WWE plan to crush TNA

[Dave Youell]

--From TroughOfMantaur at the DVDR board via this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter,

--Johnny Ace has been given word from the top to sign anybody TNA is interested in, even if it is guys the E just recently cut. Some office workers have been told the idea is to sign them with lengthy no-compete clauses, then bury them so that by the time they can go to TNA, they are damaged goods. Dave says management see this as a possible pivotal year for TNA, and doesn't particularly want them to become legit competition.

[Y3J]

Basically, do exactly as they are doing now

[The Icon of Elisim]

Gonna be legit pissed if this is the plan for Haas

[Nark Order]

Wow, the WWE are bastards.

[alvarado52]

well, i think wrestling and the internet are very tied together, so if i were a wrestler, or at least a modern era wrestler with some talent, i'd check wrestling sites daily to see what the rumors are, run into this one, and be well aware of the WWE's plot and tell 'em to fuck themselves when they came to me with a deal. So if anybody signs with the WWE after reading that, they are doing it for the sole purpose of the money, not to better their career and name. At least, thats my opinion.

[94 SVT Cobra]

The best way to crush TNA is to just ignore it, i mean i dont see WWE stressing everynight on its show "ONLY on TNA will you get this action"....it has a six sided ring.....and TWO divisions....sounds to me like there just trying to hard still

[CharismaInjection]

It better not be Haas!!!!

WWE are real bastards.

[Y3J]

It better not be Haas!!!!

WWE are real bastards.

[alvarado52]

The best way to crush TNA is to just ignore it, i mean i dont see WWE stressing everynight on its show "ONLY on TNA will you get this action"....it has a six sided ring.....and TWO divisions....sounds to me like there just trying to hard still

Actually, i think TNA really has taken a step back with the gimmicks. They used to hype up the X-Division and the 6 sided ring, but now its hardly known other than the announcers saying 'X-Division action coming up next!'. I doubt the WWE is stressing over TNA, but they definitly have a watchful eye on them. If the WWE wanted to crush TNA, the best thing would be to BOOK SHOWS AND TALENT RIGHT. But, they are basically shooting themselves in the foot with how they are now. If the WWE were still on its A game like years back, nobody would be able to touch them, and they'd only lose a fanbase of 20 sick little fucks who like to watch mass mutilation and turn to CZW instead.

[94 SVT Cobra]

Actually, i think TNA really has taken a step back with the gimmicks. They used to hype up the X-Division and the 6 sided ring, but now its hardly known other than the announcers saying 'X-Division action coming up next!'. I doubt the WWE is stressing over TNA, but they definitly have a watchful eye on them. If the WWE wanted to crush TNA, the best thing would be to BOOK SHOWS AND TALENT RIGHT. But, they are basically shooting themselves in the foot with how they are now. If the WWE were still on its A game like years back, nobody would be able to touch them, and they'd only lose a fanbase of 20 sick little fucks who like to watch mass mutilation and turn to CZW instead.

I have to agree with you there, its just i feel no matter how much they dont talk about it, they still rely on it. but what would i know, i like the warrior.

[LivingDead]

If Vince's product is so great then why would he fear competition?

[McLegend]

It better not be Haas!!!!

WWE are real bastards.
It wasn't. It was Jamie Noble

[Xero]

If Vince's product is so great then why would he fear competition?
Because it isn't and he's starting to realize that.

[Kane Knight]

If Vince's product is so great then why would he fear competition?

Vince knows there's a problem, he just doesn't understand what's wrong.

[Xero]

Vince: What are you talking about? My product is the most entertaining shit on TV!

[Corkscrewed]

If I'm one of those buried guys, I'd try to take it as getting paid for doing nothing... assuming they're actually paying me.

Either that, or if I know about this, I say screw the WWE and sign with TNA anyway. After all, the WWE can't force "free agents" to sign with them.

[Pepsi Man]

well, i think wrestling and the internet are very tied together, so if i were a wrestler, or at least a modern era wrestler with some talent, i'd check wrestling sites daily to see what the rumors are, run into this one, and be well aware of the WWE's plot and tell 'em to fuck themselves when they came to me with a deal. So if anybody signs with the WWE after reading that, they are doing it for the sole purpose of the money, not to better their career and name. At least, thats my opinion.
Yes, because they should believe every internet rumor they read instead.

[Fox]

If I'm one of those buried guys, I'd try to take it as getting paid for doing nothing... assuming they're actually paying me.

Either that, or if I know about this, I say screw the WWE and sign with TNA anyway. After all, the WWE can't force "free agents" to sign with them.

Yes, but you'd also have to be on the road 300 days a year doing something you absolutely hate.

Hopefully some of the free agents out there realize what WWE is doing, and will make the decision not to sign into one of their damn no-compete clause contracts. They already have Haas, London and Kendrick - maybe Benoit and Heyman soon too.

[Anybody Thrilla]

If this is true, it's simply good business strategy. I don't see a problem with it. The WWE makes the big bucks for a reason.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yes, because they should believe every internet rumor they read instead.

Well if they then get a contract with a length no-complete cause, they can at least infer something is up now.

I really don't see the point in burying talent. If they sign with the WWE, then they are WWE Superstars, not TNA wrestlers. I swear, if they sign Bryan Danielson and make him job to Hardcore Holly, I will be pissed off at the WWE. I honestly believe that if you're spending money on guys, it should be used to make them look great, not bad.

Jamie Noble has been actually doing alright in the WWE. He's getting the "Kazarian push", where he wins all the time, but in matches most people don't know about.

[Kane Knight]

If this is true, it's simply good business strategy. I don't see a problem with it. The WWE makes the big bucks for a reason.

they need to fire people to keep from taking losses, and now they're hiring up free agents.

This isn't why they make the "big bucks." In fact, they're hard pressed to really be called successful. how a company this large can flounder so bad is beyond me.

[Kane Knight]

I really don't see the point in burying talent.

I do.

It goes like this: I don't want them, but I don't want you to have them either.

Vince doesn't want to bow to the fans, but if someone else provides an alternative, he'd have to.

IMO, this is stupid, since TNA's not close to a viable competition.

[wwefan4life]

wwe should first fire guys like funaki mexicools orlando jordan murdock
cade helms rosey val venus steverichards and let em move 2 tna
ppl will stop watching it and tna is history
else vince should buy tna

[LivingDead]

wwe should first fire guys like funaki mexicools orlando jordan murdock
cade helms rosey val venus steverichards and let em move 2 tna
ppl will stop watching it and tna is history
else vince should buy tna

How about instead of firing amazing talent, use them properly?

What makes you assume that TNA will take them all? And if TNA use them the way they should be used then how is that a bad thing?

Yeah Vince buying TNA will be great for wrestling. Competition sucks.

[Savio]

Jamie Noble has been actually doing alright in the WWE. He's getting the "Kazarian push", where he wins all the time, but in matches most people don't know about.So...............he'll get released?

[CharismaInjection]

wwe should first fire guys like funaki mexicools orlando jordan murdock
cade helms rosey val venus steverichards and let em move 2 tna
ppl will stop watching it and tna is history
else vince should buy tna

I can't belive you just suggested releasing the mexicools, from now on, I'm not taking any of your opinions seriously. You obviously don't know talent.

[Y3J]

I know, Mexicool's are awesome.

SU-PER-CRA-ZY *clap-clap-clapclapclap*

[PullMyFinger]

TNA should pretend to be interested in CZW guys like Mondo so WWE could quickly sign them. LOL

Actually, this is a smart move but it's fucked up and dick. However, wrestlers aren't morons either...word spreads to them first than it does on the internet imo with backstage talk amongst wrestlers.

[Destor]

Thats smart business. Suck for the audience though.

[Kane Knight]

You know what'd be good business? Putting on a show people wanted to watch.

[Destor]

Yes it would be good. It doesn't mean this isn't a smart strategy as well. Not for his products sake, but for the sake of TNA's failure.

[Blitz]

Y'know, this rumour could have been started by TNA to discourage guys from signing with WWE.

[PullMyFinger]

Y'know, this rumour could have been started by TNA to discourage guys from signing with WWE.
lmao, if it was, then TNA is smarter than I thought they were.

[Shadow]

It is smart business but it's dumb too. Can't say I fault the WWE for doing this but I really can't condone this practice. It'll come back to haunt them one of these days.

[PullMyFinger]

Whats your conspiracy theory on this, Shadow?

[Shadow]

What's theory? There is no theory on this...simply more and more proof that Vince is desperate to get new veiwers for his product.

[Destor]

What's theory? There is no theory on this...simply more and more proof that Vince is desperate to get new veiwers for his product.
See thats funny, I keep getting more and evidence that Vince doesn't want anyone watching any form of wrestling. His included.

[Kane Knight]

Yes it would be good. It doesn't mean this isn't a smart strategy as well. Not for his products sake, but for the sake of TNA's failure.

Oh, it's a smart strategy to destroy the competition, but they've got much bigger things to worry about.

[Corkscrewed]

C'mon guys. In the WWE, "Good Business" means "Anger the Fans" (and thus get a reaction which will be interpreted as interest).

[Kane Knight]

It is smart business but it's dumb too. Can't say I fault the WWE for doing this but I really can't condone this practice. It'll come back to haunt them one of these days.

I thought Vince owned TNA.

[Kane Knight]

C'mon guys. In the WWE, "Good Business" means "Anger the Fans" (and thus get a reaction which will be interpreted as interest).

They got me to stop watching Raw. It's proof that Edge is a top heel. :D

[Shadow]

He does...but it'll still come back to haunt them.

[The Naitch]

I love it

[Kane Knight]

He does...but it'll still come back to haunt them.

:lol:

[redoneja]

I love lamp

[St. Jimmy]

not Gonna be suprized that this is the plan for Haas

:shifty:

[Anybody Thrilla]

You know what'd be good business? Putting on a show people wanted to watch.

People ARE watching.

[LivingDead]

People ARE watching.
Back in 1999/2000 nearly everyone I knew watched WWE. No I know about 3 people that watch it.

[Anybody Thrilla]

It doesn't matter who you know. Raw is still the number one rated cable television program. SOMEBODY is watching.

[Kane Knight]

People ARE watching.

And yet the numbers are nothing compared to what they used to be. They're unable to sell out arenas of the same size anymore. THEY'RE FUCKING DOING SHOWS IN VERMONT! A state with a population of about 500!

Not enough people are watching, clearly.

[Kane Knight]

It doesn't matter who you know. Raw is still the number one rated cable television program. SOMEBODY is watching.

#1 cable program is like being the #1 white basketball player.

[Y3J]

Wrestling used to be fun when I was younger. I remember going to school on the monday and all we could talk about was Raw and SD!. We used to immitate the catchphrases and everything.

*Sigh* Those were the days.

Me: How do you spell "because"?

Friend: B-E-C-..

Me: It doesn't matter!! WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[Anybody Thrilla]

Right. Well there are probably kids who are young now who do the same things.

[Anybody Thrilla]

#1 cable program is like being the #1 white basketball player.

But if you are in fact a cable program (or a white basketball player), should that not be your goal?

[Kane Knight]

But if you are in fact a cable program (or a white basketball player), should that not be your goal?

Your goal should be to draw the same obscene numbers you have in the past, rather than hemmorage money, so much that you can no longer keep your TV deals, sustain PPV buyrates, or put asses in the seats.

If you're the best white basketball player, you should strive to be known as better than just the best WHITE player.

[TerranRich]

Who was it that said Vince didn't consider TNA a threat? Allow me to tell you all: I told you so. :)

[Anybody Thrilla]

But they are the best WRESTLING promotion. There's very little dispute there. They may have trouble keeping TV deals and sustaining buyrates, but how many organizations even HAVE TV and PPV deals? And I know their ratings and buyrates put TNA's to shame.

One would also have to take into account the fact that the business just isn't booming like it was in previous years.

[Kane Knight]

Who was it that said Vince didn't consider TNA a threat? Allow me to tell you all: I told you so. :)

Just because you like to squash bugs doesn't mean you feel threatened by them.

[The One]

Who was it that said Vince didn't consider TNA a threat? Allow me to tell you all: I told you so. :)

I said it, and I still mean. Vince can have forsight to see that TNA in theory could become a threat, but TNA is not a threat, Vince is not scared of TNA, and he is simply taking cautious steps towards making sure it stays like that.

[Kane Knight]

But they are the best WRESTLING promotion. There's very little dispute there. They may have trouble keeping TV deals and sustaining buyrates, but how many organizations even HAVE TV and PPV deals? And I know their ratings and buyrates put TNA's to shame.

One would also have to take into account the fact that the business just isn't booming like it was in previous years.

They are the best wrestling promotion, and yet still...Hemorraging money.

Business isn't booming because the product isn't that good, and that's the problem.

Throwing good money after bad is not good business.
BArgaining on poor footing is not good business.
Spending money to screw a Mickey Mouse promotion at the expense of your own product's funding is not good business.

This is not good business, and if the only argument you can come up with is "They're the best wrestling promotion" or "Their ratings are still higher than other cable shows," You have no argument. That doesn't dismiss poor business practices, it just shows how little you grasp what good business is.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Well, I think it's obvious that they don't consider TNA a "Mickey Mouse" promotion. They see that there is some sort of potential there. They are the only other North American promotion with a national TV deal and a PPV deal. Why would you just want to give them talent? They're protecting themselves. It may be cutthroat, but they will still remain on top.

If anybody should be angry about this, it should be the wrestlers who get re-signed just so they won't go to TNA, but what we have to remember is that they all do it for money. It's their livelihood. And sure, it means more than that to some people, but as someone mentioned earlier, if it REALLY bothers them that much, they can just tell the WWE to stick it.

[LivingDead]

It's not all about money to every wrestler.

[Kane Knight]

Well, I think it's obvious that they don't consider TNA a "Mickey Mouse" promotion.

Pointless speculation and wild guesswork.

Sorry, you can't make this argument work with that.

[Anybody Thrilla]

How is it pointless speculation? If they didn't at least view them as SOMEWHAT of a threat, why would they even bother?

[Y3J]

IMO, TNA is a poor (financially) version of WCW

[Kane Knight]

How is it pointless speculation? If they didn't at least view them as SOMEWHAT of a threat, why would they even bother?

You're assuming a good business decision, first of all.

That's a poor assumption, once again founded in "Well they've got a lot of money, so they must be doing the right thing!" assertion.

And then, of course, there is the monopoly principle. Just because it's not threatening doesn't mean it's not in their best interest to squash it.

But you're working on a two-tiered assumption that provides multiple explanations...All because you seem to be taking leaps of faith to justify the WWE's prowess.

[Y3J]

My Spidy senses tell me a "You've been KKK'd" post is around the corner

[Kane Knight]

My Irony-sense is tingling!

Just for you. ;)

[Anybody Thrilla]

You're assuming a good business decision, first of all.

That's a poor assumption, once again founded in "Well they've got a lot of money, so they must be doing the right thing!" assertion.

And then, of course, there is the monopoly principle. Just because it's not threatening doesn't mean it's not in their best interest to squash it.

But you're working on a two-tiered assumption that provides multiple explanations...All because you seem to be taking leaps of faith to justify the WWE's prowess.

I did it.....for The Rock.

[Y3J]

I did it.....for The Rock.

:lol: That was so random

[Savio]

ABT lost?

[Anybody Thrilla]

I wouldn't say it was a loss as much as it was a recognition that Kane Knight refuses to even concede an inkling of a point. Why bother?

[Dave Youell]

It's the networks goal to improve the ratrings.

Not Vince's, well not anymore as the ratings don't make a shit bit of difference to his pocket anymore

[Londoner]

So this is why they signed Haas then, oh well to bad.It's a stupid business decision if you ask me, and it shows that they are accepting that they are not creative enough to come up with storylines that are interesting and are unable follow them through to the end.WWE will not last much longer at this rate,the only reason why WWE still has this many PPV's/tv shows is because of their success in the past.

[McLegend]

So this is why they signed Haas then, oh well to bad.It's a stupid business decision if you ask me, and it shows that they are accepting that they are not creative enough to come up with storylines that are interesting and are unable follow them through to the end.WWE will not last much longer at this rate,the only reason why WWE still has this many PPV's/tv shows is because of their success in the past.
Apparently TNA had no interest in Hass what so ever. This is more about Jamie Nobel

[Kane Knight]

I wouldn't say it was a loss as much as it was a recognition that Kane Knight refuses to even concede an inkling of a point. Why bother?

You're making an argument that isn't to the point of the matter.

They're still doing well, that doesn't prove that they're making good business decisions. I've even conceded your points, it's just that they're irrelevent. But oh wah. This is another Kane Knight Konspiracy. Boo hoo~ He won't ever admit he's wrong.

Being the best out of two TV promotions only proves that you're doing better than the other guy. It doesn't prove you're good. Being the highest rated show on one station, or on cable doesn't prove that you're doing good business.

The WWE's a monopoly; they've got a lot of money and so there's a long way to fall.

but please, don't complain that I won't concede anything (When I already have) if you cannot argue your point that this is a smart business strategy. You're wandering off on tangents trying to prove something which relies on an inherrent falsehood.

[Anybody Thrilla]

All I was saying originally is that an attempt to hold on to your talent, whether you plan on using them or not, is a good business strategy. The "big bucks" thing wasn't supposed to be related to this directly, but rather a notion that they have been doing something or other right over an extended period of time.

As far as the WWE being a monopoly, I'm not sure I quite agree with that either. They may be the only prominent wrestling company, but they definitely are not the only prominent entertainment company.