Is the empire crumbling before our eyes?

[El-P]

Gotta love TKO exploring the idea of running less house-show as "cost cutting" measure. Yeah, because they don't make enough money as they are. I guess the idea is not so much putting smiles on people's face anymore, uh ? It's fascinating how WWE is now basically just part of a rights-fees management company. It's pretty ironic when the pro-wrestling product is actually more focused on being pro-wrestling fans friendly, more than ever probably, thanks to Lesveque. Wonder what would happen if/when he gets removed for reasons (which may be many, including health).

[Jmare007]

Well, if WWE is not making good money on house shows given how well they've been doing for the past year, then I kind agree they have to change the model because it's not gonna get better than what they are making right now.

[Robert S]

I suppose running less house shows is a precursor to cutting down the size of the roster. I am especially wondering how long TKO wants to keep paying for I-don't-know-how-many people in the PC. In the longterm both running house shows (because it binds more people to the product if they have a semi-regular chance to see it live) and having the PC in its current state probably are worthwhile things to have, but in the short term, cutting both down will increase profits.

[sek69]

If you read the entire thing they said, they are looking at cutting back house shows in "C or D counties", which yeah I'm sure they aren't making tons of cash running shows in the middle of Bumfuck, South Dakota.  It sucks for the people in those small towns, but business-wise it's probably a no brainer decision.

[El-P]

Now I really wonder if Bumfuck, South Dakota is anywhere near Parts Unknown.

[Johnny Sorrow]

It's gotta be purely some cost cutting bullshit, since WWE's house show business has been hot the last few years. The house shows in Colorado have been near sell outs the last three years. I don't think this is some indicator of them not drawing. WWE is hotter than it's been in years and years.

[JRH]

And likely related to Peacock, WWE is finally shuttering its DVD division:

https://tjrwrestling.net/news/wwe-ending-home-video-releases/

End of an era, I really liked those DVDs (though the only one I got post-network was the WWE Unreleased one). Of course you know this means the old DVD sets will now be going for ridiculous prices now.

[Johnny Sorrow]

8 hours ago, JRH said:

End of an era, I really liked those DVDs (though the only one I got post-network was the WWE Unreleased one). Of course you know this means the old DVD sets will now be going for ridiculous prices now.

Looks like I'll be getting the two big containers full of my DVD's out of the crawlspace. From like, 2004-2010ish I bought almost all of the WWE DVD sets. They were great. 

[funkdoc]

On 12/6/2023 at 1:04 PM, Robert S said:

I am especially wondering how long TKO wants to keep paying for I-don't-know-how-many people in the PC.

This has me thinking Jade Cargill is out to collect that particular bag while it's still there and she'll just retire from wrestling once it's over, given the recent reports on how little they're having her train there.  Nice work if you can get it...

[Migs]

On 12/8/2023 at 10:23 PM, funkdoc said:

This has me thinking Jade Cargill is out to collect that particular bag while it's still there and she'll just retire from wrestling once it's over, given the recent reports on how little they're having her train there.  Nice work if you can get it...

I don't know if it's quite that cynical, but I do think she may not be particularly bothered if they want to pay her to not work. I'm sure she wants to take her shot at WWE SuperStardom, but it doesn't strike me with her that that's her be all end all.

[The Thread Killer]

According to SRS, as of today it’s official and the following former WWE talent have now cleared their non-compete periods and are now able to sign wherever they wish, following their releases from WWE:

Dolph Ziggler

Mustafa Ali

Elias

Mace

Mansoor

Matt Riddle

Shelton Benjamin

Top Dolla

Rick Boogs

Dana Brooke

Aliyah

Dabbo-Kato/Commander Azeez

Riddick Moss

Emma

Shanky

Personally, I think it’s bullshit that they released Elias, meanwhile they still have Ezekiel sitting around under contract, but they aren’t using him.

FREE EZEKIEL

[SirEdger]

Mustafa Ali has already landed a shitload of bookings all over the world. 2024 is absolutely gonna be his year. For us Canadians, he works Demand Lucha & C*4 Wrestling in Toronto on January 18-19 and he works North Shore Pro Wrestling in Quebec City on January 20th. He's also got a match with Speedball Mike Bailey in February (I think it's Prestige Wrestling but not sure) and he's debuting for Progress a bit later in the year.

[C.S.]

Kevin Dunn gives his notice.

https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2023/12/30/24020311/kevin-dunn-leaving-wwe

[Timbo Slice]

Praise be. 

[sek69]

1 hour ago, C.S. said:

Kevin Dunn gives his notice.

https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2023/12/30/24020311/kevin-dunn-leaving-wwe

Honestly never thought this would happen. Assumed he'd only leave WWE in a hearse, I guess Hunter's victory is complete.

[Jmare007]

HHH won.

Every wrestling fan wins.

Thank you Endeavor (for now?).

 

PS: Can we edit the thread title? WWE been on the upswing for 2 years now and been getting nothing but awesome news for what feels the last 4 months, lol.

[Embrodak]

WWE doing the reverse Rome - exit Dominus, enter Princeps.

[fxnj]

21 hours ago, Jmare007 said:

PS: Can we edit the thread title? WWE been on the upswing for 2 years now and been getting nothing but awesome news for what feels the last 4 months, lol.

Agreed. This thread title didn't age well at all.

[NintendoLogic]

In fairness, the question originally posed wasn't so much about WWE itself as Vince's involvement with it. He no longer makes the key decisions for the company and Shane and Stephanie are out entirely, so it can be said that the McMahon family wrestling empire is no more.

[KawadaSmile]

The contract does say McMahon, but it says "McMahon Helmsley"!

[C.S.]

As long as we still live in a world where Nia Jax can pin Becky Lynch, this thread title will never be outdated.

[El-P]

Kevin Dunn departing is as good an indication as anything that Vince has lost his power. I wonder how long Brucie is for the ride, still. I mean, the guy is a leech, so probably for a while still, but he's the last of the old guard in the higher hierarchy. 

[KawadaSmile]

 

Absolute scenes. Grayson Waller now stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Roddy Piper, Vader and Dr. Schultz in terms of upholding kayfabe.

[El-P]

I put it there although it's really not the right thread for it but.... The Rock is now part of the board of directors of TKO. 

Can you smell what he's cooking ? 

[KawadaSmile]

WWE is now moving RAW to Netflix. 5 billion dollar deal.