You're Given Billions to Compete with the WWE...GO!

[Swiss Ultimate]

What do you do?

So this doesn't turn into some economic projection there are no hard numbers involved, just know you don't have enough to buy out the WWE.

Here's what I'd do.

Before hiring any talent I would go about buying all the content from defunct companies not already owned by the WWE. I'd also buy the vast majority of highlight videos from indie wrestlers.

Next I'd purchase 5 small venues. One in Canada, Mexico, California, Georgia, and Missouri. I'd keep the current staffs on hands to run them as usual.

Then I'd purchase 3-4 wrestling schools. Triple their funding and start developing unknown talent.

Next I would purchase: CZW, ROH, Dragon Gate, NOAH, and their complete libraries. I'd allow them each to continue running as usual for the next year. Then, I'd open up an online streaming service and market the hell out of it.

Next I'd try to get million dollar contracts with as many 90s big names as possible for on-air personalities and creative. I'd personally want Steve Austin, Raven, Nash, Bret Hart, and Taz involved, but not as active wrestlers. At this point I'd start the World Series of Wrestling across all my companies, and pay all the indie promoters to co-sponsor events. All of this would be compiled together as a free 2 hour online show leading up to a giant event at a large stadium. I'd be losing tons and tons of cash for this and giving away tickets just to pack it. The show is just an excuse to launch the conpany after setting the foundation.

The event itself would lose tons of money, but be an advertisement for the streaming service, and introduction for the new company. Weekly episodes would follow spending 60 days in each of the five venues.

Company would be 90% new talent and 10% WWE and TNA rejects getting rotated in and out to put over the young guys. 6 online PPVs a year. Each show would be free with commercials or commercial free for subscribers. I wouldn't dismantle the smaller companies, but I'd use them like NXT.

After getting established I'd focus on poaching WWE talent where applicable. However, I'd avoid being a TNA clone by not putting the title on any of them after pulling them in. The strategy would be to push "homegrown", but give them the kind of freedom wrestlers had in the 90s. Plus I'd beat the WWE in pay, merchandise, and benefits.

Long term goals would be Netflix/Hulu deal with 9 episode seasons, and large stadium PPVs, and video-game franchise. Also maybe killing the McMahon family. With assassins.

[RP]

I'd call CM Punk first. Pay him what he wants. Then i would give 1 time 500 to 700k contracts to HBK, Austin, Rock. I would sign about 4 other guys from the indies for a lot cheaper. Guys like Del Rio, Eli drake maybe. Kennedy. I would also sign Rey Mysterio to a Punk like contract.

Then i would invest a shit load of money in promoting my first PPV. While also working on a TV contract. The first PPV would be a World Title tournament featuring all those mentioned above. The big contract guys would be required to promo leading up to the PPV and also be ready and willing to put over if needed. All while leading up to CM Punk being my first Champion. Most likely facing Rey in the Finals.

[RP]

Also i would have Neville lined up. And i would poach a ton of females from WWE because WWE cant give them the exposure i would give them. Lana, Becky Lynch. Yep. They would be in my organization.

[Swiss Ultimate]

I wouldn't allow women to wrestle at all.

[Destor]

I would start a training center and i would bring in diva hopefulls on the cheap. I would then let them know i have like a billionish dollars.

Id fuck all the rats i could stand then file chapter 11 after I spent the money on coke

[Swiss Ultimate]

I would start a training center and i would bring in diva hopefulls on the cheap. I would then let them know i have like a billionish dollars.

Id fuck all the rats i could stand then file chapter 11 after I spent the money on coke

Flawless.

[Blonde Moment]

I would start a training center and i would bring in diva hopefulls on the cheap. I would then let them know i have like a billionish dollars.

Id fuck all the rats i could stand then file chapter 11 after I spent the money on coke

That may have been done before

[Destor]

That may have been done before

Dont fuck with the classics

[Ruien]

A billion? God damn.

Buy WWE.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Vince won't sell.

[Ruien]

Hire someone to kill Vince and then buy. If need be HHH goes too.

[Jordan]

I'd buy Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks, Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, Neville, Ricochet,
Alberto, Misterio, Mundo... all the top free guys of course. I'd try to buy Goldberg for my first big sell PPV, he'd have to lose in the main event of a one night mega tournament screwjob style by Punk (who already beat Bryan Danielson) and the guest ref Steve Austin. The second show would be highlighted by Danielson vs Punk again, for the title, and an angle further building the biggest dream match of the century, Austin vs Goldberg. Austin plays the character just like 97, doesn't give a fuck about shit, cheer me if you want marks, boo me see if it bothers. Goldberg is the champ killin babyface and I let the two of them decide the finish.

I'd run my shows opposite WWE PPV's in building half the size with tickets the same price or more, and sell the fuck out of my merchandise. I'd run the ECW Arena for TV tapings, tape a month in one night.

Omega/Danielson/Punk work the title scene until I build up guys who can fit in with them or take their spots.

I'd only do 5 PPV's a year, and they would be sold exclusively online and all the money would go to me because fuck sharing with some cable company.

[Jordan]

At the end of the year Austin realized CM Punk is a bitch a turns face and gets his one up over him and retires on top.

[Swiss Ultimate]

I don't see a lot of these plans actually competing with the WWE. A few big names that are either near-retirement or practically retired isn't what you base a company on.

Plus you have to think that not all of those guys can even be bought at this point. The Rock does what The Rock wants to do for instance. Hogan is like that too. Super rich guys can turn down ridiculous sums of money.

I'd bet Austin would take a million dollars a year just to call matches.

[Swiss Ultimate]

I want to know how Noid, Gertner, and Cynick would do it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'd beg, beg, beg The Rock to get onside with me.

[Swiss Ultimate]

I'd beg, beg, beg The Rock to get onside with me.

Would it be worth it? I wouldn't hire any part-timers.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The Rock is the only star in wrestling. Maybe Brock Lesnar and Bryan Danielson when their contracts are up. I don't really know who I build around first. I feel any idea I suggest is going to get laughed at, because most of the great talent is in WWE.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Philosophically, I make wins and losses matter. I know that much. I've always wanted to run a wrestling promotion that publishes its win-loss records. There's a part of me that thinks "that's dumb, you're making things harder for yourself," so I'd probably just have announcers keep track and promote what is going well and hide what is not, but yeah, it would have much more of a sports-based presentation than any North American company.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Philosophically, I make wins and losses matter. I know that much. I've always wanted to run a wrestling promotion that publishes its win-loss records. There's a part of me that thinks "that's dumb, you're making things harder for yourself," so I'd probably just have announcers keep track and promote what is going well and hide what is not, but yeah, it would have much more of a sports-based presentation than any North American company.

I like that.

[Shisen Kopf]

I would spend half of the money to advertise. Then another half to sign legit legends like Bobcore and Janetty and buy a nice camera. Then all the money would be gone and the event will be held at the local VFW and will air on public access TV

[Swiss Ultimate]

Works for me.

[Sixx]

Billions? I'd buy them out, shut that shit down and make Triple H my bitch.

[Ruien]

Billions? I'd buy them out, shut that shit down and make Triple H my bitch.

Vince won't sell so you need to hire someone to kill him first. :yes:

[Evil Vito]

Hire Toni Storm, Emma, Brandi Rhodes, Stacy Keibler, Torrie Wilson, Velvet Sky, and pretty much any other hot female free agent from the wrestling world. Also try to see if I can poach Alexa Bliss, Lana, Becky Lynch, and Nikki Bella while I'm at it.

Spend a few years living out a modern version of an elaborate harem fantasy I've had since I was a teenager.

Oh wait, I have to use the billions to compete with WWE? Oops.

[Mr. Nerfect]

One guy I would probably try and hire/poach (not sure of his status) is Jim Ross. The guy still has a fantastic mind for the business, could teach me more things than I have dollars, and knows how to get on the ground level and look for fresh talent. Plus, I would use him as the play-by-play guy for my PPV shows. I think he also lends an instant air of credibility to whatever it is you are doing wrestling-wise.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Hire Toni Storm, Emma, Brandi Rhodes, Stacy Keibler, Torrie Wilson, Velvet Sky, and pretty much any other hot female free agent from the wrestling world. Also try to see if I can poach Alexa Bliss, Lana, Becky Lynch, and Nikki Bella while I'm at it.

Spend a few years living out a modern version of an elaborate harem fantasy I've had since I was a teenager.

Oh wait, I have to use the billions to compete with WWE? Oops.

You don't consider that competing?

[Evil Vito]

I wasn't really planning on broadcasting my exploits, kinda just figured I'd keep the goods all to myself. :naughty:

[Evil Vito]

In any event I do think buying out whatever tape libraries I could and then letting them continue to operate would be the best possible start. Well I'd probably shut CZW down because fuck that shit, but the rest staying alive would be good by me. Their profits would be my profits.

Also gives me a fairly ridiculous talent pipeline.

My first show would probably be a dream card type thing with the top talent from basically every promotion other than WWE. Maybe even do a series of "dream cards" spanning multiple continents, like a jacked up version of WrestleMania 2. Except it's technologically a whole lot more feasible to do now than it was in 1986.

[Destor]

The biggest problem with competing is there isnt talent. There are no stars in the business as a whole. You would to take a solid 2-5 years scouting and having poeple trained by top class workers, Pulling athletes from lower prospect sports like AAA baseball and canadian football.


the hurdle isnt making a product its finding guys who can truely break through.


You'd need money to attract those kindsof talents and you'd need a lot of them. A billion might not cut it long term. The fed draws bacause of the brand right now more than anything else...without it....there guys...all of them would be either over seas or unknown.

[Swiss Ultimate]

I truly believe half the problem with the WWE is not giving creative freedom to the guys. The scripted shit sounds bad and feels fake. Miz and Punk both became big guys because of their mic work.

Get rid of the script writers and go back to improv.

[Simple Fan]

Well assuming Vince is the only one that won't sale, I'd buy WWN and combine all the promotions into Evolve. Then I'd buy Impact and their tape library and the Global Wrestling Network. Next I buy into the NWA and become business partners with Billy Corgan.

Next I build a training center called NWA 101 that will also have a small studio to do tapings at because NWA 101 will also be a developmental promotion. Set up a farm sytem with NWA 101 acting as (A), Evolve(AA), and Impact (AAA). Each will have weekly shows that air on NWA TV which used to be the Global Wrestling Network. Impact will have 2 PPVs a year and only tour USA, Canada, and Mexico in a 4 sided ring. Evolve will mainly tour the south east while NWA 101 will be in LA and only do occasional live shows in southern California.

Top talent from Evolve and Impact will move to the NWA roster. NWA will tour world wide and have a weekly show on NWA TV as well a TV deal preferably Spike, with a PPV every month also on NWA TV. Titles will be NWA World Heavyweight, Tag Team, Women's and Junior Heavyweight. The NWA North American Championship will be used in Impact and the NWA National Championship will be used in Evolve.

Try to sign a talent agreement with NJPW, CMLL, and possibly ROH. Be TV14 and give the talent more freedom and maybe even set up some type of NWA talent union. Focus more on wrestling and telling stories in the ring with more of a sports presentation than WWE. Sign as many high caliber free agents as possible, not going to mention any names as you never know who will become available but we'll make a play at them. Now, when did I run out of money and did I even scratch trying to compete with WWE?

[Mr. Nerfect]

The biggest problem with competing is there isnt talent. There are no stars in the business as a whole. You would to take a solid 2-5 years scouting and having poeple trained by top class workers, Pulling athletes from lower prospect sports like AAA baseball and canadian football.


the hurdle isnt making a product its finding guys who can truely break through.


You'd need money to attract those kindsof talents and you'd need a lot of them. A billion might not cut it long term. The fed draws bacause of the brand right now more than anything else...without it....there guys...all of them would be either over seas or unknown.

I agree with this, except for maybe the bit about "a lot of them." In 1998, the WWF didn't have a lot of stars -- it had one. Granted, you are not going to find another Stone Cold Steve Austin. That being said, if you do find someone that breaks through, they are going to shine brighter compared to almost anybody else in the industry.

[Destor]

Austin had some big acts to work with. He was only on topnfor 3-4 years but even in that time he went through a big number of acts. Hart, hbm, mcmahon, Foley, taker, rock, H, angle thats a lot of top acts for not even half a decade.

[Fignuts]

Destor's ringrats and coke plan is the only sound idea thus far.

[Destor]

I really knocked it out the park though in everyones defense

[Sixx]

Vince won't sell so you need to hire someone to kill him first. :yes:

No biggie. I've read the standard wage for a hit is only 10k.

[Heyman]

What do you do?

So this doesn't turn into some economic projection there are no hard numbers involved, just know you don't have enough to buy out the WWE.

Here's what I'd do.

Before hiring any talent I would go about buying all the content from defunct companies not already owned by the WWE. I'd also buy the vast majority of highlight videos from indie wrestlers.

Next I'd purchase 5 small venues. One in Canada, Mexico, California, Georgia, and Missouri. I'd keep the current staffs on hands to run them as usual.

Then I'd purchase 3-4 wrestling schools. Triple their funding and start developing unknown talent.

Next I would purchase: CZW, ROH, Dragon Gate, NOAH, and their complete libraries. I'd allow them each to continue running as usual for the next year. Then, I'd open up an online streaming service and market the hell out of it.

Next I'd try to get million dollar contracts with as many 90s big names as possible for on-air personalities and creative. I'd personally want Steve Austin, Raven, Nash, Bret Hart, and Taz involved, but not as active wrestlers. At this point I'd start the World Series of Wrestling across all my companies, and pay all the indie promoters to co-sponsor events. All of this would be compiled together as a free 2 hour online show leading up to a giant event at a large stadium. I'd be losing tons and tons of cash for this and giving away tickets just to pack it. The show is just an excuse to launch the conpany after setting the foundation.

The event itself would lose tons of money, but be an advertisement for the streaming service, and introduction for the new company. Weekly episodes would follow spending 60 days in each of the five venues.

Company would be 90% new talent and 10% WWE and TNA rejects getting rotated in and out to put over the young guys. 6 online PPVs a year. Each show would be free with commercials or commercial free for subscribers. I wouldn't dismantle the smaller companies, but I'd use them like NXT.

After getting established I'd focus on poaching WWE talent where applicable. However, I'd avoid being a TNA clone by not putting the title on any of them after pulling them in. The strategy would be to push "homegrown", but give them the kind of freedom wrestlers had in the 90s. Plus I'd beat the WWE in pay, merchandise, and benefits.

Long term goals would be Netflix/Hulu deal with 9 episode seasons, and large stadium PPVs, and video-game franchise. Also maybe killing the McMahon family. With assassins.

This is a fantastic post. :y::y::y:

I'd respond to this and add ideas, but I completely agree with this.

Only thing I'd add is Rectal Pertruder's idea of adding CM Punk.

[Swiss Ultimate]

He might be worth it, but he's older and enjoying life now. I really think he'd turn down millions.

[Destor]

He might be worth it, but he's older and enjoying life now. I really think he'd turn down millions.
He's going to need the money soon enough

[Evil Vito]

Years before he was even finished with WWE it was speculated that he'd saved up his money throughout his career, and that was before he'd had his proper main event run. He doesn't spend lavishly.

It wouldn't surprised me if he could live comfortably for the rest of his life.

[Destor]

his net worth is 8mil. Thats not much given is age. Would have to spend 40k a year or less.

[Destor]

Hope he doesnt have any medical expenses later in life, or any major home repairs.

[Destor]

Not to mention the law suit, not only is it causing him to lose money to lawyers if he loses the counter suit he could be left with half that possible less.

[Destor]

He will need a pay day before he goes belly up.

[Destor]

And none of this factors in inflation

[Destor]

40k in 2040 money...lol

[Destor]

his net worth is 8mil. Thats not much given is age. Would have to spend 40k a year or less.
Thoughts got rumbled, he would be looking at 40k in the event he loses the law suit...the law suit is the only hope he has for not needing money later in life. Its an all in gamble.

[Evil Vito]

Did you just type in "CM Punk net worth" into Google and try to pass it off as a reliable source of information?

[Destor]

Did you just type in "CM Punk net worth" into Google and try to pass it off as a reliable source of information?
no what does google say it is?

[Destor]

He negotiated his contract publicly if you remeber. 1.7 mil with a 3.5% on merch

[Destor]

The math is easy to do after that

[Swiss Ultimate]

I assume he invested.

[Destor]

lol

[Evil Vito]

no what does google say it is?

It does have him at $8.5 million, but the problem is you don't know what other assets, investments, or liabilities might have that aren't in the public domain.

[Evil Vito]

Double post

[Swiss Ultimate]

How much did he get for his UFC fight?

[Destor]

$1 mil

[Swiss Ultimate]

Not bad for an amateur.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Punk will be back doing something.

[James Steele]

Corgan/Punk seem like a natural relationship.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It could work. Punk/New Japan also seems like a glove.

[Ruien]

I imagine Punks 401k makes more in a year than any of us do with our job.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Ooh, I'm not sure about that. I imagine it's better than the average salary, but I think people are overestimating how much the dude is worth.

[Swiss Ultimate]

He's not starving by any stretch...well, except he's not getting enough protein or animal fats.

[Mr. Nerfect]

There's a difference between "not starving" and never needing to work a day again in your life.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Also, praxis is good for the soul. Punk will want to keep himself busy or he'll likely go insane.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Agreed. Most definitely agreed. I'm just saying I know I could live the rest of my life comfortably with less than 3 million dollars.

#simplelife

[Outsider]

I wouldn't try and compete. That would just be a good way to spend money chasing a goal which ultimately other than prestige and bragging rights wouldn't actually do anything.

I'd try and keep a solid financial base, worrying much more about profit and turnover than ratings.

Starting point before even spending any money would be TV networks. I'd focus on pitching an idea before actually spending money on sets and contracts, although will need to sign a few 'bigger' names up to 'in-principle' style contracts. Possibly look at the UK market as there is potential to get ITV involved which would be a big score. Pitch would be at a 14+ product aimed towards an older audience than the WWE to find a slight niche in market.

Money would be invested significantly in production values to make for a high quality product as I think this is one of the biggest differences between WWE and other organisations. Ticket prices would be kept low to maximise attendance and atmosphere, with the aim of recouping money on merchandise. Aim would be to be live on UK TV. Bi-monthly 'PPV' type events would be free to air, but with a higher ticket price.

Would include an 'off season' to lower wrestler injury rates and allow them to raise their own profiles overseas (on a limited basis).

Would not be adverse to an arrangement which sees international distribution on WWE Network (not the UK though), though this would be subject to any other TV deals.

[Swiss Ultimate]

WCW wanted to destroy WWE and steal their audience. Right now the WWE owns the lion's share of every aspect of the market.

[Maluco]

I think Destor is on to something with Punk's money. He is accustomed to living a particular lifestyle by now. He is not going to go back to being an average Joe after having millions in the bank. It doesn't work like that.

Given what life can throw at you, he would need to have multi millions in the back to have any sort of guarantee. His only real use is as a performer too.

Let's be honest, the UFC thing has one more loss before time is called on that. He is no use as a media guy for them because he doesn't know the sport well enough.

If he wants millions, he needs to wrestle again

[Evil Vito]

Punk has also been doing writing for Marvel Comics.

[Destor]

Inflation and Taxes. If he can cover both of those via misc income for the next 50 years (and not lose his ass in this lawsuit) he could budget his money and be ok.

[Destor]

Oh and unexpected medical exspenses and home/auto repairs.

[Destor]

For his age and the current rate and projected future rate of inflation he needs more than what he's earned up until now to live and not work.

[Maluco]

Punk has also been doing writing for Marvel Comics.

Yeah, I had read that, but can't imagine it's anything more than a guest celebrity thing. Letting a fan fulfil a dream. Obviously anything can happen but can't imagine that becoming a career.

Saying that, I can't see the likes of Billy Corgan having the means to pay someone like Punk.

I will say this, if he doesn't ever go back to WWEz I admire him for having principals in the face of losing potential millions. That's hard not to respect

[Evil Vito]

I recently watched Punk's farewell match in ROH. He's clearly overcome with emotion and visibly crying on the way to the ring. It made me sad to realize that his passion for the industry was completely ripped away.

Having said that if he ever did get the itch to wrestle again, or needed to at least make some money, I really think he'd happily take a lot less to go back to ROH or Japan or wherever. I see no reason to think he'll go to WWE again.

[Destor]

he was a miserable bastard in RoH too

[Stickman]

If I was given a billion dollars Id look for a real sports team to buy.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Ted Turner isn't interested, Stickman.

[Sixx]

How much would I have to pay for an above average NFL team?

[Swiss Ultimate]

Good question.

[Swiss Ultimate]

About a billion.

[Mr. Nerfect]

CM Punk, Bryan Danielson and Brock Lesnar would be my three starting points, if I could land them. I'd also try to get Bobby Lashley. I think Lesnar/Lashley and Punk/Danielson would make for a good one-two punch on PPV.

Rey Mysterio is also a free agent, isn't he? I'd let him work with Ricochet, since apparently he's a big fan. I try to get Jim Ross to do the announcing whenever he can. I probably try my best to pry John Morrison from TNA too. I don't think it would be too hard.

[Swiss Ultimate]

I wouldn't want to have too many well-known "stars" except to put over new guys. If watching Lucha Underground has taught me anything, it's that name recognition only goes so far. I gave a shit about the majority of that roster and had no clue who they fucking were.

I for sure wouldn't hire any part-time guys like Brock Lesnar. There are a lot of guys out there that could be my "Brock Lesnar".

I would recruit guys out of College wrestling pretty heavily for my wrestling schools, actually pay them a good deal of money and allow them to compete in MMA since a lot of these guys are planning on heading to UFC over WWE these days.

Here's some guys I would fast-track to success:

Robby Smith
https://www.teamusa.org/-/media/TeamUSA/Wrestling/Smith_Robby/smith_robby_090815_800x375.jpg?la=en&hash=C96CF01ACCE424C803A780147DB0BBAC34B78FF6

Dom Bradley
http://cdn3.sportngin.com/attachments/photo/5675/2027/dom_mw_pic2_medium.jpg

Toby Erickson
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_QPsoNG5fPg" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Tyrell Fortune and Anthony Nelson
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ap5leud5qyY" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

John Krahn (7 foot, 400+ lbs)
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/09/25/20/2CC4205900000578-3249242-image-a-1_1443208665763.jpg

[Mr. Nerfect]

Not just anybody can be Brock Lesnar. He's once in a lifetime.

[Swiss Ultimate]

So is John Krahn.