Post by andrew8798 on Mar 19, 2012 22:33:27 GMT -5
Officials from WWE told Bright House Sports network today, which airs the FCW shows in Florida, that they are closing down the promotion and will not be doing anymore television after the final three shows taped last week air.
WWE officials told Bright House Sports that they are folding the promotion, closing the gym, and moving everyone to Stamford, CT for the time being until they figure out what they are going to do with developmental.
Those in WWE also heard news today and were given the impression the company was going to do developmental out of Conneticut and possibly open a second developmental territory.
WWE officials told Bright House Sports that they are folding the promotion, closing the gym, and moving everyone to Stamford, CT for the time being until they figure out what they are going to do with developmental.
Those in WWE also heard news today and were given the impression the company was going to do developmental out of Conneticut and possibly open a second developmental territory.
-F4W
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Updates:
From PWImsider:
FLORIDA CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING-WWE DEVELOPMENTAL UPDATE
by Mike Johnson @ 10:16 AM on 3/20/2012
The biggest story overnight was that WWE would be shutting down their developmental system in Florida, Florida Championship Wrestling. The story actually led to FCW trending worldwide on Twitter last night.
All we can confirm is that the FCW weekly series is coming to a close on Brighthouse Sports Network, based on a conversation we've had with the Network this morning. They did not confirm a final episode airing. Their current schedule lists the show airing through 4/15. In recent weeks, there had been discussions about moving the FCW tapings and TV show to another market, possibly somewhere in the Orlando area, so that could explain why the Brighthouse series would come to a close.
In regard to the story that WWE developmental was being pulled out of Florida, no WWE sources have confirmed that and some scoffed at the idea it was true.
FCW's daily operations began and ended yesterday with no such notice to the wrestlers or staff. They are ongoing today with no such announcement.
A number of people were shocked last night that WWE would attempt to do this so soon before Wrestlemania and to say there were people who have been working in FCW beside themselves with worry is one of the biggest understatements thus far this year, but nothing, NOTHING has been said to any talents.
That's not to say that there isn't fire where there is smoke. The WWE developmental system isn't perfect. No system is. Of late, WWE sources indicate that Vince McMahon was recently upset over the current WWE talent pool "not being over" and "not being ready", which led to a lot of finger pointing. Shortly after, Ty Bailey was let go from the company. Bailey had headed the developmental system, although he was routinely criticized by wrestlers for his gruff nature and lack of communication.
But does one firing and the TV show shutting down equate that this is the end of FCW? Right now, we have no official confirmation of that from anyone within WWE at this point and time. If it is the end, the irony is that the FCW system has never, ever, ever been as stocked with potential top stars as much as they are right now, with Dean Ambrose,Richie Steamboat, Seth Rollins, Kassius Ohno, Antonio Cesaro, etc. Shutting it down now would be, in my opinion, pure insanity. They can always improve the system but shutting down their only outlet right now - well, that's insane, even by wrestling standards.
We'll update as we confirm more. Currently, all PWInsider.com can confirm is that the TV series on Brighthouse is ending. Nothing else. Stay tuned.
by Mike Johnson @ 10:16 AM on 3/20/2012
The biggest story overnight was that WWE would be shutting down their developmental system in Florida, Florida Championship Wrestling. The story actually led to FCW trending worldwide on Twitter last night.
All we can confirm is that the FCW weekly series is coming to a close on Brighthouse Sports Network, based on a conversation we've had with the Network this morning. They did not confirm a final episode airing. Their current schedule lists the show airing through 4/15. In recent weeks, there had been discussions about moving the FCW tapings and TV show to another market, possibly somewhere in the Orlando area, so that could explain why the Brighthouse series would come to a close.
In regard to the story that WWE developmental was being pulled out of Florida, no WWE sources have confirmed that and some scoffed at the idea it was true.
FCW's daily operations began and ended yesterday with no such notice to the wrestlers or staff. They are ongoing today with no such announcement.
A number of people were shocked last night that WWE would attempt to do this so soon before Wrestlemania and to say there were people who have been working in FCW beside themselves with worry is one of the biggest understatements thus far this year, but nothing, NOTHING has been said to any talents.
That's not to say that there isn't fire where there is smoke. The WWE developmental system isn't perfect. No system is. Of late, WWE sources indicate that Vince McMahon was recently upset over the current WWE talent pool "not being over" and "not being ready", which led to a lot of finger pointing. Shortly after, Ty Bailey was let go from the company. Bailey had headed the developmental system, although he was routinely criticized by wrestlers for his gruff nature and lack of communication.
But does one firing and the TV show shutting down equate that this is the end of FCW? Right now, we have no official confirmation of that from anyone within WWE at this point and time. If it is the end, the irony is that the FCW system has never, ever, ever been as stocked with potential top stars as much as they are right now, with Dean Ambrose,Richie Steamboat, Seth Rollins, Kassius Ohno, Antonio Cesaro, etc. Shutting it down now would be, in my opinion, pure insanity. They can always improve the system but shutting down their only outlet right now - well, that's insane, even by wrestling standards.
We'll update as we confirm more. Currently, all PWInsider.com can confirm is that the TV series on Brighthouse is ending. Nothing else. Stay tuned.
WWE DEVELOPMENTAL UPDATE
by Mike Johnson @ 11:51 AM on 3/20/2012
Sources within WWE are stating that there are no plans to shut down WWE developmental Florida Championship Wrestling.
As we wrote earlier, the TV series on Brighthouse Sports Network in Florida is coming to an end, but there have been discussions to move tapings to another location and network.
All FCW training is ongoing as scheduled today. Talents have been told there is nothing to worryabout. All currently booked FCW events are still on as scheduled.
by Mike Johnson @ 11:51 AM on 3/20/2012
Sources within WWE are stating that there are no plans to shut down WWE developmental Florida Championship Wrestling.
As we wrote earlier, the TV series on Brighthouse Sports Network in Florida is coming to an end, but there have been discussions to move tapings to another location and network.
All FCW training is ongoing as scheduled today. Talents have been told there is nothing to worryabout. All currently booked FCW events are still on as scheduled.
Finally, straight from Paul Levesque himself via WWE.com:
Monday night, an unreliable online news source published an erroneous report that WWE was shutting down operations of our developmental facility, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). In order to set the record straight, WWE.com interviewed WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent, Paul Levesque (also known as WWE Superstar Triple H) to address this issue.
“It is absolutely not true. FCW is not closing,” Triple H said. “I don’t know how the rumor started but I believe it’s a situation where the ‘dirt sheets’ want to believe they have the scoop on everything. If anything, we are in the process of ramping up our entire developmental system. It’s the lifeblood of our company. It’s what feeds our future and in no way are we going to close it down.”
Levesque also addressed plans to relocate training or FCW TV tapings out of its home of Tampa, Fla.
“There are plans in the works, but nothing definitive I can discuss right now,” he said. “Shortly after WrestleMania, there will be a major announcement about our developmental system.”
He continued, “WWE’s developmental system is being revamped, not shut down. If anything, it’s going to get bigger and better than ever. WWE Developmental cultivates the future talent of WWE. By no means is it going to get smaller or shut down.”
