW Wednesday: TRL; NXT Thursday: TRL; Reality TV night Friday: SMACKDOWN pre-show, SMACKDOWN post-show Saturday: Kid's WWE programming; PPV HYPE SHOW Sunday: AM - HULK HOGAN PASTAMANIA, PPV pre-show to PPV to PPV post-show Monday Overnights = MONDAY NIGHT WARS Tuesday Overnights = DVD DOCUMENTARY Wednesday Overnights = 80s NIGHT Thursday Overnights = TERRITORY THURSDAY Friday Overnights = Rough & Tough (ECW or other blood 'n' guts) Saturday Overnights = Unaired House Show footage Sunday Overnights = Vince McMahon + Leather Chair + Bottle of Scotch

My poorly worded question would be something like, "Since WWE TV rights fees have eclipsed PPV revenue for several years now, do you believe the structure of building feuds with the payoff at monthly PPVs is going to be vastly altered in the near future?"

Having looked at the # of new accounts on F4W/WO website in the past, I can tell you that October/November/December were actually the period of lowest # of new accounts in previous years. It's March/April Wrestlemania months that usually bring in the biggest annual timeframe.

So, who would be in the most jeopardy? I'm not sure all of these guys have been listed since the first voting ballot, but they were all on 2008 and 2013 ballots... Blue Panther Carlos Colon Curt Hennig Dick Murdoch Enrique Torres Fabulous Moolah Gene & Ole Anderson George Gordienko Gran Hamada Ivan Koloff Jimmy Snuka John Tolos Karloff Lagarde Kiyoshi Tamura Mark Lewin Owen Hart Red Bastien Seiji Sakaguchi Sgt. Slaughter Sting Vampiro Villano III Volk Han Wilbur Snyder The Assassins Tim "Mr. Wrestling" Woods Rock & Roll Express

Someone posted a doing a twisting chokeslam (and powerbomb) that did not look pleasant.

Luger fell off the ballot in 1998. He never really had another big run in a major company after WCW so I don't believe Dave saw a big reason to put him back on the ballot unless a bunch of voters said they wanted to vote for him. Sting fell off that year too but he later joined TNA and was treated as a big star there, so at least the argument was made that added something substantial to his career after the first time he fell off.

Really - you think this is it for them? Punk went from kicking Jeff Hardy out of town and working with The Undertaker in Hell in a Cell to teaming with Festus and running New Nexus, back up to MITB madness with Cena, down to feuding with Kevin Nash, up to feuding with Jericho, and Bryan, holding the title and working with the Rock and Brock and getting vengeance on his former manager. I guess I see Punk as a guy who goes up the card and goes back down. This certainly doesn't feel like they're done with him - just it's a lameduck period, so they're pushing a new tag team and giving them a chance to work with some good guys. If Punk decides to call it a day and go away, yeah - he'll probably not get another top level run, but I don't think the door is close to closed for him. As for Bryan, it's harder to see the future because of all the comments that VKM and HHH have made over time, but just the fact that barring some freak injury, he's probably got a long career ahead of him, I don't think his run in the sun is anywhere near to done. I was on a podcast last night and one thing that I talked about it is how people have really read a lot into what Vince said on the 3rd quarter conference call (but never listened to the audio) regarding how SummerSlam was disappointing, but if you heard him say it - it's not nearly as mean-spirited or Danielson-burying as some people have taken it when they've read the reports second hand.

I am so excited about (the presumed) Harper/Rowan vs Punk/Daniel for the PPV. I really dug Harper's two singles matches last week with Bryan & Punk and honestly believe that this is a program that has great potential for continuing to get the Wyatt Family over. While the PTP vs Wyatts have wrestled for months, I believe that putting Luke & Erick in with guys they're larger than (as opposed to Titus) is probably a better visual and obviously both Punk & Daniel can work their asses off, especially when they're motivated to keep their opponents looking good. Oct-Dec is always a dead period for WWE filled with strange moments and until the Rumble to WM build, I prefer to work on building up some undercard acts (like the Wyatts) rather than having Punk or Bryan still in the title feuds. Instead, I'd rather they built up Orton more (killing Big Show is a fine start) and having Cena back in the mix is certainly a good thing for the house show business - moreso if he also continues to appear on Smackdown regularly.

Wow, Dave vastly increased the voter base (258 for Modern US in 2012 up to 329 for 2013, for instance) this year (and that doesn't even include the voters like Bryan who apparently abstained this year!). Several years ago Steve Yohe started a list of people who hit less than 10% on the ballot. He hasn't updated it recently so I decided to step in. 1996 (8-19-96) No voting 1997 (9-1-97) No voting 1998 (8-24-98) Fuerza Guerrera Scott Hall Curt Hennig Mark Lewin Lex Luger Don Muraco Kevin Nash Paul Orndorff Blue Panther Ken Patera Jake Roberts Rick Rude Hans Schmidt* (inducted in 2012) Davey Boy Smith Rich & Scott Steiner Sting Akira Taue Barry Windham 1999 (8-16-99) Curtis Iaukea* (inducted in 2011) Bill Miller* (inducted in 2009) Masa Saito* (inducted in 2009) Tiger Jeet Singh Sgt Slaughter Kerry Von Erich Steve Williams* (inducted in 2011) 2000 (8-28-00) Lou Albano* (inducted in 2012) Masahiro Chono* (inducted in 2004) Masakatsu Funaki* (inducted in 2006) Chavo Guerrero Sr. Konnan* (inducted in 2009) Bas Rutten Sabu Ken Shamrock 2001 (8-20-01) Eric Bischoff Cien Caras 2002 (9-2-02) Gene & Ole Anderson Pedro Morales 2003 (8-25-03) Fuerza Guerrera Yuji Nagata Yoshihiro Takayama 2004 (8-23-04) Atlantis* (inducted 2013) Pepper Gomez Black Gordman & Great Goliath Gran Hamada Original La Parka Great Sasuke Mike & Ben Sharpe Dr Wagner Jr 2005 (8-24-05) Lonnie “Moondog” Mayne Don Muraco Yoshihiro Takayama 2006 (9-4-06) Arn Anderson Davey Boy Smith Booker T 2007 (10-15-07) The Dudley Boys Ultimo Guerrero & Rey Bucanero Satoshi Kojima Paul Orndorff Rich & Scott Steiner Universo 2000 Rob Van Dam Kerry Von Erich 2008 (9-8-08) Fit Finlay Hector Garza Jun Akiyama 2009 (9-28-09) Rocky Johnson Mark Lewin Jose Lothario Rick Rude Ultimo Guerrero & Rey Bucanero 2010 (9-27-10) Cowboy Bob Ellis Yukon Eric Bearcat Wright Cibernetico Dr Wagner Jr Giant Haystacks 2011 (10-24-11) Ray Gunkel Sabu 2012 (11-12-12) Chief Jay Strongbow Jeff Hardy Kane Buddy Rose Perro Aguayo Jr. Marty Jones 2013 (11-6-13) Rip Hawk Dutch Savage Count Billy Varga Bob Armstrong Batista A.J. Styles It's interesting to see how many people have come back and were later inducted (Schmidt, Iaukea, Miller, Saito, Dr Death, Albano, Chono, Masa Funaki, Konnan, Atlantis) along with which people keep springing back up (as of 2013 Curt Hennig, Ken Patera, Sting, Gene & Ole Anderson, Pedro Morales, Yuji Nagata, Pepper Gomez, Gran Hamada, Mike & Ben Sharpe, Mark Lewin, Blue Panther, Cien Caras, Hector Garza, Giant Haystacks are all back on the ballot).

I very much expect it. The other factor I could add in (but haven't yet) is a star rating (snowflake) count by person. I have a feeling that, along with adding match/feud statistics would probably also support some of the modern candidates in HOF. I also think the formula I'm using might overweight tag teams (i.e. by putting outstanding wrestler/wrestler of the year and tag team of year on the same ground). Hence why guys like Marufuji or KENTA would show up super high.

The talk of debuting young and a comment by Meltzer about comparing HHH & ReyJr injuries made me slap together this page: https://sites.google.com/site/chrisharringt...f_1963_2012_age A few hundred guys - how many WWF matches they had by age -- WWF/WWE 1963-2012 (though mostly 1980s/1990s/2000s) Excerpt