The end of FCW? *UPDATE NOT TRUE*

[Chainsaw]

There is a good point brought up by all this. Does this mean that everyone's getting new names and gimmicks with this move over? I've never been all that sure who comes up with the names for wrestlers, but we all know how they've been awful. It'll be interesting to see if they reboot everyone or just build off of what they've got already.

[Dr. Bunsen Honeydew]

Mar 19, 2012 23:17:19 GMT -5 Michael Coello said:

Well, think of all the money Florida will save not pulling over drunk developmental guys?

But think of all the money they lose from no longer being able to citie drunk developmental guys for DUI.

[theryno665]

Just as long as Lift Sawyer gets another chance...

[brigante133]

Mar 20, 2012 6:19:39 GMT -5 Tiger Maskooo said:

Mar 20, 2012 0:49:35 GMT -5 eldandyjamupguy said:

This is great news.

FCW was probably the worst development territory ever associated with the WWF/E. Was simply garbage. I know that it got interesting since they signed on Black, Hero, Claudio, and that other dude who's name escapes me (the crazy dude with the good pre-tapes), but they will travel to the new territory and it will be better.

New location + new trainers = potential to get back to where developmental used to be.

The crazy dude is Dean Ambrose and he had the name Jon Moxley on the indys. I wouldn't feel bad about forgetting the name Dean Ambrose though because as much as I love that guy,thats one of the worst names of any talent ever.

And man the closing of fcw is awesome news.

As soon as I read that story I was like oh man, I hope this doesn't interfere with those rumors that they were thinking of bringing up Dean Ambrose. I don't think that name is too bad though. If that dude's brand of crazy is controlled enough to get a development deal and stay out of trouble, it'd be really interesting seeing him in WWE.

[Deleted]

About Dean Ambrose, and not about that terrible name - no exposure to him whatsoever (or anyone in FCW, outside of half of an Ohno and whatever they're calling Claudio Unspellable tag match), but the guy coming up always makes me think back to when he was signed, when one person was talking about how awesome he was and no one else had heard of the guy.

[________ has left the building]

Bad news to hear but I guess WWE wanted to bring developmental closer to home in order to control it more.

[joebob27]

My guess is that they know Rollins, Moxley, KOW are ready and they don't give two about the other guys right now. Obviously Rollins is going to start doing TV real soon. Claudio/Antonio can't be far behind and they can just shove Hero in a tanning machine and he should pretty much be ready.

[Finish Uncle Muffin’s Story]

I wouldn't be surprised if the WWE bought a studio space in Stamford, set up shop there and started filming developmental shows for the network.

[The Doctor]

Mar 20, 2012 7:45:40 GMT -5 Chainsaw said:

There is a good point brought up by all this. Does this mean that everyone's getting new names and gimmicks with this move over? I've never been all that sure who comes up with the names for wrestlers, but we all know how they've been awful. It'll be interesting to see if they reboot everyone or just build off of what they've got already.

As far as I am aware the names are taken from a list of possible names chosen by the wrestler in question.
So it's probably unlikely they'll change the names they already have.

[Apricots And A Pear Tree]

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 thus far 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 scheduled lists the show airing through 4/15.

In recent weeks, there had been discussions about moving the FCW tapings and 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, FCW's daily operations began and ended yesterday with no such notice to the wrestlers or staff. A number of people were shocked that WWE would attempt to do this so soon before Wrestlemania and to say there were people who have been working for FCW beside themselves with worry is one of the biggest understatements thus far this year.

That's not to say that there isn't fire where there is smoke. WWE sources indicate that Vince McMahon was recently upset over the current WWE talent pool "not being over" and 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.
-PWInsider

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

Mar 19, 2012 23:14:49 GMT -5 Richard said:

Mar 19, 2012 23:12:55 GMT -5 kingoftheindies said:

I honestly wouldn't be shocked if they tried to work some sort of deal with Lance Storm. They've signed a few of his students and while he was down in OVW the developmental guys thought he was the best trainer they had.

Seems that would be a lot of trouble though since they'd have to get so many people to get the right to work in Canada (and Lance has said he isn't traveling).

And that's why I doubt Storm will ever be the primary developmental, but Storm has said there is open dialog about a formal agreement, so i could see him being a secondary eventually.

Also, I think he's said he was offered taking over as the head of FCW at one point. I know he's still on great terms with them

[Deleted]

Shit rolls downhill folks.

When things aren't going well, people point the finger beneath them until there's nowhere left to point.

[barthelemykaras]

If Vince wants to blame anyone for the fact this company is near utterly incapable of making new stars, he should blame his crap creative team and their love of yo-yo booking.

[That Mickie Fan]

Mar 20, 2012 8:19:08 GMT -5 Lizuka #BLM said:

About Dean Ambrose, and not about that terrible name - no exposure to him whatsoever (or anyone in FCW, outside of half of an Ohno and whatever they're calling Claudio Unspellable tag match), but the guy coming up always makes me think back to when he was signed, when one person was talking about how awesome he was and no one else had heard of the guy.

That's not half as bad as Kassius Ohno.

[________ has left the building]

Another update:

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 worry about. All currently booked FCW events are still on as scheduled.

PWInsider

[Deleted]

well that seems like much ado about nothing then

[froggyfrog]

That awkward moment when PWI gets a bit of news about FCW TV changes and sensationalizes it into the entire development system shutting down and/or moving up the Connecticut and then everyone online believes it and freaks out.

[CH Punk]

Mar 20, 2012 11:50:37 GMT -5 froggyfrog said:

That awkward moment when PWI gets a bit of news about FCW TV changes and sensationalizes it into the entire development system shutting down and/or moving up the Connecticut and then everyone online believes it and freaks out.

It was Meltzer who broke the original story about FCW closing down; PWI did the followup stating that the only certain thing was that the show was being removed from Bright House.

[Baldobomb-22-OH-MAN!!!]

Mar 19, 2012 22:51:13 GMT -5 kingoftheindies said:

While I think FCW has come a long way in the last 2 years (rough estimate), I can see the areas where they'd be unhappy with how things are going (I love the action, but the show is kind of tough to watch)

Plus, with Triple H wanting to revamp developmental, probably a good idea.

What was the huge issue with DSW while we are talking about developmental? I vaguely remember hearing that WWE officials were upset about how the guys were being trained but I don't quite remember the entire story.

And you are seeing more and more where they miss OVW. Sure the track record for guys coming up wasn't always the best, but OVW was insanely well booked and the guys there learnt how to work a crowd and develop their personalities. And the show looked decent on tv

from what I understand aboout DSW, the problem was that the guys running it made Paul Heyman look like a financial genius.

[Stab Sword]

I blame the Audrey Marie vs. Sofia Cortez vs. Raquel Diaz triple threat match for FCW closing. If I ran a promotion and that match happened i'd shut it down too.