WWE Should Thank the Internet!

[The MAC]

Competition is what makes someone step up their game- possibly to levels they never thought they would reach.

What does a rival do ? Either offer a competitive product that comsumers would choose- or throws down challenges and expose flaws and shatter perceptions of the competitors product.

wCw was the former :
WWE pushed boundaries and reached audiences they never knew existed thanks to the rivalry that wCw perpetuated. Instead of sitting on their asses they had to haul ass and out do wCw which in turn gave the fans something more - a better product. Since wCw folded Vince and his boys have the run of the industry - they dont have to push any boundaries or take any risks because they are the only game in town.


The Internet is the latter:

With wCw gone- the only true rival to WWE is the internet - us! It is a challenge to the WWE to create new and vibrant storylines to entertain the Smart internet user as well as the marks. This is a win for both parties because WWE has a better and more appealing product and ALL wrestling fans now have better entertainment.

The internet is the voice for smart fans to challenge the WWE. If it weren't for all this there would still be garbage men and clowns running around WWE.
Vince, as much as you hate the internet for spoilers etc- you have to love it because it has made you sharpen you game! wCw was a small organisatrion compared to the the internet.

WE PAID - ENTERTAIN US!

[Chavo Classic]

Nah. Smarks are not competition for the WWE. The WWE doesn't care about us. The smarks are a minority of its audience and most of the time we can't even decide between ourselves what we want. Yeh, there are some very intelligent people on the internet (and this forum) who could do a great job in the creative department (Alienoid, Kane Knight etc) but no-one beyond this URL gives a crap what we think.

The WWE didn't listen to the Internet when it conceived the Matt Hardy angle - it manipulated it. We can't pretend that we inspired the angle because we were all played for fools when Hardy came back (and is now apparently dating Amy Dumbass again, or so the speculation goes - were they even apart?)

What the WWE needs is real, mainstream competition. Thats why I'm so excited about TNA. Not so much because I like watching TNA, but because its going to put pressure on Vince to improve his product. There's going to be a lot of marks and naive fans (who've never had seen or even heard of TNA and will be curious) watching when Impact debuts on Spike - and TNA are going to put on one-hell-of-a-show with X-division matches, cruiserweights bouts and hard hitting heavyweights to make sure those marks keep tuned. The WWE are going to need to get their stuff together or else they face losing a large chunk of the mainstream audience.

[Kane Knight]

One of the first rules of smark booking is:

100% of smarks think they should be booking. About 1% should.

That being said, if the internet is sharpening the product, how horrible must the regular product be? Seriously. I'm still satisfied with the product, but not like "I have to tune in tonight!"

If we're helping the product all of us (you me and the WWE makes three) are FUCKED.

[Djscorpion]

i think the fact that WWE has not had competition in a few years has hurt the product. I always believed that WWE should have kept wCw has a separate show but of course still owned by McMahon. What i would have done is kept the WWE have their shows on Monday(Raw) and Thursday(Smackdown!) and then would have had wCw do shows on Tuesday(Nitro) and Friday (Thunder).

Instead of having two separate rosters for WWE i would have had one GM to control both RAW and SmackDown! and then another GM for Nitro and Thunder. From time to time i would have wrestlers switch shows for a while (WWE-WCW) or make one night appearances at the other show. PPVS would be separate (WWE PPVS and WCW ppvs) and maybe everyonce in a while have one huge PPV where its both WWE and WCW). Also i think the WWE product has gotten worse because there really hasnt been any good stables such as the ones we had in the late 90s (DC,NWO,NWO WOLFPAC, COPORATE MINISTRY)

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LET ME KNOW WHAT U THOUGHT OF WHAT I JUST STATED ABOVE!

[Kane Knight]

One word: Oversaturation.

[Jaton]

Yeah. They've already got one roster too many.

[Djscorpion]

ok so how about RAW=WWE SUPERSTARS and Smackdown! = wCw Superstars

[Mr. Nerfect]

Nah. Smarks are not competition for the WWE. The WWE doesn't care about us. The smarks are a minority of its audience and most of the time we can't even decide between ourselves what we want. Yeh, there are some very intelligent people on the internet (and this forum) who could do a great job in the creative department (Alienoid, Kane Knight etc) but no-one beyond this URL gives a crap what we think.

The WWE didn't listen to the Internet when it conceived the Matt Hardy angle - it manipulated it. We can't pretend that we inspired the angle because we were all played for fools when Hardy came back (and is now apparently dating Amy Dumbass again, or so the speculation goes - were they even apart?)

What the WWE needs is real, mainstream competition. Thats why I'm so excited about TNA. Not so much because I like watching TNA, but because its going to put pressure on Vince to improve his product. There's going to be a lot of marks and naive fans (who've never had seen or even heard of TNA and will be curious) watching when Impact debuts on Spike - and TNA are going to put on one-hell-of-a-show with X-division matches, cruiserweights bouts and hard hitting heavyweights to make sure those marks keep tuned. The WWE are going to need to get their stuff together or else they face losing a large chunk of the mainstream audience.

I love you. :love:

[Mr. Nerfect]

One of the first rules of smark booking is:

100% of smarks think they should be booking. About 1% should.

That being said, if the internet is sharpening the product, how horrible must the regular product be? Seriously. I'm still satisfied with the product, but not like "I have to tune in tonight!"

If we're helping the product all of us (you me and the WWE makes three) are FUCKED.

That's true.

What the WWE is lacking (in my opinion, anyway) is compulsion. I am not compelled to watch RAW or SmackDown!, I simply make the choice to. The WWE can postpone their shows all theyw ant these days, and nothing will be missed. In the WWE's prime days, you COULDN'T miss a wrestling show, if you did, there was a chance you could burn in Hell.

I personally think the WWE needs to start using their talent, and making the most of their screen-time. The WWE is their own worst enemy right now, if and they don't buckle down, networks won't care about their shows. The move to Fridays for SmackDown! is evidence of that. If the WWE hadn't of "relaxed" they would probably be airing SmackDown! on Thursdays with a stronger fanbase.

Hopefully TNA becomes a viable competitor, and manages to dent the already scratched armour of the WWE (who scratched their armour themselves).

[Kane Knight]

Yeah. I watch the WWE primarily out of habit. I'm not sure I'd give a fuck if I were a new viewer. And if it were postponed, I doubt I'd care much. Except this week, because it's got a lot of potential. But normally, I'd be all..."meh."

[Savio]

The WWE didn't listen to the Internet when it conceived the Matt Hardy angle - it manipulated it. We can't pretend that we inspired the angle because we were all played for fools when Hardy came back (and is now apparently dating Amy Dumbass again, or so the speculation goes - were they even apart?) I believe they did. The Internet also helpped meanie get a few matches in the WWE.

[Kane Knight]

The WWE didn't listen to the Internet when it conceived the Matt Hardy angle - it manipulated it. We can't pretend that we inspired the angle because we were all played for fools when Hardy came back (and is now apparently dating Amy Dumbass again, or so the speculation goes - were they even apart?)

So...You're willing to take the following leaps of logic then?

1) The WWE, who lack faith in the internet, who believe the smarks to be a minority, would cause a large enough reaction to merit it?

2) That the smarks, again a minority, would successfully turn Lita heel?

3) That being on good terms with Amy makes this fake (people make up with their exes after brutal breakups)?

4) That Dumas and Hardy having dinner together means they ARE together?

5) That the WWE would plot this one angle long enough to plant the seeds, even though they can't seem to book a consistent angle any other time in the WWE?

That's a leap of faith I think Jesus would balk.

[ThruTheWire]

ok so how about RAW=WWE SUPERSTARS and Smackdown! = wCw Superstars

WCW's dead for a reason junior. Ressurections are not the answer.

[Hired Hitman]

"The smarks are a minority of its audience"

Everybody says that, but everywhere I look there are "smart" people.

[Corkscrewed]

Everything in the first post.

Yup. I agree. You see, if it weren't for Nazi Championship Wrestling and TNA attracting millions of viewers and getting crazy ratings, the WWE wouldn't want to improve. But thanks to NCW, the WWE's all "Oh shit, those shows are way better than ours, we gotta try harder."

[Dave Youell]

I dissagree that the smarks make up the minority, i'm seeing more and more smark audiences now, obviously there's Canada and Philly that are the most well known, but take a look at the recent Matt Hardy thing, the 'we want Matt' chants were started by the smarks because they knew of the situation behind the scenes, of course there the Bret thing as well, but I think every man and his dog knows about that one by now

[Impact!]

I asked my dog, he sorta just looked at me like I was an idiot.

[The MAC]

I've always wished they would do something with the wCw trademark they own. Some guy above mentioned RAW = WWE - smack down =wCW.

my "wish angle" : Eric Bischoff somehow ends up being smackdown GM. He goes on air after 2 smackdown episodes fall apart ( i.e run ins, wrestlers fucking up referees) and cuts a promo saying this in not how wrestling should be run. The machmohans have bought up everything and have turned it into a soap opera with a side helping of violence.

He then says : Vince I've taken your sh!t for a nuber of years now..and like everyone else I've been your bitch..but this is it..Vince. Welcome back to the war.." Eric then opens up a suitcase and pulls a spray can and sprays the letters wCw on the canvas.

we see that sky hook camera angle of the ring - then we cut to Eric : wCw is back. This is now wCw Nitro- (beep) smackdown...!"

aah but it would never happen...sigh..

[Pepsi Man]

The smarks aren't competition, nor are they the reason we no longer see Duke Droese or Doink the Clown.

Internet fans were even less of the wrestling audience back in 1997 and 1998 when the Attitude era started. I really don't think the WWE sees entertaining the "smarks" as a "challenge", and I know I wouldn't.

If I were the WWE, honestly, I'd look at the smarks and realize that they're the people that make the old saying true. You can't please all of the people all of the time. Are they perfect? No. Is one "smark" or another going to find a flaw with damn near anything any wrestler, promoter, or janitor that sweeps the floor before an event starts? Yes. So that's how I'd see it.

[Kane Knight]

"The smarks are a minority of its audience"

Everybody says that, but everywhere I look there are "smart" people.

Howabout we worry about the WWE's perception of them, which has been all around negative?

[Kane Knight]

The smarks aren't competition, nor are they the reason we no longer see Duke Droese or Doink the Clown.

Internet fans were even less of the wrestling audience back in 1997 and 1998 when the Attitude era started. I really don't think the WWE sees entertaining the "smarks" as a "challenge", and I know I wouldn't.

If I were the WWE, honestly, I'd look at the smarks and realize that they're the people that make the old saying true. You can't please all of the people all of the time. Are they perfect? No. Is one "smark" or another going to find a flaw with damn near anything any wrestler, promoter, or janitor that sweeps the floor before an event starts? Yes. So that's how I'd see it.
Considering all the retarded fuckers on here who whine about how shitty the product is, and CAN'T STOP WATCHING IT, yes. We, the "smarks" give the WWE no reason to change the programming.

[Chavo Classic]

4) That Dumas and Hardy having dinner together means they ARE together?


I dont know what to believe anymore. When I the interview Hardy gave in British wrestling magazine PowerSlam (the only grappling magazine Lance Storm admits to reading) I really believed that he was screwed over. I really believed from what I read (and he did say words very similiar to these) that he didn't want to know Lita and that seeing Edge on tv made him want to vomit. Further more, he said he couldn't believe what the WWE had done to him and it'd take a lot for him to go back.

Two months later - he's back in the WWE jobbing to a former jobber, working a program with Edge and having dinner with Amy Dumbass. The Hardy situation have increased cynicism of the WWE and its motives to new highs.

[Chavo Classic]

I dissagree that the smarks make up the minority, i'm seeing more and more smark audiences now, obviously there's Canada and Philly that are the most well known, but take a look at the recent Matt Hardy thing, the 'we want Matt' chants were started by the smarks because they knew of the situation behind the scenes, of course there the Bret thing as well, but I think every man and his dog knows about that one by now

The proportion of marks to smarks will always favour the former. That's the reason why Benoit gets a lukewarm reception every week and Cena's pop raises the roof every week. I know its a bit of a generalisation to say that every smark likes Benoit, but its a good indication of who the majority of the WWE audience is.

Like I said in another thread, I think I was the only guy cheering Carlito when the WWE came over the atlantic. Why? Because there were far too many marks in that place

[Chavo Classic]

"The smarks are a minority of its audience"

Everybody says that, but everywhere I look there are "smart" people.

Where do you look? Its only natural that as a smark you do smark things and go to smark places on the internet, so of course you're going to find more and more smarks. I bet if you went back to being a mark, doing mark things and going to mark places you'd see more marks. Its about who you surround youself with.

[The MAC]

I dunno- i still think that its the internet fans who are the only ones really challenging the WWE. I mean if it werent for the net a lot of people in a lot of countries woudnt have known that Bret HArt was screwed.

I know its sounds hard to believe but in countries like south africa and others wwe is the only wrestling. The internet has opened up a facet to wrestling like never before. Stars are "accessible" - bullshit that happens is made public quicker. If Vince wants his business to surivive long time he has to move witht he trend - for there is no use in stanidng against a revolution. Vince knows this hence: Taboo Tuesday - the "is it a work or a shoot" Hardy/Edge angle.

The shawn michaels/ edge angle was directly attributed to the internet.

GO SMARKS!

oh by the way: That whole matt hardy angle was treated that way to Dick witht he internet fans -and it worked. Vince showed that he can still make you interested. I mean, if it wasnt for this reason then it woulda been some stalker shit a la DDP/Taker/Sarah.

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Shoots get me excited!

[Kane Knight]

The proportion of marks to smarks will always favour the former. [....]I think I was the only guy cheering Carlito when the WWE came over the atlantic. Why? Because there were far too many marks in that place

The first part of this is true only if you ignore the increasing internet presence in EVERYTHING.

The second is true assuming the only people who boo carlito are marks. As I said in that thread, I cheer the faces and boo the heels, with few exceptions. OThers agreed.

[Kane Knight]

I dunno- i still think that its the internet fans who are the only ones really challenging the WWE.

We're not really challenging them. We're customers, who seem to watch even when we hate the product. That's not a challenge.

Convincing pop culture that Chris Masters is worth a title run...THAT'S a challenge.

[Kane Knight]

oh by the way: That whole matt hardy angle was treated that way to Dick witht he internet fans -and it worked. Vince showed that he can still make you interested.

Bullshit. But if it was true, why not actually DO it instead of doing it once to "dick" us?

Oh wait, because he's killing his own business to show us up?

[Chavo Classic]

The first part of this is true only if you ignore the increasing internet presence in EVERYTHING.

The second is true assuming the only people who boo carlito are marks. As I said in that thread, I cheer the faces and boo the heels, with few exceptions. OThers agreed.


Even with the internet presence increasing, doesnt mean that every wrestling fan with access instantly becomes a smark. I was a smark before I came to TPWW. And we all know that there are many, many marks who come and join our family here every month (or at least try to).

And yeh, you're right. A smark doesn't cheer the heels and boo the faces all the time. But Carlito is an exception talent (I love his promos, his attitude, his gimmick) and its usually smarks who recognise talent and cheer. There are too many exceptions in this field to really make any case at all to be honest though... I was just giving an example to show there are many MANY more marks in the average crowd

[Kane Knight]

Even with the internet presence increasing, doesnt mean that every wrestling fan with access instantly becomes a smark. I was a smark before I came to TPWW. And we all know that there are many, many marks who come and join our family here every month (or at least try to).

Yeah, and usually get wisened up or leave. The problem is that the number of smarks will RADICALLY increase, largely thanks to the WWE creating such an interest in the 90s before flip flopping. The Marks however are dwindling because of ratings, and the people who are sticking around are the hardcore fanbase...And hardcore marks aren't exactly common when wrestling isn't "cool."

[Chavo Classic]

Spot on! The smarks are the constant fan-base for the WWE. Marks come and go. Still, the proportion of smark to mark is still in favour of the idiot.

I do worry about the state of our forum sometimes. Too many idiots are signing up. I suppose the one way to be educated is to talk to other smarks, but just don't let them talk to me because I've no patience for the stoopid people.

[Kane Knight]

Spot on! The smarks are the constant fan-base for the WWE. Marks come and go. Still, the proportion of smark to mark is still in favour of the idiot.

I do worry about the state of our forum sometimes. Too many idiots are signing up. I suppose the one way to be educated is to talk to other smarks, but just don't let them talk to me because I've no patience for the stoopid people.

Well, the idiot isn't a mark only domain. We have tons of really dumb smarks.

I don't mind people learning, it's just the people who are anal in their intent to not learn, and anal in the intent to make a name for themselves by outsmarting the smarks. I don't mind inexperienced, naive, or whatever people...Just the terminally stupid and incessantly illogical.

And I don't have to worry about finding them. They always try and "punk" me.

[Chavo Classic]

You know these kids look up to you though, right?

[Kane Knight]

That's why I tell 'em to drink plenty of school, stay in drugs, and take your prayers.

[Chavo Classic]

and that's why they end in Juvenile Prison. I wonder who's violating Iwantviral right now

[UmbrellaCorporation]

That's why I tell 'em to drink plenty of school, stay in drugs, and take your prayers.


I didn't take my prayers this morning. Does that make me a bad person? :'(

[Chavo Classic]

yes

[Hired Hitman]

Where do you look? Its only natural that as a smark you do smark things and go to smark places on the internet, so of course you're going to find more and more smarks. I bet if you went back to being a mark, doing mark things and going to mark places you'd see more marks. Its about who you surround youself with.
Thanks for that, you really think I'm that dumb?

Looking at a crowd at a WWE event, they hold up "Smark" related signs, they chant "smark" related chants and all that.

[Chavo Classic]

Thanks for that, you really think I'm that dumb?

Looking at a crowd at a WWE event, they hold up "Smark" related signs, they chant "smark" related chants and all that.

I can only work with what you give me.

Regarding the smark chants; how many of the people chanting 'We Want Matt' do you think actually understand the rationale for the chant and exactly what had happened to Mr Hardy?