Post by Scooterdust on Mar 1, 2014 16:34:59 GMT -5
I had posted this on Facebook and I figured I'd post it here and see what you all think.
We all know that there are so many other sources to watch wrestling that isn't the WWE, but what if the WWE decided to open up the network to independent promotions?
I know someone will state the obvious with regards to the relation between WWE and other promotions, so let's put that aside for now.
What if the WWE Network was not just a non-stop source for everything the WWE owns, but a network where we could view other promotions that we normally wouldn't be able to see?
It stands to reason that if the WWE sees professional wrestling as a true business industry, then the WWE should look into building lasting relationships with other smaller promotions to beef up the network. From a business standpoint, the relationship would be beneficial.
There are 2 ideas that were running through my mind. The first is a promotion signs a contract with the WWE to broadcast a number of shows to air on the network as well as the VOD library. The second idea is the WWE makes time slots on the network available for purchase at a reasonable rate to established promotions or for one-off shows that usually aren't tied to a promotion (tribute shows, shows featuring legends, etc.)
The benefits of this possibility are numerous. It exposes talent to fans that they might never see otherwise. It exposes talent to the WWE that they might never have considered before. It also opens up the gates for the WWE to allow contracted talent to appear on these shows under their terms, thus giving fans more of a reason to watch, and even attend these shows if they are in their area. These are the primary benefits, but I understand that these are ONLY the talent benefits.
Going back to that business standpoint, if this were to happen, logic dictates that the profits could increase a decent amount (nothing substantial in the beginning, but when this figurative relationship spreads around the business, the income could increase steadily).
I do however think that if this was ever to be implemented, the relationship between the WWE and any promotion would have to kept at a business level, meaning that the WWE has no say in running the promotion or dictating what happens on those shows, but they would retain the right to object or demand edits to any segment or match that they think wouldn't be suitable for the network. Going even further, the WWE could establish a set of guidelines for promotions who want to purchase time on the network. If the show was featuring WWE talent, the WWE would have more of a right to approve how that talent is used.
We've now arrived at the fans standpoint. Many would say that the WWE pretty much has a monopoly on wrestling as it is, but then again, they would most likely say that the WWE is now more about "entertainment" than wrestling. Most fans would probably say that something like this would ruin the "feel" of independent promotions, and would argue that any talent the WWE pursues from this relationship would be treated terribly because the WWE didn't create them from the ground up. One could also argue that if a talent/promotion ends up overshadowing the WWE, the WWE would exercise their muscle to stop it (but that is where the relationship has to truly be defined and detailed). I'm sure I'm forgetting a number of reasons why fans would be against this, so I'll leave that up to you guys.
Coming to my closing point, the WWE is seen as "the glass ceiling" of professional wrestling, where if you make it to them, you've achieved the main goal of why you wanted to wrestle in the first place (to get to the WWE). If the WWE is truly devoted to keeping professional wrestling as a successful and growing industry, it is almost inevitable that they should open up lasting relationships with smaller promotions. If this isn't where the WWE Network, and pro wrestling in general is heading, then it would be like someone discovering the cure for a fatal disease and refusing to share it with those who will need it.
So I open this up to you. Does this seem like the direction the WWE Network should head in? Would you be for this or against this? Can you think of any other reasons why this should happen or not happen? I hope no one will chastise anyone for their opinions on this, and this can be kept to a productive and insightful discussion.
We all know that there are so many other sources to watch wrestling that isn't the WWE, but what if the WWE decided to open up the network to independent promotions?
I know someone will state the obvious with regards to the relation between WWE and other promotions, so let's put that aside for now.
What if the WWE Network was not just a non-stop source for everything the WWE owns, but a network where we could view other promotions that we normally wouldn't be able to see?
It stands to reason that if the WWE sees professional wrestling as a true business industry, then the WWE should look into building lasting relationships with other smaller promotions to beef up the network. From a business standpoint, the relationship would be beneficial.
There are 2 ideas that were running through my mind. The first is a promotion signs a contract with the WWE to broadcast a number of shows to air on the network as well as the VOD library. The second idea is the WWE makes time slots on the network available for purchase at a reasonable rate to established promotions or for one-off shows that usually aren't tied to a promotion (tribute shows, shows featuring legends, etc.)
The benefits of this possibility are numerous. It exposes talent to fans that they might never see otherwise. It exposes talent to the WWE that they might never have considered before. It also opens up the gates for the WWE to allow contracted talent to appear on these shows under their terms, thus giving fans more of a reason to watch, and even attend these shows if they are in their area. These are the primary benefits, but I understand that these are ONLY the talent benefits.
Going back to that business standpoint, if this were to happen, logic dictates that the profits could increase a decent amount (nothing substantial in the beginning, but when this figurative relationship spreads around the business, the income could increase steadily).
I do however think that if this was ever to be implemented, the relationship between the WWE and any promotion would have to kept at a business level, meaning that the WWE has no say in running the promotion or dictating what happens on those shows, but they would retain the right to object or demand edits to any segment or match that they think wouldn't be suitable for the network. Going even further, the WWE could establish a set of guidelines for promotions who want to purchase time on the network. If the show was featuring WWE talent, the WWE would have more of a right to approve how that talent is used.
We've now arrived at the fans standpoint. Many would say that the WWE pretty much has a monopoly on wrestling as it is, but then again, they would most likely say that the WWE is now more about "entertainment" than wrestling. Most fans would probably say that something like this would ruin the "feel" of independent promotions, and would argue that any talent the WWE pursues from this relationship would be treated terribly because the WWE didn't create them from the ground up. One could also argue that if a talent/promotion ends up overshadowing the WWE, the WWE would exercise their muscle to stop it (but that is where the relationship has to truly be defined and detailed). I'm sure I'm forgetting a number of reasons why fans would be against this, so I'll leave that up to you guys.
Coming to my closing point, the WWE is seen as "the glass ceiling" of professional wrestling, where if you make it to them, you've achieved the main goal of why you wanted to wrestle in the first place (to get to the WWE). If the WWE is truly devoted to keeping professional wrestling as a successful and growing industry, it is almost inevitable that they should open up lasting relationships with smaller promotions. If this isn't where the WWE Network, and pro wrestling in general is heading, then it would be like someone discovering the cure for a fatal disease and refusing to share it with those who will need it.
So I open this up to you. Does this seem like the direction the WWE Network should head in? Would you be for this or against this? Can you think of any other reasons why this should happen or not happen? I hope no one will chastise anyone for their opinions on this, and this can be kept to a productive and insightful discussion.
