WWE Network Thread

Lord TSC

Giving away 50 quids worth of free merchandise for a 60 quid subscription seems a bit desperate imo.

rovert

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

Giving away 50 quids worth of free merchandise for a 60 quid subscription seems a bit desperate imo.

Two key personnel left recently

Matt Singerman, the WWE's Executive Vice President of Programming, was just let go I believe this past week.

He was responsible for all programming on the network.

http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/96-wwe/36838-key-wwe-network-departure

And the NFL poached Chief Digital Exec Perkins Miller last week.



The Wrestlemania payoff and the video game royalties payment are the two biggest cheques Wrestlers receive. Wrestlemania is tied to the Network fortunes and the WWE game had to bought out of the THQ bankruptcy at great expense and then sold poorly when 2k Sports put out WWE 2K14. So locker morale probably isn't the best.

Ape Lincoln

The WWF having trouble booking matches and turning to the audience isn't a new thing:



From a 1994 Monday Night Raw that was pre-taped. These Raws are so hard to get through. WWF used to do marathon tapings like 4-6 hours of nothing squash matches and the (often very small) crowd would be mostly dead. The crowd were basically extras.

kevin2800

Can everyone log into the network at the moment on chrome,whenever i try i get redirected to http://network.wwe.com/get-the-app/ site wtf

Agent Coulson

I can on my laptop right now

Ape Lincoln

Use a different browser kev. There's been recurring issues with Chrome that redirect being one of them.

EdmondShiels3

If the network comes here I am not sure I would get it because it is easy to get replays or raw and smackdown for free on the internet. But it would still be good value for ppv 9.99 if it stays at that price. Also we have to get sky sports to watch wwe.

kevin2800

Ape Lincoln wrote: »

Use a different browser kev. There's been recurring issues with Chrome that redirect being one of them.

Cheers ape Firefox did the job

Ape Lincoln

The lawsuit brought against WWE, Michael Hayes, WWE compser Jim Johnston and others by "Badstreet, USA" and WCW "Slamjam" theme music composer James Papa was officially settled with a court filing on 5/5.

The filing noted that the two sides resolved their issues following an Alternative Dispute Resolution conference. The news isn't surprising given that WWE Network versions of World Championship Wrestling PPVs using the "Slamjam" CD era theme songs were placed on the Network, replacing versions of the PPV that had edited out the original music.

While we don't have a confirmation on this, it's likely WWE's settlement included the company buying the rights to the WCW music. A similar lawsuit brought against the company by Harry "Slash" Grivas and Roderick Kohn over the rights to original music used by Extreme Championship Wrestling that WWE had been using was resolved with a settlement that saw WWE purchase the catalog outright.

Papa filed the lawsuit in July 2012, claiming that WWE was using the material without permission, had co-opted copyright registrations for the songs and wrongly attributed them to Johnston and had cost Papa money after former WWE videogame licensee reached out to him about the rights to "Badstreet USA" for a videogame only to drop interest and use a "clone" of the song that WWE provided instead.

Papa later filed an amended lawsuit against WWE, Hayes, Jim Johnston, WWE's Stephanie Music Publishing Inc., VE Newco LLC, the parent company of Vivendi Entertainment - which handles distribution of WWE DVD and Blu-Rays), Yukes (which designs the WWE video-games) and Take-Two Interactive, which acquired the license for the WWE video-games last year when THQ filed for bankruptcy.

In their response to the amended complaint, WWE denied any wrongdoing and claimed that since Papa had "consented to use" of his music in broadcasts of WCW and World Class Championship Wrestling material, that WWE would have the rights to use the material since they had acquired the copyrights to that material "lawfully". They also claimed the usage of the music in their World Class documentary would fall under "fair use" and claimed that Papa did not hold the copyright for the clone version that Jim Johnston created, so any claim against the song used in the videogame should be thrown out. WWE requested a jury trial in their response.

A trial date of 3/23/15 had been set.

http://www.pwinsider.com/article/85515/wwe-lawsuit-over-theme-music-officially-settled.html?p=1

PWInsider also reported that Saturday Night's Main Event and Monday Night War is expected to be added in July.

Ape Lincoln

New shows under consideration according to WrestlingDVDNews. They don't give a source but these things usually come out from WWE surveys and polls...

Several new show types are being considered for the WWE Network.

Revealed below are 14 concepts which include talk shows, news shows, documentaries and various reality series ideas. Take the poll to choose which shows appeal to you.

• News (Comedic): News show about all things WWE. Presented with a comedic slant like the Daily Show with Jon Stewart or The Colbert Report.

• News (Serious): A news show about all things WWE. Presented with a more serious approach like ESPN’s SportsCenter.

• Documentary: New additions to the existing documentary line-up, such as Journey to WrestleMania: Daniel Bryan. In-depth programs about WWE related topics, similar to HBO’s Hard Knocks, or Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth.

• In-Ring: New additions to the existing in-ring show line-up, such as RAW, Main Event, and NXT.

• Game Shows: Superstars hosting, or being involved in, WWE-themed game shows in which fans compete for cash prizes like on Cash Cab, Jeopardy!, and Family Feud.

• Talk Shows: Intimate and exclusive interviews with Superstars, Legends and Divas in a Late Show with David Letterman or Tonight Show format and similar to Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.

• Animated: New additions to the existing animated programming line-up, such as Slam City.

• Reality: Docu-series: Unscripted reality shows that explore the daily lives of Superstars, like seen on Total Divas or similar to Deadliest Catch or Dog The Bounty Hunter.

• Reality: Lifestyle: Reality shows that explore the lifestyle of a Superstar, like foods they crave and places they like to travel. Similar to Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, or Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.

Reality: Competition (In-Ring): “In-ring” competition shows, like Tough Enough. The new season of Tough Enough has been confirmed for the Network and begins filming soon at the WWE Performance Center.

• Reality: Competition (Outside The Ring): Competition shows that have Superstars, Divas and Legends competing against each other outside the ring like on Amazing Race or Shaq Vs.

• Reality: Buying/Selling: Reality shows looking at collecting habits of Superstars, or buying and selling pop culture memorabilia or antiques, like on Pawn Stars or American Pickers.

• Reality: Survival: Reality shows featuring Superstars, Divas, and Legends attempting to survive in the wild, like on Dude You’re Screwed, or Survivorman.

• Reality: Prank Shows: Reality shows featuring Superstars, Divas and Legends “punking” and pranking each other like on Punk’d or Impractical Jokers.

QikBax

How about a show where 2 guys wrestle a competitive match and it doesn't end in an interference finish.

Could be quite a treat.

Ape Lincoln

jamc wrote: »

How about a show where 2 guys wrestle a competitive match and it doesn't end in an interference finish.

Could be quite a treat.

Been thinking this myself. Doing Network exclusive wrestling cards that mean something ie. that involve storylines and the like. Unfortunately it seems they're hoping to strike gold with House of Cards style.

There's already a tonne if wrestling on TV however, one reason I don't think has been mentioned as to why they only got 667k subs including unofficial international ppl like us.

gerrybbadd

Ape Lincoln wrote: »

Been thinking this myself. Doing Network exclusive wrestling cards that mean something ie. that involve storylines and the like. Unfortunately it seems they're hoping to strike gold with House of Cards style.

There's already a tonne if wrestling on TV however, one reason I don't think has been mentioned as to why they only got 667k subs including unofficial international ppl like us.

I think Network exclusive cards are a great idea, and would be an awesome selling point.

Ape Lincoln

gerrybbadd wrote: »

I think Network exclusive cards are a great idea, and would be an awesome selling point.

Doesn't seem to be a priority for them I guess. There seems to be an opinion that since the monthly supercards are on the Network and with cable companies dropping their PPVs people will flock to the Network so that's all the wrestling you need (plus the other stuff, NXT, Main Event, the vault etc.)

Reganio 2

I love watching the legends of wrestling its in the vault for anyone that cares. Basically 4 lads and Mean Gene Okerlund usually hosts or JR does and they discuss whatever topic. It's always a bit of fun and seems like they have a few drinks before it or something. Dusty Rhodes even in the shows comes across an amazing talker. JR is a fountain of knowledge but dosnt seem to crack a joke or laugh at all kinda comes across bad I find.

Either way if you like wrestling podcasts I'd say check this show out

Itssoeasy

Just watched the opening match between big show and Alberto del rio from EC 2012. Jesus those chops/slaps that show does to Alberto's chest. I'm guessing he isn't going full force but still I wouldn't like to have it happen to me.

rovert

WWE has brought back the Event Center:

Ape Lincoln

Very garish. What show is it on?

I remember doing a media course once and he lecturer used rant about that kinda stuff Sky News do where there's a million things going in in the background serving as a distraction..

The Ayatolla

Looks like the Smackdown pre-show. Pity they stopped taping the pre-show, this new version looks terrible. Especially considering it was probably taped AFTER smackdown was filmed.

http://network.wwe.com/video/v32726549

Liam McPoyle

Watching SS 98 and lolling at Regals "real man" construction worker get up.

Ape Lincoln

Watching a Smackdown! from 2001 and they left in the XFL adverts





Taz's face with dem shades!

A Primal Nut

http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/wwe-near-new-deal-to-keep-raw-smackdown-on-usa-network-syfy-exclusive-1201181154/

According to this Variety article on the TV rights negotiations, one of the sticking points is how soon RAW and Smackdown can be rebroadcast on the network after the initial showing on USA Network and Syfy. Would be really nice if the new contract allowed Raw to be replayed a couple of days later. As I rarely watch it live anyway.

Currently it's one month.

Pentecost

Even a week would be alright. Wouldn't hurt the TV companies too much.

Agent Coulson

Reading that it looks like the WWE didn't get the bidding war they were hoping for.

If they end up staying on USA and Syfy they won't have gotten the money they hoped for.

A Primal Nut

Ryback heel turn coming up now. What a moment!!

Ape Lincoln

They have a contract with Hulu for streaming a 90min edited Raw episode so that's a factor. They can be a bit lax about even putting up the episodes from 30days ago. We're half-way into May and the last I checked, late Febuary is the latest episode of Raw on the Network.

rovert

Really enjoyed Main Event this week. They have re-established it as a quality show where things happen.

Pentecost

Random observations but I was watching a bit of the Invasion stuff earlier and I'd firstly forgotten the sheer volume of sexual innuendos and secondly Stephanie was damn hot back then. She's still pretty hot now obviously but again I'd forgotten what she was like back in the day.

hufpc8w3adnk65

Pentecost wrote: »

Random observations but I was watching a bit of the Invasion stuff earlier and I'd firstly forgotten the sheer volume of sexual innuendos and secondly Stephanie was damn hot back then. She's still pretty hot now obviously but again I'd forgotten what she was like back in the day.

The leather hat worn backwards and the mini skirt were BRILLIANT!!

A Primal Nut

Really good Cesaro Sheamus match. Hope to see more of them and hopefully a proper feud. On the other hand, it would be for the US title so it will be billed as a low card match on PPVs.