WWE Network... It's Here

[BBscout]

New programming is the only thing that will pop a number. Not old stuff.

[sek69]

It's hard to determine what actually pops a number (besides Mania) since they keep the numbers close to the vest.

[jushin muta liger]

I don't mean this to sound morbid but I was hoping they'd upload a bunch of AWA stuff in memory of Bobby Heenan. It goes against WWE Canon that his best work was not in the company, but they only seem to add AWA stuff if it features a WWF guy anyway.

They are probably going to a Collection Playlist of Bobby's WWF stuff instead since they done it for people that have passed away this year.

[sek69]

 

I don't mean this to sound morbid but I was hoping they'd upload a bunch of AWA stuff in memory of Bobby Heenan. It goes against WWE Canon that his best work was not in the company, but they only seem to add AWA stuff if it features a WWF guy anyway.

They are probably going to a Collection Playlist of Bobby's WWF stuff instead since they done it for people that have passed away this year.

 

 

 

I know, I just hope it isn't a bunch of Prime Time skits and weasel suit matches against the Warrior.

[iamthedoctor]

The people who they haven't yet converted into Network subscribers aren't holding out because there "isn't enough wrestling" so just paying money to buy rights or libraries or produce an "edgy" wrestling show isn't going to suddenly boost numbers. I'm not sure that producing a comedy or drama would either but at least it'd be interesting to see what they come up with since we've seen from GLOW on Netflix that you can base a normal show around a wrestling concept and get good results.

 

Im a network subscriber not because of the drama shows but because you can watch the old wrestling shows in decent quality. Im sure its 50/50 with subscribers where half are there because of the old stuff and other half are there because its cheaper to watch the current era PPVs.

[Grimmas]

It can't be 50/50 for old vs new. WWE knows the numbers and puts up way more new stuff than old stuff.

[Hawkeye12]

Personally speaking, my brother and I are the only ones I know that subscribe for the older stuff. Can't convince the other friends in our age group to subscribe, even though they can watch the whole Attitude era all over again. The younger ones are about 7 years younger and didn't start watching until 2002 or so. Not saying the others don't dip into the older stuff from time to time, but it's usually something that pops up in a collection (they didn't watch WCW but had seen the Chamber of Horrors for instance). They do watch that camp cartoon, that pranked show, the ride along show and NXT for examples. I kind of wish they'd have a wrestling Jeopardy type show, even if it's the actual wrestlers as the contestants. Have Finkel or Okerlund host it.

[jushin muta liger]

The Madusa documentary on the Network is pretty good. There is a small amount of AJW footage of her and they credit Fumi Saito and AJW at the end so I'm guessing it was from Fumi or Madusa's own tapes.

 

If you heard her tell her own story before, it's the same as usual but it's cool with the story of her leading up to the HOF that goes along with it.

[C.S.]

I don't mean this to sound morbid but I was hoping they'd upload a bunch of AWA stuff in memory of Bobby Heenan. It goes against WWE Canon that his best work was not in the company, but they only seem to add AWA stuff if it features a WWF guy anyway.

They are probably going to a Collection Playlist of Bobby's WWF stuff instead since they done it for people that have passed away this year.

 

I know, I just hope it isn't a bunch of Prime Time skits and weasel suit matches against the Warrior.

 

Just released: Bobby "The Brain" Heenan Collection on WWE Network

 

No one put the entertainment in sports-entertainment quite like Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. Affectionately known as "The Weasel," Heenan is regarded by many as the greatest manager of all time. Certainly no "ham and egger," Heenan was "The Brain" behind some of the most prolific Superstars in WWE history – none bigger than the "Eighth Wonder of the World," Andre The Giant. When Heenan wasn't leading WWE Hall of Famers "straight to the top," the self-proclaimed broadcast journalist was wielding his sarcastic wit alongside longtime friend and comedic foil, Gorilla Monsoon. Relive all the great moments and celebrate over four decades of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan with this WWE Network Collection.

 

Contents

 

* Intro: Bobby "The Brain" Heenan Tribute Package

 

* Bobby Heenan calls himself "The Brain" for the first time

 

* Battle of the Managers

 

* Weasel Suit Match: Bobby Heenan vs. Greg Gagne

 

* Hulk Hogan vs. Bockwinkel & Bobby Heenan

 

* Bobby Heenan "I am not a Weasel" interview

 

* "$15,000 Slam Match": Andre the Giant vs. Big John Studd (with Bobby Heenan)

 

* Andre aligns with Heenan; Contract signing prior to WrestleMania III

 

* Bobby Heenan - Andre the Giant Interview / WrestleMania III - Hogan vs. Andre the Giant

 

* Vignettes: Bobby and Gorilla in Atlantic City

 

* WrestleMania IV - Heenan and Islanders vs. Koko and The British Bulldogs

 

* Vignettes: Bobby and Gorilla on a Boat

 

* Weasel Suit Match: Ultimate Warrior vs. Bobby Heenan

 

* Vignettes: Western Movie Set

 

* Brookyln Brawler Debuts and attacks Red Rooster/WrestleMania V - Heenan vs. Red Rooster

 

* The Bobby Heenan Show, Episode #1

 

* Bobby Heenan introduces the Narcissist

 

* Survivor Series 1993: The Knights vs. The Harts

 

* Bobby Heenan tries to sneak into Raw

 

* WrestleMania X-7: Gimmick Battle Royal

 

* Bobby Heenan WWE Hall of Fame Speech

 

http://wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2017/0922/632431/bobby-heenan-wwe-network-collection-announced/

[sek69]

Lineup for the collection is better than I expected, some people seem surprised with the lack of WCW stuff but I'd bet Bobby would have preferred everyone forget that part of his career anyway.

[Bigelow34]

I can't even think of anything memorable he did in WCW... his debut... and I guess when he "coached" Flair and Arn against Mongo and Kevin Greene?

 

I mean he had funny moments on commentary here and there but nothing that really leaps off the page.

[sek69]

You can make the case that the Hogan turn was the culmination of the longtime feud. All those years of his distrust verified in one moment. Everyone always says the "what side is he on" line was a botch, but of course Bobby Heenan the longtime foil of Hulkamania would be distrustful of him. The fact that he ended up being right (finally) was 15+ years of heel work being validated.

[iamthedoctor]

I can't even think of anything memorable he did in WCW.

 

I can. The Clash when Pillman grabbed his coat.

[iamthedoctor]

WWE just shared on their youtube channel a clip from a unseen match from 1997.

 

[BBscout]

That was random. 20 years since that RAW to the day this week but they haven't uploaded clips of darks like that besides the recent 5 debuts vid (AJ, Scott Hall, etc). Hopefully sign of more to come.

[Rah]

I know it's just the last few minutes, but those are some rather dull and uninspiring performances for a finishing run. Odd upload.

[iamthedoctor]

I know it's just the last few minutes, but those are some rather dull and uninspiring performances for a finishing run. Odd upload.

 

Suprisingly HBK lays down for Bret to get a 3 count in the autumn of 1997!

[peachchaos]

There were a few Bret Hart Triple Threat matches on the Attitude Era Unreleased DVD. The best one was from early '97 at the SkyDome w/ Bret, Shawn, and Sid.

[iamthedoctor]

There were a few Bret Hart Triple Threat matches on the Attitude Era Unreleased DVD. The best one was from early '97 at the SkyDome w/ Bret, Shawn, and Sid.

 

I liked that one but wasent overly fond of the fancam stuff, would have preferred the after Raw stuff.

[sek69]

Meanwhile, they've quietly been filling in the gaps for 1986 WCCW and one from 1987 just popped up.

[C.S.]

The Madusa/Alundra Blaze documentary, "Trailblayzer," was pretty good. Nothing new, and WAY too big a deal made of the "infamous" angle where she trashed the belt, but it was still an enjoyable watch overall.

[iamthedoctor]

The Madusa/Alundra Blaze documentary, "Trailblayzer," was pretty good. Nothing new, and WAY too big a deal made of the "infamous" angle where she trashed the belt, but it was still an enjoyable watch overall.

 

Did they say anything about the womens 1993 tournament? Were the round 1 matches legit or phantom?

[C.S.]

Did they say anything about the womens 1993 tournament? Were the round 1 matches legit or phantom?

The tournament was mentioned, but that's about it. I'm trying to remember if they showed any footage of the earlier round matches Alundra was in, but I don't think so. I ended up wondering the same thing - if it was a phantom tournament or real. It seemed pointless to me, even at the time, to run a tournament at all - or the claim of one - when it was so obvious Alundra was going to win.

 

On another note entirely, I don't blame Madusa for throwing the belt in the trash. It wasn't her idea anyway, but even if it was, I remember agreeing with it at the time - or at least not disagreeing with it. WWE abandoned the entire division, including its champion, without any explanation. It annoyed me as a fan back then. It was bad enough that Madusa was miscast as a babyface. At the very least, she could've been kept around as a badass heel manager - similar to the role she played in the Dangerous Alliance. Really dumb to just let her go.

[iamthedoctor]

 

Did they say anything about the womens 1993 tournament? Were the round 1 matches legit or phantom?

The tournament was mentioned, but that's about it. I'm trying to remember if they showed any footage of the earlier round matches Alundra was in, but I don't think so. I ended up wondering the same thing - if it was a phantom tournament or real. It seemed pointless to me, even at the time, to run a tournament at all - or the claim of one - when it was so obvious Alundra was going to win.

 

On another note entirely, I don't blame Madusa for throwing the belt in the trash. It wasn't her idea anyway, but even if it was, I remember agreeing with it at the time - or at least not disagreeing with it. WWE abandoned the entire division, including its champion, without any explanation. It annoyed me as a fan back then. It was bad enough that Madusa was miscast as a babyface. At the very least, she could've been kept around as a badass heel manager - similar to the role she played in the Dangerous Alliance. Really dumb to just let her go.

 

 

I don't blame Madusa either especially if the plan was Aja Kong winning the title at the Rumble then dropping it a few months later. 2 Women battling for the belt and no roster seemed pointless having a belt.

 

Grahams site claims there was first round matches.

 

On a site note Im guessing WWE is making us wait for the Thunders and probably wont upload them till Sept 30th.

[sek69]

Looks like we're not getting Thunder (or Heat which was supposed to be coming soon too) due to the Buff Bagwell/Raven royalty lawsuits. On the plus side, we're getting more WCCW instead so yay for that.