Allie Kitsune
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Always Feelin' Foxy.
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Post by Allie Kitsune on Feb 11, 2024 15:19:00 GMT -5
But what is 'little to no results' here? If they make the show engaging in a way that keeps the audience watching longer term to see a very talented wrestler, if they buy his merchandise, if they buy tickets when the show is in town that they might be on the fence for, but oh shit they get to see Okada live for the first time so they're in now. It's super reductionist to boil this down to the idea that if someone isn't bringing in a new audience that they aren't worth the price tag. People always say "with little or no results* when AEW has made more money every year since it started. What they really mean is "they aren't immediately as popular as the monolithic juggernaut that's existed for like 40 years and had an uncontested monopoly for almost 20 of them". AEW is growing its brand just fine, Rome wasn't built in a day. The perception that Every Free Agent That Matters chooses them over WWE certainly counts as "results", IMO. |
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Post by Final Countdown Jones on Feb 11, 2024 15:20:15 GMT -5
Mercedes already moved 5k+ tickets for a larger arena in a single day just off the hints she was making her AEW debut there (and this is around the same timeframe where Meltzer was making ticket sales comparisons to WCW 2000). Unless your idea of "moving the needle" is a Roman Reigns-esque megastar, it sounds like an impossible standard to meet. Shhhhhh don't say the quiet part out loud |
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Post by Hanky McCranky Jr. on Feb 11, 2024 15:21:26 GMT -5
Mercedes already moved 5k+ tickets for a larger arena in a single day just off the hints she was making her AEW debut there (and this is around the same timeframe where Meltzer was making ticket sales comparisons to WCW 2000). Unless your idea of "moving the needle" is a Roman Reigns-esque megastar, it sounds like an impossible standard to meet. Yeah I think TV ratings are going to be the hardest area for AEW to grow, but certainly certain talent can help with ticket sales and PPV buys (in conjunction with hopefully improved booking). Yeah, that's their biggest challenge since cord-cutting naturally shrinks the audience and WWE's current growth the past year and a half is very much an exception to the rule. It's also why it's important for AEW's next TV deal to have some sort of streaming service component. |
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Bo Rida
Fry's dog Seymour
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Got away with it, this time.
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Post by Bo Rida on Feb 11, 2024 15:23:53 GMT -5
But what is 'little to no results' here? If they make the show engaging in a way that keeps the audience watching longer term to see a very talented wrestler, if they buy his merchandise, if they buy tickets when the show is in town that they might be on the fence for, but oh shit they get to see Okada live for the first time so they're in now. It's super reductionist to boil this down to the idea that if someone isn't bringing in a new audience that they aren't worth the price tag. Not to mention bringing in THE biggest import from Japan could and should help further grow your international audience. I don't think AEW is quite ready to do a Japan tour, but having Okada would certainly help expedite the move Yes having a presence in Japan is hugely important to AEW’strategy. We've seen one side of it with the partnerships and getting a presence on shows and streaming services. This the other side. Even if Okada does nothing for ratings in the short term he's huge for perception across the world and Japan in particular. In the long term that will help business. It's not all about short term ratings and ticket sales. |
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Post by Hanky McCranky Jr. on Feb 11, 2024 15:25:54 GMT -5
Considering the relationship between AEW and NJPW, I wonder if Okada would be open to working freelance for NJPW. I know his decision to leave is purely a business one on his end, but I'm not sure if there's any lingering bad feelings or not.
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Post by "Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik on Feb 11, 2024 15:29:08 GMT -5
Considering the relationship between AEW and NJPW, I wonder if Okada would be open to working freelance for NJPW. I know his decision to leave is purely a business one on his end, but I'm not sure if there's any lingering bad feelings or not. The exit seemed pretty classy and even had Okada go over in the end. I'm sure it won't be immediate but I imagine he will work a Tokyo Dome at some point in the next 1-2 years. |
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Post by "The Natural" Bustin Loads on Feb 11, 2024 15:29:10 GMT -5
The expected and safer choice for him, especially since relocating is a big deal. I'd have preferred WWE because there's a fresher talent pool and a huge presentation question that would have been fascinating to watch.
It'll be the case to a smaller degree in AEW. Okada is such a big name that, unlike a Suzuki or Ishii, you can't have him show up and just wrestle. He needs to interact with the roster and respond/initiate feud segments. Will that be done solely by translated interviews? Does he try to slowly learn some English? He did tons of post-match promos and press conferences in NJPW. It wasn't just ring-work that made him a star.
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UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm
Wade Wilson
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Post by UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm on Feb 11, 2024 15:30:30 GMT -5
Considering the relationship between AEW and NJPW, I wonder if Okada would be open to working freelance for NJPW. I know his decision to leave is purely a business one on his end, but I'm not sure if there's any lingering bad feelings or not. This all feels like a way for Okada to make more money, do something different but still show up in NJPW pretty often. It doesn't really look like their partnership is fading by any means and I would be shocked if he isn't still having NJPW matches from time to time. |
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Fade
Patti Mayonnaise
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Post by Fade on Feb 11, 2024 15:30:43 GMT -5
God I hope so If the rumors are to be believed, both with this and Mone, Tony threw more money at them. Just worth mentioning (and it's been like this for over a year at least), AEW can match WWE offers if they want to. It's more or less now if they feel it's worth matching. Or surpass. |
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Zone Was Wrong
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Currently living off the high that AEW brings every Wednesday and Friday
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Post by Zone Was Wrong on Feb 11, 2024 15:33:05 GMT -5
Slam dunk of a move. Okada is the biggest star in Japan and is still in the top of wrestlers period. Has the perfect mix of charisma and wrestling technical prowess to be a star anywhere in the world. With how difficult it is to break through the main event in WWE, and with how the decrease in star power at the top right now in AEW because of injury and such, it was a no brainer for him.
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Post by BayleyTiffyCodyCenaJudyHopps on Feb 11, 2024 15:47:55 GMT -5
Great, now I have to put up with Garcia doing that stupid dance in his face and Wheeler Yuta droning on about “I always respected you Okada but now I’m the best pure wrestler now”. We could have had Chase U Okada, but noooo.
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Allie Kitsune
Crow T. Robot
Always Feelin' Foxy.
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Post by Allie Kitsune on Feb 11, 2024 15:49:04 GMT -5
Great, now I have to put up with Garcia doing that stupid dance in his face and Wheeler Yuta droning on about “I always respected you Okada but now I’m the best pure wrestler now”. We could have had Chase U Okada, but noooo. I would have seen your Chase U Okada and raised you : Meta-Five. |
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Post by Ryushinku on Feb 11, 2024 15:50:21 GMT -5
Excellent get, and hopefully means they can give Mercedes the shine first and then do Okada at a later show.
Big star, you already know guys in AEW he can have banger matches with, and does fill the recent and upcoming gaps.
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Zone Was Wrong
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Currently living off the high that AEW brings every Wednesday and Friday
Posts: 17,813
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Post by Zone Was Wrong on Feb 11, 2024 15:50:58 GMT -5
Great, now I have to put up with Garcia doing that stupid dance in his face and Wheeler Yuta droning on about “I always respected you Okada but now I’m the best pure wrestler now”. We could have had Chase U Okada, but noooo. I'm mostly with you there. I would have KILLED for NXT Okada but lets face it, we would have never gotten it and it's a damn shame. Chase U Okada would have been the true bringer of the next boom period. |
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Fade
Patti Mayonnaise
Posts: 38,694
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Post by Fade on Feb 11, 2024 15:52:07 GMT -5
Wild that Okada, Ospreay and White (and Kenny too, I guess) are all in AEW. You really gotta push those three. They each need to be major tentpoles of the company.
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Post by jm on Feb 11, 2024 15:52:27 GMT -5
Who, in your opinion, is a signing that would draw in “casual fans” that isn’t currently under contract with WWE? I don’t have an idea who moves the dial that is realistic. I think it’s more, IMO, of just throwing money and getting the same results. Hey it’s Tony’s dads money so who cares. But if you look at it from a normal business point of view, imagine dumping a bunch of money into something and getting little to no results. I also understand it’s in a startup phase and most startups lose money. Pour one out for all of AEW's shareholders. |
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Post by EoE: Workin On My Night Cheese on Feb 11, 2024 16:02:02 GMT -5
It’s better for the industry as a whole that AEW can match and even surpass WWE in some areas at the negotiation table.
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mo
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Post by mo on Feb 11, 2024 16:03:45 GMT -5
Hopefully he doesn’t get lost in the shuffle like some tend to do, but I’m excited to see what he does there.
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Fundertaker
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Post by Fundertaker on Feb 11, 2024 16:13:39 GMT -5
Considering the relationship between AEW and NJPW, I wonder if Okada would be open to working freelance for NJPW. I know his decision to leave is purely a business one on his end, but I'm not sure if there's any lingering bad feelings or not. The exit seemed pretty classy and even had Okada go over in the end. I'm sure it won't be immediate but I imagine he will work a Tokyo Dome at some point in the next 1-2 years. Okada's last NJPW match will be on the 24th in Hokkaido. |
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Fade
Patti Mayonnaise
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Post by Fade on Feb 11, 2024 16:19:47 GMT -5
It’s better for the industry as a whole that AEW can match and even surpass WWE in some areas at the negotiation table. Okada going to AEW makes me feel similarly to The Elite staying in AEW: I, personally, wanted them in WWE for the insane, shocking, entertainment aspect. Putting my own wants aside, I can see how objectively it’s healthier for the industry as a whole if they remain/go to AEW. The thing is they gotta maximize these dudes. I’m a bit concerned Tony’s carte blanche with money doesn’t have him prioritizing talent. Seemed that way with The Bucks for a minute. Saraya, Black, couple others…Okada shouldn’t waver initially like White. He needs to be presented as huge from the jump, because he is. |
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