Acknowledging the Past

[Guest Nell Santucci]

Traditionally, I feel like Vince's biggest issue has always been not knowing what to do with their excess money. Part of me thinks that if, instead of screwing around with icoPRO and the WBF and the XFL and the movies, they had created a more robust developmental system or focused even more money into breaking into international markets like it looked like they'd be doing with Shane in Japan or whatever, and just doubled-down on their main product, they would have been so much better off.

Exactly. I've long felt that if WWE would provide for the initial capital around the country necessary to replicate a quasi-territorial system, where competition within the ranks depended on getting a developmental contract (so there would still be the aura of indy wrestling), they'd have a self-sustaining system. Think just how much OVW itself did. Think what several OVWs could do.

 

Is there any evidence in the current wrestling market that this would even be a viable option. It isn't like there are a bunch of indy promotions that are running on a weekly basis that are slef-sustaining and it wouldn't be worth the investment to go the one or two show a month option. I don't think most fans would support a minor league system over the WWE. They already have FCW which is basically what OVW was. They've tried multiple farm groups in the past and it has never worked anywhere near what you are describing.

 

You raise a good objection. At this point, there is no such market. During the boom period, it's possible. OVW was successful in generating talent and drawing some money. No? At least Cornette says they drew. Cornette has argued that WWE's failings in developmental stem from its micromanaging when they should be more hands off. I agree. Even if they couldn't make a nation-wide system, they could make a system in key markets in NY, LA, and Florida. I'd imagine there are many who'd give pro-wrestling a go if the initial costs of starting up (some trainers charge thousands and then throw them to the wolves) weren't so high and they didn't have to travel a thousand miles and relocate just to get a shitty deal. Every college in America has a slew of failed athletes who'd give it a shot if the opportunity were to present itself. So the question then becomes if it'd be worth risking investing in those guys. But if they're all competing in promos and for good matches, just to get a developmental contract, it could work.

 

Even knowing the NC indy circuit like I do, guys are always coming and going, partly because it gets tiring driving hours on end for next to no cash and no exposure. WWE could create a socialist type structure to keep worthwhile talent around, rather than having them perform in anarchic conditions. Hulk Hogan, for example, almost left the business for a time in much favorable conditions. Linda McMahon spent $50 million on her last senate race. They could pump in a couple million in that to find their next Steve Austin. Even Tough Enough produced decent results (like John Morrison).