View Full Version : #CancelWWENetwork
road doggy dogg
01-26-2015, 08:58 AM
DISCLAIMER: Rumble spoilers within
I didn't really outline this post prior to writing so it kinda jumps around a bit, hopefully the overall message and focus is not lost.
Let's talk about the SOCIAL MEDIA PHENOMENON that is #CancelWWENetwork. I am not necessarily interested in discussing the events that lead to what is happening, though they will obviously be touched upon.
Let's make the assumption that the folks tweeting this are genuine with their message and are in fact cancelling their WWE Network subscription. I feel this is a terrible blow to the WWE. FIRST and most obviously for the lack of subs in a service that is already performing well below expectations. The financial loss and trickle-down effect (stock value, etc) is going to hurt. There's really not much to discuss on that front. Losing subs = bad.
However, I'm more interested in discussing the more nefarious repercussions of such a "movement". The basis of this is that the fans are pissed that "their guy" did not win. Not even so much that Reigns won, and people feel he isn't ready/worthy (though that certainly plays a part in it), but mostly that "someone who isn't Daniel Bryan won". As consumers, their biggest weapon against the corporation is their wallet. Hit them where it hurts by costing them money and bad PR by trending that you're intentionally and deliberately voicing your discontent and cancelling your service. "That'll show 'em!", and all that.
Which is fine. It is the right of every consumer to choose what they decide to spend their money on. WWE is, after all, a luxury for us. It is entertainment, not terribly important in the grand scheme of our lives, and if we choose not to watch, that is our prerogative.
However, what kind of precedent does this send? Where do we go from here? Does the WWE "cave in" to the demands of the vocal minority and shoehorn Bryan into Wrestlemania like what the smark community wants? Do they address it head-on and tell them to shove off?
I think that if they give in to what the people are saying it sets a bad bad bad precedent. What happens next time? What if Bryan loses at WM? Do the WWE ram Bryan down our throats until he becomes the next Batista or Reigns, because "that's what the people want" ?
Let me go on record by stating that yes I do feel that Bryan winning the Rumble would have been the best move, and what I was hoping would happen. I'm not saying he shouldn't win because the WWE are letting the Twitterverse have candy past their bedtime.
I guess the point I'm eventually trying to make is that, do the fans really know what's best for them? Are they going to revolt any time they don't get their way, like some petulant children? Are they going to threaten to financially cripple the WWE any time a decision they don't like goes down?
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Vince really is out of touch. Maybe this is a wake-up call that he needs. Maybe they (the writers/bookers/whoever) need to let wrestlers' pushes happen more organically. Imagine if Austin was never given the push he was, despite his popularity? I feel like right now with Bryan they have "lightning in a bottle" and should capitalize on it. Sometimes it's okay to admit you're wrong and call an audible. For whatever reason (health concerns possibly) they do not feel Bryan is going to be THEIR GUY, but he is so clearly over that it's hard to ignore.
On the other hand, now that people are trying to force their hand, maybe they will refuse to put him over now, for fear of giving the people too much power. It's one thing to listen to your fanbase and react accordingly, but it is dangerous to give them all the booking power.
Hanso Amore
01-26-2015, 09:09 AM
With a less tangible effect fans forced Bryan into the main event last year.
That was never the plan. They caved.
This has the chance to tank stock, and even more hurt the company.
I don't know if I like fans being upset being able to effect stock price, but I think this is good. They want to be an interactive medium and it's time they start interacting, it's time they listen to the fans and give them what they want.
This isn't scripted drama. This isn't just TV. This is fans who are expected to plop down money and go to live events wanting to see what they want.
It's not childish or unrational. I think it could be harnessed into a way to create a generally great product for fans.
Hanso Amore
01-26-2015, 09:10 AM
That said no way Vince allows two years in a row a multi way main event with someone getting shoehorned in
Evil Vito
01-26-2015, 09:14 AM
<font color=goldenrod>The thing about Bryan is that he is no longer just an internet darling. His popularity has come full circle to the point where everybody likes him and he's getting the largest face pop of anybody. When was the last time there was a guy that the kids and smarks agreed upon? He's getting the reactions WWE wishes Cena would have gotten in the mid-2000s - unified cheers instead of 50/50.
Yet despite this they are just willingly ignoring what most of the fans would have wanted to see. In Vince's eyes (and I say Vince instead of WWE at this point, because at the end of the day Vince is making all of the calls), he caved to the fans once, gave Bryan him moment in the sun, and Bryan then got injured. Add that to the fact that Bryan decidedly looks nothing like Vince's vision of a top star and you get where you are now.
I said this in the Rumble thread but at this point I hope they don't cave like they did last year. The Rumble will eventually be pointless if the winner gets taken out of the WM title match or has to fight in multi-man matches every year. I'd rather they just go with Reigns vs. Lesnar. When it bombs with 60,000 people in attendance maybe only then Vince will realize he is out of touch with the modern fan. He probably won't though.
In closing:</font>
http://i.imgur.com/LJPdan6.jpg
tide Still rising
This isn't trying to tank WWE stock its trying to torpedo it
This is really the backlash that has been building for a loooong time WWE thinks they can force feed and fans have had enough that 1990s carny shit of just shoveling a shit wrestler down fans throats is over.
The Rogerer
01-26-2015, 09:16 AM
I want to have a business where if anyone decides to stop giving me money, then their peers will ridicule them and tell them they should keep giving me money. Sounds great.
road doggy dogg
01-26-2015, 09:28 AM
With a less tangible effect fans forced Bryan into the main event last year.
That was never the plan. They caved.
This has the chance to tank stock, and even more hurt the company.
I don't know if I like fans being upset being able to effect stock price, but I think this is good. They want to be an interactive medium and it's time they start interacting, it's time they listen to the fans and give them what they want.
This isn't scripted drama. This isn't just TV. This is fans who are expected to plop down money and go to live events wanting to see what they want.
It's not childish or unrational. I think it could be harnessed into a way to create a generally great product for fans.
Good point. WWE prides/markets itself on being interactive and present on social media. These claims ring hollow if they don't ever intend on actually listening to the "Universe".
At the end of the day, WWE is entertainment, and if the people aren't being entertained then what purpose is being served?
road doggy dogg
01-26-2015, 09:30 AM
I want to have a business where if anyone decides to stop giving me money, then their peers will ridicule them and tell them they should keep giving me money. Sounds great.
There are passionate fans on both sides of the argument here. There will always be detractors and there will always be fanboys
erickman
01-26-2015, 09:36 AM
glad i did not renew the network when my 6 months were over in october. rr sounds like a crappy ppv, since i did not see it what hapened to axel.
The Rogerer
01-26-2015, 09:46 AM
Also 'stock price' isn't some sacred figure, it's a reflection of the worth of the company - ie how much money they can make. If it looks like customers are leaving, hey, you might be worth less. Same applies if you're displaying incompetence, losing touch, repeating mistakes.
dablackguy
01-26-2015, 10:00 AM
While I'm not interested in canceling my subscription, I get why people are doing it. To paraphrase something I saw on Twitter:
Why does it have to be sour grapes as the reason I'm canceling when it's really as simple as WWE is selling something I'm not currently interested in buying?
Heisenberg
01-26-2015, 10:09 AM
It's nice to hear that Reigns isn't getting booed cause he sucks on the mic etc. The guy can improve. I agree they are pushing him hard, but let's see where the movement gets noticed at.
http://watchwrestling.ch/
NOW JOIN US AND CANCEL
road doggy dogg
01-26-2015, 10:18 AM
Crap, already seeing people use the "White Knight" terminology now when talking about this on Twitter. Here we go.
They think this is racial? good god
road doggy dogg
01-26-2015, 10:23 AM
Nah nothing like that, just the usual "anti-SJW" crap that plagues any online discussion
Nark Order
01-26-2015, 10:24 AM
My only problem is the anti-climax of the past two years. The guy that we absolutely knew was going to win won.
And why have Bryan in the match if he isn't going to win? You're purposely aggitating your audience and then are getting salty when they get aggitated. It's just odd.
I'm laughing so hard at people who are saying Roman deserved to win and that people are being childish by canceling yet they live in a culture of supply and demand and can't grasp the fact that people who are unhappy with a product will abandon it
Nark Order
01-26-2015, 10:32 AM
Guys. Let's face it though. That was a bad rumble. Completely sub-par. Even if Bryan had one, it was fairly shit-tastic. I'm trying to figure out what they were thinking with some of those eliminations.
Heisenberg
01-26-2015, 10:32 AM
Daniel Bryan getting jobbed out fast was stupid as piss. Bubba Ray would have been greater towards the end. The Rumble was poorly booked, maybe I was wrong about the title match going on last.
road doggy dogg
01-26-2015, 10:33 AM
I didn't intend this thread to be another Rumble discussion thread, I was more interested in discussing the greater ramifications of the reactions online and how going forward it will affect the product. JUST SAYIN'
Nark Order
01-26-2015, 10:34 AM
You bring in Bully and he gets treated like that? That's what I've never understood about WWE. They get a somewhat high profile dude from another company just so they can shit on the guy. Use him.
Heisenberg
01-26-2015, 10:34 AM
WWE Network has ads like Hulu now, that could be a dealbreaker
Nark Order
01-26-2015, 10:35 AM
This is the only thread in which I will discuss the Rumble. In fact, Narcissus is now an RDD-thread exclusive poster.
Razzamajazz
01-26-2015, 10:54 AM
....I still enjoy the Network.
Ruien
01-26-2015, 10:56 AM
I think you are wrong on the part where anyone but Daniel would have had this reaction. If Rusev would have came in at the end and tossed Reigns over the top rope the crowd would have went ape shit. There would have been no #CancelWWENetwork or whatever is being passed around. It was the classic push someone that is not ready and no one wants because the WWE wants too. Sadly, with the WWE Network, the fans have more power than before.
Wyatt, Dean, Dolph, or Ryback could have won and it would have been fine. It is mainly that Reigns won and not that Daniel lost.
The Rogerer
01-26-2015, 10:57 AM
I do hate advertising, but they also layered it through their PPVs. No Mtn Dew rubbish last night at least.
Big Vic
01-26-2015, 10:58 AM
And why have Bryan in the match if he isn't going to win? You're purposely aggitating your audience and then are getting salty when they get aggitated. It's just odd.
Lol people booed that he WASN'T in last year. How can you take him out of the match? What have him just do notinhg on the card?
You bring in Bully and he gets treated like that? That's what I've never understood about WWE. They get a somewhat high profile dude from another company just so they can shit on the guy. Use him.
He wasn't mistreated he was eliminated by two uppercard guys. Maybe his appearance was a one off? Even if it wasn't he wasn't buried at all and can still go in to any program easily.
Ruien
01-26-2015, 10:59 AM
I also cancelled, after ordering the network 16 hours prior, because I have no desire to see Reigns and Brock go toe to toe at Mania. The rest of the card may be solid (No idea yet but even if it is) I am not going to want to watch something where I turn it off for the main event because I have no desire to watch it.
Now, WWE may change their plans and have Reigns get the belt of Brock and I will be back to maybe ordering Mania. Or something else may change, but as of right now there is no desire in paying to see Brock vs. Reigns.
IC Champion
01-26-2015, 11:10 AM
Last night was the first time I watched a WWE event in 5 years, product is almost as out of touch as it was in the mid 90's. I wonder how much Vince actually had to do with the success of the Attitude Era. I found wrestlers like Rusev to be terribly out dated, but again I dont watch so I could be wrong.
still trending.....IWC is scary when they are mad
Jordan
01-26-2015, 11:39 AM
I'm not going to cancel, I would pay 9.99 for the library they have up. However, that was without a doubt the worst Rumble match I've ever seen. And if people are unsubscribing in droves, I'm very excited to see the result on WWE's end.
Nark Order
01-26-2015, 11:41 AM
Also, they do this in Philadelphia. Any average fan that somewhat pays attention to wrestling could have told you that Reigns winning the Rumble in Philadelphia was a bad idea. I mean, has WWE not watched wrestling in the past 20 years?
And Savior, the reason I said that about Bryan winning is that this was his huge return. Why get everybody excited and then rip it away without getting somebody over as a heel?
rob11
01-26-2015, 11:45 AM
I like how the Reigns "fan girls" are mad about this.
Big Vic
01-26-2015, 11:56 AM
And Savior, the reason I said that about Bryan winning is that this was his huge return. Why get everybody excited and then rip it away without getting somebody over as a heel?
You can have Bryan in the rumble without winning easily, they should have set up a better elimination for him instead of the lackluster one they did but by no means he doesn't HAVE to win the rumble.
They want Brock to put over a young guy to carry WWE into the future, Bryan is not young. Unfortunately they picked Reigns to be that guy when he is not ready yet.
Bad News Gertner
01-26-2015, 12:21 PM
Lol the IWC are such bitchy faggots
Lol the IWC are such bitchy faggots
Com'on Gertner you know I love you man you gotta know why this is awesome and necessary
Stock has taken a hit
10.51 Down 0.01 (0.09%)
0.01 doesn't really seem like much of a "hit" at all.
Didn't say big or even significant
Theo Dious
01-26-2015, 12:35 PM
#cancelWWEnetwork = We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore.
People are sick of the feeling that they aren't getting what they're asking for. They want Bryan, Ambrose, Ziggler, Rollins and Wyatt more than Reigns. They have a voice now and they're not going to stay quiet when a not even top 5 guy is put in the top spot.
road doggy dogg
01-26-2015, 12:38 PM
Getting back on track, I suppose that is the main crux of this thread. Do you feel that is how things SHOULD be? The fans dictating who goes over?
How much power/control should the audience have with storylines/feuds/etc playing out?
(I'm merely trying to guide the discussion along, not saying one thing one way or another)
Jaded-Dragon
01-26-2015, 12:38 PM
Well, here is my take on it.... The WWE has done this to themselves. They want to talk about how they are always trending on twitter, post your comments on Facebook and Youtube, etc. etc. Ok, well, you can't expect it to always be a glowing review of your product. And they've made it very well known that their primary focus is the Network. It is their future, it is their life line, it is their business model.
In past years you could go on a message board like this, or take to Facebook, or even just tune out from the product if you didn't like where the direction was going to voice your displeasure. But really, we all knew that in the grand scheme of things it wasn't going to make any difference or have any effect on the product.
This is different, and it feels like fans actually have a means to effect change now.
Is it a good thing? Yes and no. I'm not worried about what kind of precedent it sets because quite frankly, the WWE has put themselves in this position. They have given fans the tools to directly effect their daily business, and that's on them for doing that.
It's good because maybe, just maybe, someone in CT will finally see that the fans are passionate and they WANT to support the product, but we are not going to continue to support poor booking, lousy story lines, and dull/cheesy characters. Maybe someone will actually stand up to Vince and tell him that he is wrong. Wishful thinking perhaps, but money talks and if the subscription numbers fall that hard and the stock plummets you might be looking at a foreceful departure for old Vinny Mac.
This was a monumental fuck up from a booking perspective and it proved that those in charge are either A) Completely delusional, or B) Completely out of touch. And the kicker is that they KNEW it was a bad move and they went with it anyway. If your guy can't pop a crowd at the Royal Rumble, how on Earth could you possibly rely on him to headline your WM main event?
For the record, I'm not even mad that Bryan didn't win. It's the way it was booked that bothers me. Bryan going out early, Ziggler getting eliminated in 2 minutes and then being tossed out like a sack of potatoes along with Ambrose. I mean the only other thing they could have done was have Vince himself walk out to the ring and give the middle finger to the crowd. "Oh, you wanna cheer for these guys? Well Fuck You, you will cheer for the guy I WANT you to cheer for." That's what that was last night.
But, is a dangerous precedent being set? Fuck 'em, they did it to themselves.
Ruien
01-26-2015, 12:44 PM
The stock won't take a hit yet. The renewals are still in their month long phase. It will take a hit when the memberships are not being renewed.
Rammsteinmad
01-26-2015, 12:50 PM
Most of the people bitching and saying they're gonna cancel their subscriptions probably won't.
Would be great if they did, might actually lose the WWE a shit-load of money, which will hopefully make them really look at their product and think about what they're doing wrong.
At the end of the day, I'm not a businessman. I have no idea how to run a multi-million dollar entertainment company. But I'm a fan (22 years now), and I know what I like and don't like. As a company that prides itself on "giving the fans what they want", WWE are well-and-truly out of touch with their fan base.
Rammsteinmad
01-26-2015, 12:52 PM
Just for the record, I'm not mad about Bryan's elimination, nor was I mad that he wasn't in the match last year. But fuck me if Reign's is gonna become Cena #2, and with the booking being really shitty as ever lately, even I'm struggling to follow the product any more.
Theo Dious
01-26-2015, 12:53 PM
The thing is that this is more than "we wanted Daniel Bryan to win and he didn't." Daniel Bryan is the embodiment of the fans not getting what they want. It's equal parts of Cena, Orton, Batista and Triple H being constantly featured while the Jerichos, Punks, and Zigglers have been cycled back into the midcard. Daniel Bryan is the crystallization of "not this time." WWE has been riding the social media deal hoping to take advantage of it, now they need to understand that it goes both ways.
ron the dial
01-26-2015, 12:56 PM
Getting back on track, I suppose that is the main crux of this thread. Do you feel that is how things SHOULD be? The fans dictating who goes over?
How much power/control should the audience have with storylines/feuds/etc playing out?
(I'm merely trying to guide the discussion along, not saying one thing one way or another)
control might be the wrong word, but they should definitely have more influence over the product than they do.
Rammsteinmad
01-26-2015, 01:03 PM
Definitely should have more power.
WWE pride themselves on listening to the fans etc... in 2011 "We Want Ryder" was being chanted in arenas all over America. Zack Ryder got himself to the point of being one of the most over guys in the company all by himself, without the WWE machine behind him... and what happened there?
The fact that they used the Rock the way they did they knew it would be bad and did it anyway They basically said "fuck you" to fans for two years in a row this shit storm is just fans saying fuck you back louder.
Rammsteinmad
01-26-2015, 01:05 PM
Ultimately, the fans will still tune in and WWE will keep going as it always does. :(
Rammsteinmad
01-26-2015, 01:05 PM
But I fully support this fan-backlash and hope that it goes somewhere to making something of a difference.
Simple Fan
01-26-2015, 01:07 PM
That's funny Bryan didn't win and everyone wants to cancel their network subscription.
on a funny note My older brother called (he wasn't able to see the Rumble.)
brother:how did it go?
me:Roman won the thing
brother: oh MAN are fans mad?
me:* looking at twitter cancelwwenetwork feed* yea they seem kinda upset.
Simple Fan
01-26-2015, 01:15 PM
He is just not an A+ player when will people learn.
Innovator
01-26-2015, 01:15 PM
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CancelWWENetwork?src=hash">#CancelWWENetwork</a> and subscribe to Brazzers instead BROTHER! <a href="http://t.co/mwJooqkp4d">pic.twitter.com/mwJooqkp4d</a></p>— Brazzers (@Brazzers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brazzers/status/559753410162216960">January 26, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Big Vic
01-26-2015, 01:23 PM
Definitely should have more power.
WWE pride themselves on listening to the fans etc... in 2011 "We Want Ryder" was being chanted in arenas all over America. Zack Ryder got himself to the point of being one of the most over guys in the company all by himself, without the WWE machine behind him... and what happened there?
Ryders in ring promos sucked.
Rammsteinmad
01-26-2015, 01:26 PM
Ryders in ring promos sucked.
Doesn't matter. Ryder became one of the most over people all by himself. From a business point-of-view, who wouldn't want a guy with that much passion, ambition and ingenuity working for them?
NormanSmiley
01-26-2015, 01:36 PM
as always here are the people you can blame for where things are today: #1 the fans, #2 Hulk Hogan
IWC fans do backflips for all these "vanilla midgets". If it isn't Jericho in 96, then it was chirstian in 02, or punk, or db, or ziggler or rollins. they go to the end of the earth screaming how much talent these guys have and how they want them on top of the card with the strap.
back in 88 when they finally gave someone besides that big bald fuck with 3 moves a chance at the title , Randy Savage was considered undersized. Incredible in the ring but booked as inferior to the big monsters of the day (omg, andre, etc) so fans turned and wanted Hogan back. Vince was left burned .
so anytime now a guy 217 lbs with a great moveset and workrate comes along you can damn sure bet as long as VKM is alive he will prefer the bodybuilding Adonis who has the look over the guy that the crowd claims they want. You know why because when you little faggots cry you want something and you get it, you tune out. Savage's reign didn't draw because of you, CM punk's first reign didn't draw because of you. DB didn't draw because of you. and because of that you will get Hulk Hogan, always!
blame yourselves.
road doggy dogg
01-26-2015, 01:41 PM
Great point, Gertner.
Theo Dious
01-26-2015, 01:43 PM
Doesn't matter. Ryder became one of the most over people all by himself. From a business point-of-view, who wouldn't want a guy with that much passion, ambition and ingenuity working for them?
The problem with Ryder is that he had nothing more to offer once he got himself a spot. Same with Matt Hardy after his run with Edge. Both of them burned bright but couldn't sustain it. Bryan got himself to the top and has kept himself there. His injury might end up being a huge blessing in disguise; it's proving to the company that people really do want him as their guy and didn't forget about him despite an extended absence.
Bad News Gertner
01-26-2015, 01:49 PM
Com'on Gertner you know I love you man you gotta know why this is awesome and necessary
Lol no, I don't actually
Rammsteinmad
01-26-2015, 01:52 PM
Well, we don't really know that for sure since he was given the US title (in a match where the crowd went batshit crazy when he won), lost it two weeks later and then went absolutely nowhere.
And how long were people chanting "we want Ryder" before he even got that match?
Another fine example of WWE "listening to their fans".
My point with Ryder isn't whether he's good or not, it's the idea of the WWE claiming to listen to their fans and then doing the complete opposite. Your point about Bryan being the living embodiment of the fans starting to fight back pretty much sums it up. I hope people claiming to cancel their subscriptions do, and I hope we get a second wave of the Yes movement. WWE needs to sort their product out. It's long, long overdue.
NormanSmiley
01-26-2015, 02:04 PM
^^ yea, they should have twitter contest for fans of the week, and then let the little fucktards come in and book all the events.
Rammsteinmad
01-26-2015, 02:11 PM
I dunno man. "Sold out" arenas chanting "we want Ryder" every week would seem like a pretty strong indication of what the audience wants.
Droford
01-26-2015, 02:17 PM
I dont want to miss the nxt show next month
#notcancelingwwenetwork
Hanso Amore
01-26-2015, 02:19 PM
Back to RDDs post, yes this is how it should be , fans should dictate the product.
This isnt a sit com, or a Drama. this isnt a 1 hour show on 13 weeks a year.
This is a unique entertainment medium that asks fans to
1) Watch 52 3 hour monday night shows a year. Watch 52 Thursday Night shows a year, and god knows how much other stupid shit they put on TV.
2) Buy 59.99 dollar super shows that act as the climax of the shows we put 300 hours a year into watch (so that the company can make money on the TV shows, and also the PPV money)
3) In lieu of paying 59.99 for one show, sign up for a 6 month plan with their own service to watch the pay off of the 300 hours a year they produce.
4) Buy merchandise and video games of the show and superstars.
5) Pay money to come out to live events that tour around the country.
This isnt people bitching about how lost ended. This isnt a normal show. This isnt something fans should "shut up and watch".
Can you imagine if ABC made you buy the Lost Finale for 59.99? Or had a Lost Network? And asked you to come to live Q and A sessions around t he country?
The WWE has made their own format, and they can deal with the angry fans. This is Wrestling 101. Give fans something they want to see to sell tickets.
Now we have to spend more and more to see less and less. Fans are mad that in the last year and a half there has been little to no quality shows, less pay offs to their paid PPVs, no change in direction, the same matches over and over, and the things they cheer for and want to see are disregarded.
Hulk Hogan wasnt champion for 4 years straight because Vince said so. he was because fans wanted it, and spent money, watched shows, bought PPVs and clothes. Fans ate up the product.
Same with the Rock
Same with Austin.
The WWE has been shoving shit down the throat of the fan and dictating to the fan what THEY want to see for 10 years and while its been an issue in the past, its boiling over now.
You cant have a business model that asks so much of fans time and money and expect them to eat shit and smile about it.
Heisenberg
01-26-2015, 02:22 PM
The only thing that is keeping me from torching all my WWE merch and joining the rebellion is my sons that watch it with me. They are getting the PG treatment and enjoy the stupid ass crap that is being provided.
I enjoyed the Attitude Era and if it takes everyone abandoning the current product to get it back to where it was 15-18 years ago then so be it. I just don't see that being easy
Hanso Amore
01-26-2015, 02:34 PM
Lets turn this topic a bit as well: Is it wrong for fans to be upset with a product changing like the WWE has?
Most of us grew up and fell in love with the show, and its evolved to an entirely different experience now. Why is it wrong for fans to be upset by that?
If one day any other type of entertainment went public and downgraded their rating, it would kill them
drave
01-26-2015, 02:34 PM
The only thing that is keeping me from torching all my WWE merch and joining the rebellion is my sons that watch it with me. They are getting the PG treatment and enjoy the stupid ass crap that is being provided.
I enjoyed the Attitude Era and if it takes everyone abandoning the current product to get it back to where it was 15-18 years ago then so be it. I just don't see that being easy
In the same boat there. Though he rarely watches it anymore for giving RKO's OUTTA NOWHERE to the chihuahua. Funny as hell to see because the dog is all "wtf just happened!" but I cannot encourage that behavior. He debuts in school this fall, and we need to ease him into the universe to avoid a botched push to stardom.
Hanso Amore
01-26-2015, 02:35 PM
Just dont overexpose his mic time during sharing time
Heyman
01-26-2015, 02:36 PM
The basis of this is that the fans are pissed that "their guy" did not win. Not even so much that Reigns won, and people feel he isn't ready/worthy (though that certainly plays a part in it), but mostly that "someone who isn't Daniel Bryan won".
It's not even the fact that Daniel Bryan didn't win. Him being eliminated so early on in the rumble was monumentally stupid. Even with that being said however, the fans would have firmly gotten behind someone like Ambrose, Ziggler, a returning Orton, or even a properly built up Cesaro had any of those men won the rumble, and so it's not like the fans had EVERYTHING pinned on Bryan. Reigns is simply too green right now, and the fans in the modern era are smart enough to realize this.
However, what kind of precedent does this send? Where do we go from here? Does the WWE "cave in" to the demands of the vocal minority and shoehorn Bryan into Wrestlemania like what the smark community wants? Do they address it head-on and tell them to shove off?
This might be a situation where the need to. Have a tournament of 6-8 men leading up to the February PPV where the winner gets a title match against Lesnar. Bryan wins the tournament and then defeats Lesnar at the Feburary PPV.
I think that if they give in to what the people are saying it sets a bad bad bad precedent. What happens next time? What if Bryan loses at WM? Do the WWE ram Bryan down our throats until he becomes the next Batista or Reigns, because "that's what the people want" ?
If the guy is over and deserving, then why not. Keep things simple. If a guy is way over with the fans, and has paid his dues, push him. The WWE did the same thing with Austin and Rocky during the attitude era, and with Cena in the mid 00's.
I guess the point I'm eventually trying to make is that, do the fans really know what's best for them? Are they going to revolt any time they don't get their way, like some petulant children? Are they going to threaten to financially cripple the WWE any time a decision they don't like goes down?
Yes, but I think the fans will be reasonable as well. For instance, had someone like Dolph Ziggler or Dean Ambrose won last night, I think the fans would have gotten on board for that, despite being upset over the Daniel Bryan situation.
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Vince really is out of touch. Maybe this is a wake-up call that he needs.
This is how I feel.
Vince should thank his lucky stars that there isn't any viable competition or alternatives to the WWE right now.
Emperor Smeat
01-26-2015, 02:43 PM
Reigns winning wouldn't have been an issues had the Rumble been planned a lot better. He didn't look good at all while people who could have energized the crowd after Bryan got taken out with little fanfare because of Big Show & Kane.
Right now it feels like the WWE learned nothing from last year and Vince being way too stubborn to realize Reigns isn't ready at all to carry the company right now.
drave
01-26-2015, 02:52 PM
Also, Kane & Big Show have been.... non-contenders in ANYTHING for the past whatever. Sure, Kane gets his TV time by being the lackey for the authority. Big Show gets his "I'm big and I'm gonna beat you up, flip flop my personality, DO YOU LIKE ME NOW!?" - not his fault.
The Rumble match itself was a snoozer, at least the 2nd half. Kane & Show should have been taken out to have some of the named competitors in this thread be some of the last 5-6 in the match. I don't think so many people would have shat on Reigns winning (as much at least) would that have been the course.
Bad News Gertner
01-26-2015, 02:52 PM
Gonna be hilarious when all these twats re-purchase the Network in two weeks.
Big Vic
01-26-2015, 03:01 PM
I think most will hold off until FastLane or Mania.
Damian Rey
01-26-2015, 03:51 PM
There's no reason to purchase until Mania really. Unless something extremely drastic takes place, Fast Lane will be a pretty insignificant event.
Simple Fan
01-26-2015, 05:44 PM
There's no reason to purchase until Mania really. Unless something extremely drastic takes place, Fast Lane will be a pretty insignificant event.
NXT
Nark Order
01-26-2015, 05:47 PM
The main issue is them being so comically out of touch with their audience. Why in the world would anybody have thought that was going to sit well. IN PHILIDELPHIA. It's almost impressive how completely disconnected they can be sometimes. As stated, there were options besides Bryan that the crowd would have embraced. They're obsession with big hulked up dudes has been well documented in the past but I don't think there has ever been a time where it was so blatantly transparent and dumbfounding. Everybody is finally seeing how weird, unreasonable, and somewhat homoerotic the entire attitude is. It really is odd. I mean, they are throwing away money to pursue a fetish. Nobody I've ever asked has thought a Reigns was even the most talented Shield member, much less the most talented guy on the roster.
I don't mind Reigns. I actually kind of like him. But I hate the WWE mentality. They really poisoned the water hole by blatantly lying and making him superstar of the year. As soon as the audience feels like they are being spoon fed, they turn. You absolutely cannot force a top guy. Feel like they will never learn this.
Nark Order
01-26-2015, 05:59 PM
Feel like people are underselling the Philidelphia aspect of this scenario. They just thought they were going to stroll into Philidelphia and trick the fans by having the Rock pose around with the guy. They act like they've never been there before. It's lunacy.
Gonna be hilarious when all these twats re-purchase the Network in two weeks.
Nope at least for the foreseeable future I am done I'm gonna get a whole lot of other stuff done NXT isnt enough for me to come back
and because http://watchwrestling.ch/ and torrents are a thing I don't really have to give the WWE money so I'm out
Bad News Gertner
01-26-2015, 06:14 PM
If Heath Slater gets the band back together you will.
Sorry, I mean WHEN!
If Heath Slater gets the band back together you will.
Sorry, I mean WHEN!
And only when he does will I feel like its worth 9.99
ron the dial
01-26-2015, 06:20 PM
if it weren't for nxt, i'd have no reason to pay for the network anymore. kind of sad to think that's how it is for me right now.
Corkscrewed
01-26-2015, 10:00 PM
To answer the original topic, fans should have the power, but the WWE shouldn't cave to a single instance of dissention. Philly's crowd is a smark crowd, and they reacted more extremely than average. However, it does seem a like a lot of fans aren't too happy, period. Ultimately, the actual number of cancellations will mark the reality. Internet communities of any passion always have their extreme fan bases who think they represent reality but are just as out of touch with the average fan as the head of the company they're lambasting.
If Reigns gets boo'd over the next few shows, then the WWE should probably get the hint that it's more than just smarks who aren't enjoying this. If not, then maybe continue the line and tweak to make things make sense.
Ultimately, the WWE is about Sports Entertainment. They have to cater to their fans to entertain them, but I agree that a small group of renegades shouldn't hijack booking decisions. The question is whether last night's reaction is extremist or not.
Rammsteinmad
01-27-2015, 10:40 AM
You'd think the crowd going mostly quiet during all of Reigns' matches lately would be indication enough.
Nark Order
01-27-2015, 11:11 AM
Fans shouldn't be able to dictate storylines, match endings, and gimmicks but they should be able to dictate who they want to see on their televisions the most.
Shisen Kopf
01-27-2015, 11:18 AM
They really should just turn Roman Reigns heel. Have him tell the fans to "believe this" and flip off the crowd. He's not gonna be cheered at all so just make him an asshole heel. Maybe have him show up at Lesnar's house with a gun and he could stalk Sable. Also, make him cut his hair and call him Spartacus. Good idea or great idea?
Ruien
01-27-2015, 11:22 AM
Wonderful idea.
Nark Order
01-27-2015, 11:23 AM
Feel like Cena should have won the belt and the main event should have been Cena vs Heel Reigns
Big Vic
01-27-2015, 12:00 PM
Feel like Cena should have won the belt and the main event should have been Cena vs Heel Reigns
Cena wins and Reigns wins in philly.
Simple Fan
01-27-2015, 01:58 PM
Good job guys WWE just announced they have 1 million subscribers
Innovator
01-27-2015, 02:00 PM
Adding their 2nd biggest market finally probably helped
drave
01-27-2015, 02:01 PM
Which will not account for those who have cancelled after the RR.
Nark Order
01-27-2015, 02:13 PM
As romantic of an idea as it would be, I doubt all that many cancelled.
ron the dial
01-27-2015, 02:18 PM
and a large percentage of those who did will certainly come back.
Ruien
01-27-2015, 02:35 PM
and a large percentage of those who did will certainly come back.
This is what will happen. Many people will kill their subscription until Mania time. But will the WWE risk this and go on with the show or cave in before people renew?
erickman
01-27-2015, 03:31 PM
well i ended in october, and thanks to the snow last night i got to see rr for free so i can wait till wrestlemania to get the network if i want it.
WWEŽ NETWORK HITS 1 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS
STAMFORD, Conn., January 27, 2015 – WWEŽ (NYSE: WWE) today announced that WWE (http://wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/wwe-news/) Network has surpassed 1 million subscribers just 11 months after launch, making it the fastest-growing digital subscription service. These results represent a 37 percent increase (24 percent domestically) in subscribers since last reported[1] at the end of third quarter 2014, driven primarily by a successful free November promotion, the launch of the service in the UK and significant additions for the Royal Rumble (http://wrestlinginc.com/wi/events/2015/272/wwe-royal-rumble-2015/) pay-per-view event.
"We're thrilled that we've surpassed the 1 million subscriber milestone less than a year after launching WWE Network and in advance of WrestleMania, our biggest event of the year on March 29," said WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon (http://wrestlinginc.com/wi/profiles/50/vince-mcmahon/). "We remain focused on delivering an outstanding value proposition for ours fans by adding new content and new features in the coming year."
http://wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2015/0127/588948/wwe-announces-1-million-network-subscribers/
Mr. Nerfect
01-27-2015, 04:43 PM
Not sure how the subscriber number tally works. It'll be interesting to see a break-down of whether this is a number of active subscibers today, an earlier number not factoring in cancellations, etc.
Shisen Kopf
01-27-2015, 04:48 PM
I cancelled my subscription by then resubscribed bc I want to watch Bash at the Beach 93. So good.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8SqbzdIMAAHYVi.jpg:large
Jaded-Dragon
01-27-2015, 05:24 PM
All that press release does is show you how much they are panicking. I'm sure they were saving that nugget for their final 3rd qtr financial report.
None of these cancellations will show up until next months numbers anyway.
Shisen Kopf
01-27-2015, 05:32 PM
Ok, I just cancelled again. #thatllfuckingshowthem
Lol people booed that he WASN'T in last year. How can you take him out of the match? What have him just do notinhg on the card?
He wasn't mistreated he was eliminated by two uppercard guys. Maybe his appearance was a one off? Even if it wasn't he wasn't buried at all and can still go in to any program easily.
Y'know, they didn't have to have DB in there at all and still avoided the backlash. His injury could have kept him out of the action, have him return a couple weeks from now. Especially if a) he wasn't going to win, and b) they didn't set up anything for him.
Damian Rey
01-27-2015, 07:33 PM
Great point. If they knew he wasn't going to win, they knew the crowd would shit on it. Best to not have Reigns' big moment soiled due to poor planning.
I'd venture to say if the crowd had zero reason to believe Bryan would win, they would not have taken such shit on the eventual outcome.
erickman
01-27-2015, 08:22 PM
Y'know, they didn't have to have DB in there at all and still avoided the backlash. His injury could have kept him out of the action, have him return a couple weeks from now. Especially if a) he wasn't going to win, and b) they didn't set up anything for him.
matt hardy agrees with you in his latest vid.
Corndad
01-27-2015, 09:18 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8Ztpa_CAAA031l.jpg
Shisen Kopf
01-28-2015, 05:25 AM
Ok I resubscribed to the network and was watching the 1994 rumble. Two winners?? Bret got screwed. Didn't like the ending so,I cancelled the network again.
Tazz Dan
01-28-2015, 08:35 AM
Not sure how the subscriber number tally works. It'll be interesting to see a break-down of whether this is a number of active subscibers today, an earlier number not factoring in cancellations, etc.
I hope you didn't cancel the subscription you're usingmNoid!!!! Haha. Also, I had to change the password because I forgot it. Send me a text and I'll hook you up again.
Tazz Dan
01-28-2015, 08:44 AM
Ok I resubscribed to the network and was watching the 1994 rumble. Two winners?? Bret got screwed. Didn't like the ending so,I cancelled the network again.
You need to watch '95, and then stop the road to Wrestlemania on that year. We got great feuds like Bam Bam vs LT out of that, and The Allied Powers vs The Blu Brothers.
Seriously, if the network was around back then, Vince would be fuck tenfold compared to backlash from this years rumble. People need to remember how much worse it has been at times. Reigns may not be ready, but The Great Khali is a former WHC, soooo......
drave
01-28-2015, 08:50 AM
Reigns may not be ready, but The Great Khali is a former WHC, soooo......
Which you can see on the network for....................................................................
SlickyTrickyDamon
01-28-2015, 08:55 AM
9999 pennies.
SlickyTrickyDamon
01-28-2015, 08:56 AM
In a row.
drave
01-28-2015, 08:57 AM
With tails or heads showing? That is a critical detail. Also, which minting location?
SlickyTrickyDamon
01-28-2015, 08:59 AM
Fort Knox all heads up.
Tazz Dan
01-28-2015, 09:03 AM
Currently AU$12.54
Tazz Dan
01-28-2015, 09:03 AM
May have to cancel, it's getting too expensive.
SlickyTrickyDamon
01-28-2015, 09:15 AM
Can you get access to American accounts in Australia? I can send my account if you cancel if its compatible.
Tazz Dan
01-28-2015, 09:28 AM
Yeah, I was joking, but thanks haha :y:
Tazz Dan
01-28-2015, 09:29 AM
Twelve bucks a month is still fucking great value in my eyes for all the content.
Heisenberg
01-28-2015, 09:35 AM
With the current setup of the main event shaping, it would make sense for a certain someone to interrupt and turn heel. I know the damn thing has been brought up relentlessly, but Cena coming out and costing Reigns the title and aligning with Lesnar/Heyman would be tits on the grits
drave
01-28-2015, 09:48 AM
With the current setup of the main event shaping, it would make sense for a certain someone to interrupt and turn heel. I know the damn thing has been brought up relentlessly, but Cena coming out and costing Reigns the title and aligning with Lesnar/Heyman would be tits on the grits
THAT would be the ONLY redemption for what has been a lackluster product since SS 2014.
drave
01-28-2015, 09:50 AM
Of course it won't happen, but it would be fantastic. Not even coming from a "Cena sucks" perspective, because he doesn't in all honesty. Boring to watch, sure, predictable as fook, indeed.
It would flip the entire product on end and make for some of the best ratings they have had in the past (damn near) decade.
SlickyTrickyDamon
01-28-2015, 10:13 AM
Turning Cena would just make him universally hated. The heel fans would still think he sucks.
drave
01-28-2015, 10:38 AM
But it would garner the attention they so desperately need right now. Also, there would definitely be a group of people to change their mind about their viewpoint on Cena.
Innovator
01-28-2015, 10:39 AM
It would force them to get behind someone else as a top face without relying on Cena and booking to make sure Cena always looks good.
Clerk
01-28-2015, 10:47 AM
It would force them to get behind someone else as a top face without relying on Cena and booking to make sure Cena always looks good.
This is John Cena were talking about here. The never give up never say never kid who will goto extreme measures to make everyone happy. He has a bitch with fake tits. Also did a 3 way with twins. Pretty cool guy
Rammsteinmad
01-28-2015, 11:52 AM
But it would garner the attention they so desperately need right now. Also, there would definitely be a group of people to change their mind about their viewpoint on Cena.
All the "Cena Sucks" people would start cheering for him if he finally turned heel.
NormanSmiley
01-29-2015, 12:56 AM
subs hit 1 million, stock rose, ratings went up, all after RR. yea they are really gonna start listening to fans when the fans couldn't organize a gangbang of maryse without bitching about it
It would force them to get behind someone else as a top face without relying on Cena and booking to make sure Cena always looks good.
This is an important factor; WWE is at its best when it has to react.
Without Hogan leaving we don't get Bret, if not for the Screwjob we don't get HBK, if not for the back injury we don't get Rock, if not for Brock leaving we don't get Cena, if not for Punk leaving we don't get DB, etc.
More so, if Vince doesn't have his back against the wall with WCW kicking his ass we don't get the Attitude Era. Don't think for a second that the "abrasive, adult, extreme" content was something that Vince wanted to do. His company was a wholesome family show pushing over-the-top cartoon-come-to-life characters since the 80s, and reverted to that as soon as WCW went under. That's what WWE is.
Unless the status quo is affected, WWE does not change things up.
NormanSmiley
01-30-2015, 01:27 AM
Unless the status quo is affected, WWE does not change things up.
Shisen Kopf
01-30-2015, 10:44 AM
OK I resubscribed again. But them I watched the rise and fall of wcw and didn't like how it ended so I cancelled again.
Droford
01-30-2015, 10:48 AM
Watch it backwards
Big Vic
01-30-2015, 12:36 PM
As romantic of an idea as it would be, I doubt all that many cancelled.If I had to guess I would probably guess between 40-50 thousand.
NormanSmiley
01-30-2015, 12:59 PM
if I had to guess I would say between 4-5
Ruien
01-30-2015, 03:01 PM
Well, I was one of them. Granted, I only got it for the Rumble but I am part of the #CancelWWENetworrk and am proud to say it! WOOO
Big Vic
01-30-2015, 03:38 PM
and for canceling now you can get your next month free :)
NormanSmiley
01-30-2015, 03:42 PM
You showed them who is boss. I hear they are starting pre production on your installment of rivalries for the network
SlickyTrickyDamon
01-30-2015, 03:56 PM
OK I resubscribed again. But them I watched the rise and fall of wcw and didn't like how it ended so I cancelled again.
did you tape it?
Getting back on track, I suppose that is the main crux of this thread. Do you feel that is how things SHOULD be? The fans dictating who goes over?
How much power/control should the audience have with storylines/feuds/etc playing out?
(I'm merely trying to guide the discussion along, not saying one thing one way or another)
I don't like this one bit
There's people like me out there who can't stand Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler but love guys like Reigns and Ryback, how is it fair to alienate one side of your audience just because a few mouthy smarks are butthurt their favourite Indy darling didn't win a match
Damian Rey
01-30-2015, 09:32 PM
Except that mouthy smarks aren't the only ones giving Bryan the best reactions in the company, nor are the they majority who have made him arguably the company's most over talent.
vBulletin® v3.8.7, Copyright ©2000-2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.