How Huge Will October Be?

[Mozenrath]

It's really only now sinking in for me that October is going to be enormous for wrestling. AEW on TNT and Smackdown on Fox are the biggest, but there's also going to be Bound for Glory for Impact, which, isn't that generally their biggest show, or am I getting mixed up? ROH has their Honor United tour that month, and WWE has Hell in a Cell. WWE's going back to Saudi Arabia right at the end of the month, so there's all of the usual headaches that come with that, though I am sure they'll find fresh new ways to make that hell. Not sure if any of the Japanese promotions, Europe, or Mexico have anything big lined up for October, but if they do, even more fuel on that fire.

NXT begins on USA this month, tonight, I believe, but AEW versus NXT in October is going to be the first time WWE's ran opposite a direct competitor in quite some time. It's tempting to overstate the significance of this, of course, but then again, it'd be hard to. This is going to be a significant event in wrestling history regardless of where the chips fall.

Is it sinking in for anyone else that we're looking at an upcoming month where win, lose, or draw, wrestling's going to be pretty goddamn turbulent?

[eJm]

For my own end, OTT's Fifth Anniversary show is also in October with Jordan Devlin/David Starr basically capping off a year+ feud for the world title along with the bajillion guest stars they have (ORANGE CASSIDY IN DUBLIN YAY!).

But to your overall point, from my own experience I never watched much of the Monday Night Wars and by the time I was a wrestling fan, WWF brought WCW and that was that. So this is my first real experience of two big companies knocking heads in one way or another and honestly, the winner here is us. Regardless of what happens, there's more choice then there ever has been and enough talent to stack two shows so it's good for all of us, even if it will be overwhelming to start with.

[Mozenrath]

Sept 18, 2019 5:36:31 GMT -5 eJm said:

For my own end, OTT's Fifth Anniversary show is also in October with Jordan Devlin/David Starr basically capping off a year+ feud for the world title along with the bajillion guest stars they have (ORANGE CASSIDY IN DUBLIN YAY!).

But to your overall point, from my own experience I never watched much of the Monday Night Wars and by the time I was a wrestling fan, WWF brought WCW and that was that. So this is my first real experience of two big companies knocking heads in one way or another and honestly, the winner here is us. Regardless of what happens, there's more choice then there ever has been and enough talent to stack two shows so it's good for all of us, even if it will be overwhelming to start with.

I mean, there was when TNA tried to go Mondays against Raw, but this is a significantly different situation, with a weaker WWE than the 2010 war had, AEW not going toe to toe with their A show, and WWE more rattled already than TNA ever got them. To my knowledge, they didn't institute a hiring freeze. TNA never had the ticket sales success that AEW is experiencing, and Double or Nothing and All Out both handily beat the highest sold peak TNA PPV sales.

This isn't me doomsaying that AEW will put Vince in the poor house, rah rah rah, or whatever, that'd be asinine, but this is already a presence WWE has had to recognize before they even had TV yet, and this is going to get pretty damn interesting to watch develop.

[eJm]

Sept 18, 2019 5:51:37 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

Sept 18, 2019 5:36:31 GMT -5 eJm said:

For my own end, OTT's Fifth Anniversary show is also in October with Jordan Devlin/David Starr basically capping off a year+ feud for the world title along with the bajillion guest stars they have (ORANGE CASSIDY IN DUBLIN YAY!).

But to your overall point, from my own experience I never watched much of the Monday Night Wars and by the time I was a wrestling fan, WWF brought WCW and that was that. So this is my first real experience of two big companies knocking heads in one way or another and honestly, the winner here is us. Regardless of what happens, there's more choice then there ever has been and enough talent to stack two shows so it's good for all of us, even if it will be overwhelming to start with.

I mean, there was when TNA tried to go Mondays against Raw, but this is a significantly different situation, with a weaker WWE than the 2010 war had, AEW not going toe to toe with their A show, and WWE more rattled already than TNA ever got them. To my knowledge, they didn't institute a hiring freeze. TNA never had the ticket sales success that AEW is experiencing, and Double or Nothing and All Out both handily beat the highest sold peak TNA PPV sales.

This isn't me doomsaying that AEW will put Vince in the poor house, rah rah rah, or whatever, that'd be asinine, but this is already a presence WWE has had to recognize before they even had TV yet, and this is going to get pretty damn interesting to watch develop.

Yeah, their response to TNA seemed more to be "Let's do the shows we'd usually do for the Road to WrestleMania except we somewhat have this other show pegging at us" and they never did anything like what WWE's done with AEW so far because they obviously saw, like the rest of us did, that the foundations weren't there to keep that up and never really were.

This feels different and the fact WWE is recognising that shows me personally that this is something to get excited about if it gets Vince using tactics he used against WCW back in the day ("Blood and Guts" etc).

[Mozenrath]

Sept 18, 2019 5:58:55 GMT -5 eJm said:

Sept 18, 2019 5:51:37 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

I mean, there was when TNA tried to go Mondays against Raw, but this is a significantly different situation, with a weaker WWE than the 2010 war had, AEW not going toe to toe with their A show, and WWE more rattled already than TNA ever got them. To my knowledge, they didn't institute a hiring freeze. TNA never had the ticket sales success that AEW is experiencing, and Double or Nothing and All Out both handily beat the highest sold peak TNA PPV sales.

This isn't me doomsaying that AEW will put Vince in the poor house, rah rah rah, or whatever, that'd be asinine, but this is already a presence WWE has had to recognize before they even had TV yet, and this is going to get pretty damn interesting to watch develop.

Yeah, their response to TNA seemed more to be "Let's do the shows we'd usually do for the Road to WrestleMania except we somewhat have this other show pegging at us" and they never did anything like what WWE's done with AEW so far because they obviously saw, like the rest of us did, that the foundations weren't there to keep that up and never really were.

This feels different and the fact WWE is recognising that shows me personally that this is something to get excited about if it gets Vince using tactics he used against WCW back in the day ("Blood and Guts" etc).

Right. We've also seen benefits for wrestlers, like Mike and Maria getting fat deals and actual screen presence. It's... what it is, but they're on TV.

That's the thing. I am glad they're only sorta yes, sorta no on directly competing, with WWE dicking with them a bit with Evolve and now NXT, but it's nothing that's going to eat into either's bottom line enough to bleed them out. It means we're, hopefully, not going to get quite a war of attrition and that competition can elevate wrestling as a whole in the US, but that's optimistic. There are probably going to be casualties of this cold war, but for now, wrestlers are getting much more bargaining power, and fans are getting options. Those can both only be a good thing right now.

[eJm]

Sept 18, 2019 6:06:07 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

Sept 18, 2019 5:58:55 GMT -5 eJm said:

Yeah, their response to TNA seemed more to be "Let's do the shows we'd usually do for the Road to WrestleMania except we somewhat have this other show pegging at us" and they never did anything like what WWE's done with AEW so far because they obviously saw, like the rest of us did, that the foundations weren't there to keep that up and never really were.

This feels different and the fact WWE is recognising that shows me personally that this is something to get excited about if it gets Vince using tactics he used against WCW back in the day ("Blood and Guts" etc).

Right. We've also seen benefits for wrestlers, like Mike and Maria getting fat deals and actual screen presence. It's... what it is, but they're on TV.

That's the thing. I am glad they're only sorta yes, sorta no on directly competing, with WWE dicking with them a bit with Evolve and now NXT, but it's nothing that's going to eat into either's bottom line enough to bleed them out. It means we're, hopefully, not going to get quite a war of attrition and that competition can elevate wrestling as a whole in the US, but that's optimistic. There are probably going to be casualties of this cold war, but for now, wrestlers are getting much more bargaining power, and fans are getting options. Those can both only be a good thing right now.

The moment when they signed Jinder for 5 years was the moment it felt shit got serious. Mostly because I don't think they've ever offered a big money deal like that to someone whose not even on TV much anymore.

I don't think we're far off from a "downside guarentee" moment where something happens that fundamentally shifts how contracts work in pro wrestling. Could be healthcare, could be travel, could be a union of some kind (really bold but not as far off as it once was), just something that we'll take for granted a few years from now regardless of whether there's a "winner" of all this or not.

[Mozenrath]

Sept 18, 2019 6:24:56 GMT -5 eJm said:

Sept 18, 2019 6:06:07 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

Right. We've also seen benefits for wrestlers, like Mike and Maria getting fat deals and actual screen presence. It's... what it is, but they're on TV.

That's the thing. I am glad they're only sorta yes, sorta no on directly competing, with WWE dicking with them a bit with Evolve and now NXT, but it's nothing that's going to eat into either's bottom line enough to bleed them out. It means we're, hopefully, not going to get quite a war of attrition and that competition can elevate wrestling as a whole in the US, but that's optimistic. There are probably going to be casualties of this cold war, but for now, wrestlers are getting much more bargaining power, and fans are getting options. Those can both only be a good thing right now.

I don't think we're far off from a "downside guarentee" moment where something happens that fundamentally shifts how contracts work in pro wrestling. Could be healthcare, could be travel, could be a union of some kind (really bold but not as far off as it once was), just something that we'll take for granted a few years from now regardless of whether there's a "winner" of all this or not.

Of these, travel feels like the most plausible, but yeah, it's going to be *something*. I feel like WWE has taken too many licks from media, and now this added pressure, for it to not have to have at least a token effort on their part to improve quality of life for the wrestlers, but I'm not quite sure what it will be. It's probably going to come down to whatever math works and what WWE thinks is the most likely thing to placate the wrestlers and look good.

[Deleted]

Is plenty of stuff going on on paper, although AEW's really the only thing I actually care about.

[Mozenrath]

Sept 18, 2019 6:32:00 GMT -5 Lizuka #BLM said:

Is plenty of stuff going on on paper, although AEW's really the only thing I actually care about.

Oh, AEW is easily the thing I am most interested in, but I'm still interesting how WWE fares on Fox and how NXT adjusts to increased scrutiny and a second hour. Doesn't mean I am likely to almost ever pick them over AEW.

[JoDaNa1281]

Don't forget NJPW having one of their "Big 3" shows, in King of Pro-Wrestling. Plus, yes, BFG is Impact's biggest PPV.

[markymark]

AAA has their show at LA on October 13th, Heroes Inmortales on October 19th, NWA has tv tapings at the beginning of October iirc.

[XaviersSS2015hair]

Sept 18, 2019 12:48:50 GMT -5 markymark said:

AAA has their show at LA on October 13th, Heroes Inmortales on October 19th, NWA has tv tapings at the beginning of October iirc.

I'm probably in the minority here but I'm really looking forward to those NWA tapings and hope they actually air sometime soon and don't sit around forever like those GFW tapings a few years ago. I really enjoyed the Crockett Cup earlier this year but that was due dual-branded with ROH. I want to see what NWA can do on their own.
Also not looking forward to the death of NXT. Is 2 hours really a good thing when all you're going to get is more filler like lame-ass scripted promos and Vanessa Bourne matches?

[Dub H]

So huge it will be the size of Batista's Dick

[Dub H]

Sept 18, 2019 13:53:53 GMT -5 XaviersSS2015hair said:

Sept 18, 2019 12:48:50 GMT -5 markymark said:

AAA has their show at LA on October 13th, Heroes Inmortales on October 19th, NWA has tv tapings at the beginning of October iirc.

I'm probably in the minority here but I'm really looking forward to those NWA tapings and hope they actually air sometime soon and don't sit around forever like those GFW tapings a few years ago. I really enjoyed the Crockett Cup earlier this year but that was due dual-branded with ROH. I want to see what NWA can do on their own.
Also not looking forward to the death of NXT. Is 2 hours really a good thing when all you're going to get is more filler like lame-ass scripted promos and Vanessa Bourne matches?

I'm just not intereste din any of the NWA Talent, but if they find their audience ,better for wrestling.

[Mozenrath]

Sept 18, 2019 13:53:53 GMT -5 XaviersSS2015hair said:

Sept 18, 2019 12:48:50 GMT -5 markymark said:

AAA has their show at LA on October 13th, Heroes Inmortales on October 19th, NWA has tv tapings at the beginning of October iirc.

I'm probably in the minority here but I'm really looking forward to those NWA tapings and hope they actually air sometime soon and don't sit around forever like those GFW tapings a few years ago. I really enjoyed the Crockett Cup earlier this year but that was due dual-branded with ROH. I want to see what NWA can do on their own.
Also not looking forward to the death of NXT. Is 2 hours really a good thing when all you're going to get is more filler like lame-ass scripted promos and Vanessa Bourne matches?

I'm intrigued by the NWA tapings and do hope it amounts to something, yeah, and isn't another Global Force fiasco.

As for NXT, they'll be using the 205 guys, so that's going to patch up some of the holes, but yeah, I am not terribly optimistic about if they can make compelling TV.

[JoDaNa1281]

Sept 18, 2019 14:04:41 GMT -5 Dub H said:

So huge it will be the size of Batista's Dick

Not quite "2 Cold Scorpio's dick" big, but still bigly.

[Chainsaw]

Sept 18, 2019 14:04:41 GMT -5 Dub H said:

So huge it will be the size of Batista's Dick

Wrestlemania, All Out 2, and the Von Erichs all coming back from the dead could all happen in October, and it wouldn't be even close to that big.

[Hypnosis]

Sept 18, 2019 16:17:52 GMT -5 Chainsaw said:

Sept 18, 2019 14:04:41 GMT -5 Dub H said:

So huge it will be the size of Batista's Dick

Wrestlemania, All Out 2, and the Von Erichs all coming back from the dead could all happen in October, and it wouldn't be even close to that big.

Close enough on the Von Erichs, because two of Kevin's sons won a big WarGames-inspired match on MLW last week.

[XaviersSS2015hair]

Sept 18, 2019 14:05:30 GMT -5 Dub H said:

Sept 18, 2019 13:53:53 GMT -5 XaviersSS2015hair said:

I'm probably in the minority here but I'm really looking forward to those NWA tapings and hope they actually air sometime soon and don't sit around forever like those GFW tapings a few years ago. I really enjoyed the Crockett Cup earlier this year but that was due dual-branded with ROH. I want to see what NWA can do on their own.
Also not looking forward to the death of NXT. Is 2 hours really a good thing when all you're going to get is more filler like lame-ass scripted promos and Vanessa Bourne matches?

I'm just not intereste din any of the NWA Talent, but if they find their audience ,better for wrestling.

That's where I'm at with it. I'm not a huge fan of any of their current roster with the exception of James Storm but if it can give exposure to a new crop of talent and be a place for others to work after they're done wherever they currently are then as you said, better for everyone.

[XaviersSS2015hair]

Sept 18, 2019 16:01:44 GMT -5 JoDaNa1281 said:

Sept 18, 2019 14:04:41 GMT -5 Dub H said:

So huge it will be the size of Batista's Dick

Not quite "2 Cold Scorpio's dick" big, but still bigly.

"10 inches... SOFT!!!" - Sandman.