News and Notes (1/14/14)

[Dat Dude]

There is a very strong, but not yet verified, rumor making the rounds that Hulk Hogan has reached a deal to officially return to WWE. It is being said that the two sides came to an agreement on Monday or Tuesday of last week, and that an announcement of Hogan's return was set to be made at the WWE Network presentation. (There were even mentions of Hogan still in the teleprompter script that the speakers had to skip over.) However, WWE officials changed their minds at the last second, not wanting to overshadow the announcement of the Network. It is said that an announcement of Hogan's return could come any day now. While the long term plans for Hogan will depend on the level of medical clearance he can get from WWE doctors, it is known that WWE is planning to have him involved with WrestleMania XXX in a major role.

The bidding for WWE's package of television programs is expected to be very intense. Reportedly, NBC Universal, who current own the rights, is not happy with the WWE Network announcement and fear that they may be outbid with the television fees expected to double.
Disney is expected to be one of the biggest threats to NBC Universal's retention of WWE's television package, with the intent to put WWE's shows on the A&E network. Disney also owns the Lifetime network, and there is some talk that it may become the home for Total Divas should Disney acquire the rights.
Another top contender is Viacom, who most notably owns Spike TV, the current home of TNA's Impact program. Viacom has long been a supporter of TNA, enjoying the roughly 1 million viewers in a valuable demographic that pro wrestling provides. By acquiring WWE's television package, Viacom could increase that number exponentially. Viacom winning the rights to WWE's television package would almost certainly sound the death knell for TNA, as they rely heavily on their TV deal to stay afloat.
A fourth interested company is said to be 21st Century Fox, with the programming likely to air on FX or the new Fox Sports 1.
Overall, it is said that WWE would prefer to remain with NBC Universal, and that it would take an overwhelming offer from one of the other contenders for them to move their television shows away from the USA and SyFy networks. Regardless of which contender wins the rights, WWE stands to make a LOT of money.


In a "blink and you'll miss it" moment on last night's Raw, NXT Diva Emma briefly appeared onscreen holding a sign promoting "#Emmatainment". She was then mentioned by name by the commentary crew. Whether this is a prelude to a call up to the main roster or just a one-off shot is not yet known.

Prior to last night's Raw, a meeting between Vince McMahon and the roster was scheduled to happen to discuss the WWE Network and how it will affect the talent. Several wrestlers even tweeted about the meeting. However, it was abruptly canceled at the last minute with no explanation given.

In some increasingly rare good news for TNA, the company is said to be close to signing the American Wolves, Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards. The pair had been given an extended tryout at the WWE Performance Center and even appeared on an episode of NXT. However, WWE chose not to sign them and from the sounds of things, they could be making their TNA as soon as this week's live edition of Impact on Thursday.

www.cagesideseats.com/2014/1/14/5306348/rumor-roundup-jan-14-2014-hulk-hogan-signs-with-wwe-tv-deal-bidding-more

[Super Nintenjoe KBD]

"Emmatainment" doesnt exactly roll of the tongue...good for her though if she's in line for a push.

[xxshoyuweeniexx]

I'd love to see Raw on the same channel as Duck Dynasty, but man WWE would really only make sense on ESPN but of course that'd clash with Monday Night Football. But Viacom getting WWE back would, yeah, pretty much screw over TNA so hard that they'd be strictly running out of Europe with no US TV deal.

[Deleted]

I really hope that the E stays on the NBC networks. USA is their home to me. I can't be bothered to even figure out where A&E is on my TV.

[The Portable Stove]

WWA&E... thank the WRESTLING GODS for the Network.

[Deleted]

Jan 14, 2014 11:39:48 GMT -5 Dat Dude said:

The bidding for WWE's package of television programs is expected to be very intense. Reportedly, NBC Universal, who current own the rights, is not happy with the WWE Network announcement and fear that they may be outbid with the television fees expected to double.

Well that explains the potshots on CNBC


According to the Wall Street Journal the way that it was working is that NBC Universal are the only ones who can negotiate right now, basically they have until the end of the month and if they don't offer enough then next month WWE can negotiate elsewhere.


Basically it's in USA's interest to sort a deal before the months over.

[Welfare Willis]

Coming up next on MSNBC, Lockup - Marty Jannetty edition.


Coming up on Lifetime, Goodfellas followed by Fraiser then WWE total divas.

Lifetime - television for... women?

[mizerable]

I don't think I would have ever seen the day where WWE appeared on f***ing Lifetime.

[Jedi-El of Tomorrow]

Please stay on USA, WWE. That's your home, please stay.

It's no shock that Disney would want the WWE on one or more of their channels. Disney wants to have an even bigger hold on the entertainment world. And if Disney were to get the programming rights, that would be the worst thing for TNA. Because while Disney wouldn't own WWE, they'd push it more than NBCUniversal can, just on the fact they're Disney. There would be more mentions of WWE on ESPN.

Jan 14, 2014 12:28:49 GMT -5 mizerable said:

I don't think I would have ever seen the day where WWE appeared on f***ing Lifetime.

Have you seen some of the stuff that airs on Lifetime? Lifetime wouldn't know what to do with a show that has banned male on female violence.

[SEAN CARLESS]

Most of that newz is made up or speculation.

Hogan hasn't signed anything yet. But you don't have to be Nostradamus to predict they'd want him in some capacity for Mania XXX. But Hogan is still negotiating apparently. Nothing is in stone yet.

And Fox WILL NOT be signing WWE in any capacity. UFC has an iron-clad exclusive contract with them and all their subsidiary channels.

As for the rest of those channels -- come on. WWE hasn't even began to shop around anything yet due to their efforts with the network launch and need to get 2 million subscribers to even break even due to the MLB partnership and take. They will not until they get closer toward the fall and see which way the wind is blowing and where they stand financially. The hope, from their end, is that all the talk and posturing will force USA to renegotiate and double their rights fees. WWE doesn't want to re-launch from an entirely different network that most likely will not give them the same leeway USA does. It's all a bargaining tool.

Basically, whoever wrote this just named networks off the top of their head without thinking about what higher or equal rated shows would be sacrificed to placate WWE's Monday & Friday night schedules.

[sportatorium]

It would be utterly hilarious if Disney got it & suddenly SportsCenter anchors had to start reporting wrestling results.

[Bang Bang Bart]

Even more funnier, since it would mean we'd likely get WWE/Disney cross promotions.

[A Platypus Rave]

Jan 14, 2014 12:54:11 GMT -5 SEAN CARLESS said:

Most of that newz is made up or speculation.

Hogan hasn't signed anything yet. But you don't have to be Nostradamus to predict they'd want him in some capacity for Mania XXX. But Hogan is still negotiating apparently. Nothing is in stone yet.

And Fox WILL NOT be signing WWE in any capacity. UFC has an iron-clad exclusive contract with them and all their subsidiary channels.

As for the rest of those channels -- come on. WWE hasn't even began to shop around anything yet due to their efforts with the network launch and need to get 2 million subscribers to even break even due to the MLB partnership and take. They will not until they get closer toward the fall and see which way the wind is blowing and where they stand financially. The hope, from their end, is that all the talk and posturing will force USA to renegotiate and double their rights fees. WWE doesn't want to re-launch from an entirely different network that most likely will not give them the same leeway USA does. It's all a bargaining tool.

Basically, whoever wrote this just named networks off the top of their head without thinking about what higher or equal rated shows would be sacrificed to placate WWE's Monday & Friday night schedules.

But the WWE isn't competition to UFC! - Vince McMahon.

Seriously though, would the exclusivity contract apply to something like Pro Wrestling which isn't a combat sport. I mean I assume it has to due with the phrasing of the contract... but there is probably a way Fox could work the WWE on their network if they REALLY want it.

[thegame415]

Jan 14, 2014 12:54:11 GMT -5 SEAN CARLESS said:

And Fox WILL NOT be signing WWE in any capacity. UFC has an iron-clad exclusive contract with them and all their subsidiary channels.

[Push R Truth]

Jan 14, 2014 13:44:19 GMT -5 Bang Bang Bart said:

Even more funnier, since it would mean we'd likely get WWE/Disney cross promotions.

Mickey doing a Moonsault onto Big Show off the top of the cage at Wrestlemania would be worth it.

[froggyfrog]

Cagesideseats.com? What did bleacherreport not have anything?

[edgestar]

Jan 14, 2014 13:44:19 GMT -5 Bang Bang Bart said:

Even more funnier, since it would mean we'd likely get WWE/Disney cross promotions.

3MB vs the Rescue Rangers would be a main event anywhere!

[Deleted]

I hope they end up on Spike TV, just to end TNA.

[Welfare Willis]

Jan 14, 2014 13:57:06 GMT -5 Push R Truth said:

Jan 14, 2014 13:44:19 GMT -5 Bang Bang Bart said:

Even more funnier, since it would mean we'd likely get WWE/Disney cross promotions.

Mickey doing a Moonsault onto Big Show off the top of the cage at Wrestlemania would be worth it.

John Cena, Spider-man, Mickey Mouse, and Luke Skywalker take on the forces of Randy Orton, Dr. Octopus, Big Pete, and Darth Vader 2.

[Mozenrath]

Jan 14, 2014 13:44:19 GMT -5 Bang Bang Bart said:

Even more funnier, since it would mean we'd likely get WWE/Disney cross promotions.

We already have had the Muppets on Raw, it really isn't that outlandish.

If Viacom did get the rights, I am sure TNA would not necessarily be f***ed. They could very well just keep both.