New Content?

[Deleted]

As someone from the UK and thus, in WWE's eyes, not worthy of such a magnificent Network, can anyone tell me if there is actually any new original content on this thing at all?

Apart from PPV's, NXT, Superstars and Main Event - all of which existed prior to the Network, it just seems like a Countdown/Attitude Era fap-fest that they used to put on the YouTube channel.

Why, when they have their own Network, do they seemingly not do shows giving character backgrounds, promos to build people up, new matches, etc.  I do not get it.  Unless there are shows the WWE never promote that exist hidden away.

[Gravedigger's Biscuits]

Well they do the pre-shows and Backstage Pass, plus This Week in WWE which all give some of the things you mentioned.

[Deleted]

Again though, they all existed before the Network was broadcast. Has this brought ANYTHING new?

[Gravedigger's Biscuits]

Nov 7, 2014 16:21:58 GMT -5 @ihateeverything said:

Again though, they all existed before the Network was broadcast. Has this brought ANYTHING new?

Actually Raw pre-shows didn't exist prior to the Network.

I see what you're saying though and I think that's the main problem with the Network. It doesn't impact the product enough - why not try and get the 4 million homes who watch Raw every week to subscribe to the Network by continuing and developing storylines and characters that are relevant to the main TV product.

I don't think they necessarily need a new show though, just make Main Event a more important show that features guys like Cena and Orton regularly and in important roles.

[Deleted]

I'd use the Network to treat midcard guys the way Cena and Orton get treated on TV. Try and build guys up somehow since TV is too important for those guys.

[Gravedigger's Biscuits]

Nov 7, 2014 16:29:22 GMT -5 @ihateeverything said:

I'd use the Network to treat midcard guys the way Cena and Orton get treated on TV. Try and build guys up somehow since TV is too important for those guys.

Yeah but how is that going to help the Network? That's what it's all about for WWE.

[Deleted]

Zack Ryder used the internet to get over and make himself a star that moved merch - why can't they give guys like Big E time on the Network to do the same instead of them all making their own YouTube channels? It can make them money and get others over at the same time.

[Slammy Award-Winning Cannibal]

Nov 7, 2014 16:01:14 GMT -5 @ihateeverything said:

As someone from the UK and thus, in WWE's eyes, not worthy of such a magnificent Network, can anyone tell me if there is actually any new original content on this thing at all?

Apart from PPV's, NXT, Superstars and Main Event - all of which existed prior to the Network, it just seems like a Countdown/Attitude Era fap-fest that they used to put on the YouTube channel.

Why, when they have their own Network, do they seemingly not do shows giving character backgrounds, promos to build people up, new matches, etc.  I do not get it.  Unless there are shows the WWE never promote that exist hidden away.

Anyway, the short answer is YES, they do have all of these. In terms of new matches, they literally just experimented with this on Monday with Rusev's US title win against Sheamus.

I mean, if you're going to call new, original documentaries "fap-fests" then I don't think you can be helped. I personally really enjoy watching Countdown, Rivalries, Monday Night War, etc. They all contain a lot of fresh new footage or old footage that hasn't been showcased on WWE TV since they aired. The interviews are all new and it's fun as hell to watch. They have definitely done character backgrounds with The Shield doc they released. That was all gravy.

It's Year One, gang. Rome wasn't built in a day. For what it is right now, it's got a lot of really solid, new content.

[xCompackx]

Well WWE is always kind of heavy on the Attitude Era, but it's popular with fans so I don't blame them for focusing on that content first. But when they get everything worked out and get all of their content digitized, WWE Network is going to be awesome. Hopefully it lasts that long.

[TheDieselTrain]

STILL waiting on Total Divas season 2....... Season 1 ended what 4 weeks ago. No reason why it shouldn't be up since WWE is yanking full episodes off of youtube.

[Krazee]

Nov 7, 2014 16:20:50 GMT -5 Gravedigger's Biscuits said:

Well they do the pre-shows and Backstage Pass, plus This Week in WWE which all give some of the things you mentioned.

This Week in WWE is really underrated, it reminds me of those ole WWF weekend recap shows

[andrew8798]

They got the episodes of Prime Time from 24/7 They need to put them on here

[willywonka666]

Hell,Vince spent most of our lifetimes buying up territories and getting their footage-why the rush for new stuff that isn't hot now anyway?

I guess it depends on age, but to me it should be about the vintage stuff, and even that is presented in modern day doses, like countdowns and stuff.

[andrew8798]

Dave and Bryan brought up a good point a few episodes a week wouldn't hurt. They wasting that Mid-South stuff. Hell put some more World Class stuff

[Professor Chaos]

I wish they'd do a weekly call in show where fans can call in and discuss wrestling. Have it hosted by Renee and one of the toolboxes.

[Reflecto]

Nov 8, 2014 21:39:59 GMT -5 willywonka666 said:

Hell,Vince spent most of our lifetimes buying up territories and getting their footage-why the rush for new stuff that isn't hot now anyway?

I guess it depends on age, but to me it should be about the vintage stuff, and even that is presented in modern day doses, like countdowns and stuff.

It's the big problem with the territorial footage- most of the footage is so old that, quite frankly, it's never going to BE hot again unless you take a leap of faith and try. With Attitude Era footage/Rock and Wrestling era footage, there's enough recognizable, popular stars from the past it will occur- but with things like World Class or Mid-South, it's 30+ year old footage featuring wrestlers who were either unrecognizable from WWE/WCW/ECW, or wrestlers who [either by death or by age] will likely never show up and GET popular with a modern day crowd.

[willywonka666]

Nov 8, 2014 22:48:36 GMT -5 Reflecto said:

Nov 8, 2014 21:39:59 GMT -5 willywonka666 said:

Hell,Vince spent most of our lifetimes buying up territories and getting their footage-why the rush for new stuff that isn't hot now anyway?

I guess it depends on age, but to me it should be about the vintage stuff, and even that is presented in modern day doses, like countdowns and stuff.

It's the big problem with the territorial footage- most of the footage is so old that, quite frankly, it's never going to BE hot again unless you take a leap of faith and try. With Attitude Era footage/Rock and Wrestling era footage, there's enough recognizable, popular stars from the past it will occur- but with things like World Class or Mid-South, it's 30+ year old footage featuring wrestlers who were either unrecognizable from WWE/WCW/ECW, or wrestlers who [either by death or by age] will likely never show up and GET popular with a modern day crowd.

That poses a problem that I hadn't considered.

It was awhile back that 80s wrestlers were still fresh on everyone's minds, and they were still young enough to be brought back a bit even for segments, but time has marched on.

The E needs to somehow keep these people still fresh in peoples memories and they do try with countdowns and the HOF I suppose, but it's like with music-hardly anyone bothers trying to teach the public about Chuck Berry anymore-and it's a shame