New WWE policy

[BigDaddyCool]

Don't think this has been posted yet.

New Policy Implemented For WWE Referees
By Ryan Gray on June 5, 2007 at 10:49 AM EST

Source - Wrestling Observer Newsletter

WWE has implemented a new policy for their referees. As of last month, referees will no longer be informed of the outcome of the match ahead of time at house shows. All of the outcomes are scheduled before the intermissions at the show without them knowing.

This new policy adds a new degree of realism as the wrestlers must listen closely to the referee’s instructions (such as breaking a hold before five) or kicking out of pin attempts before the three count. Now since the wrestlers know that the referees are unaware of the finish they must work in a more convincing fashion. One backstage source was quoted as saying, “It keeps everyone on their toes.”

That seems very interesting. But will the refs know about bumps they are suppose to take?

[Xero]

This could explain the Women's title switch a few weeks ago.

[Theo Dious]

This could explain the Women's title switch a few weeks ago.

Seriously.

Quick, let's pay off a ref to count the title off Cena!

[Xero]

*Cena hits the FU on Khali, ref counts 3*

Cena: WHAT THE FUCK MAN!? The finish was the STFU!

Ref: ...Well, I just assumed...

[Arnold HamNegger]

New Policy Implemented For WWE Referees
By Ryan Gray on June 5, 2007 at 10:49 AM EST

Source - Wrestling Observer Newsletter

WWE has implemented a new policy for their referees. As of last month, referees will no longer be informed of the outcome of the match ahead of time at house shows. All of the outcomes are scheduled before the intermissions at the show without them knowing.

This new policy adds a new degree of realism as the wrestlers must listen closely to the referee’s instructions (such as breaking a hold before five) or kicking out of pin attempts before the three count. Now since the wrestlers know that the referees are unaware of the finish they must work in a more convincing fashion. One backstage source was quoted as saying, “It keeps everyone on their toes.”


Stephanie McMahon & HHH later denied this report on WWE.com stating, "It's real...IT'S ALL DAMN REAL!"

:shifty:

[thedamndest]

Don't most of the matches on a house show tour end in roughly the same manner?

[BigDaddyCool]

Don't most of the matches on a house show tour end in roughly the same manner?

Naw, they use the house shows to try out different endings and get guys use to wrestling each other.

[BigDaddyCool]

This could explain the Women's title switch a few weeks ago.

What happened?

[Xero]

Mickie vs. Melina vs. Victoria at a house show. Mickie pinned Melina and she apparently forgot to kick out, so the title switched. They had a rematch later in the night with Melina going over.

They count it as an official change, but it was a fuck up.

[BigDaddyCool]

Mickie vs. Melina vs. Victoria at a house show. Mickie pinned Melina and she apparently forgot to kick out, so the title switched. They had a rematch later in the night with Melina going over.

They count it as an official change, but it was a fuck up.

Really? Why did they count it? House shows never count unless they want them too.

[Xero]

I suppose because it would have been huge news all over the internet they really had no choice than to count it.

[Mooияakeя™]

Don't most of the matches on a house show tour end in roughly the same manner?

Yeah, Cena wins.

[BigDaddyCool]

Since when do they care about the internet. Plus it was in Europe, since when do they care about house shows in Europe?

Given wrestling and WWE's track history, none of this makes sence.

[Theo Dious]

Thing is, the entire European tours are under a lot of scrutiny, and even the house shows get mad publicity over there.

As for "since when do they care about the net," they don't want us peons thinking we know something other people don't.

[Xero]

They care. If they didn't they wouldn't be posting spoilers or even release information on their site. No point in posting it if no one else is going to.

[IC Champion]

Its something new, and it doesnt hurt to try, I hated when Hebner would be the officail in a big match, cause his 3 count was so predictable.

[Theo Dious]

Its something new, and it doesnt hurt to try, I hated when Hebner would be the officail in a big match, cause his 3 count was so predictable.

I'm so glad that was never pointed out to me until after he was gone.

[IC Champion]

I'm so glad that was never pointed out to me until after he was gone.
Lol, you dont need to be an asshole about it.

[Theo Dious]

Lol, you dont need to be an asshole about it.

No really, I'm serious. I never picked up on that, and it would have sunk my enjoyment even more. Ignorance= ...well not bliss, in this case, but less disgust.

[Kane Knight]

I suppose because it would have been huge news all over the internet they really had no choice than to count it.

Doesn't that imply that they don't want to annoy us?

[Theo Dious]

Doesn't that imply that they don't want to annoy us?

No, it means they don't want us to feel cooler than them. This kind of thing all comes back to ego.

[IC Champion]

No really, I'm serious. I never picked up on that, and it would have sunk my enjoyment even more. Ignorance= ...well not bliss, in this case, but less disgust.
Oh, well Your lucky, I knew like 5 years ago, him and his 3 count to add extra drame, pffft ruined some matches for me.

[Stickman]

Bad idea, those close calls won't happen as when they are planned to happen the ref brings his arm down slowly on the 3. Now either every pin attempt will have the ref moving slowly on the 3 or the ref counting three when he probably shouldn't.

[IC Champion]

How hard could it be to kick out once you've heard 2, and aren't the referees almost always in the position that the wrestler being counted can see the ref's arm as hes countin?

[gatoconbotas]

I think it's a good idea...at least they'll start to pay attention to refs, making them more htan useless bumps.

[Stickman]

How hard could it be to kick out once you've heard 2, and aren't the referees almost always in the position that the wrestler being counted can see the ref's arm as hes countin?

Ever wonder why a belt changes hands at a house show only to be switched back the next day with little mention of it?

[IC Champion]

Ever wonder why a belt changes hands at a house show only to be switched back the next day with little mention of it?
I dunno, why?

[BigDaddyCool]

Ever wonder why a belt changes hands at a house show only to be switched back the next day with little mention of it?

Because WCW loved doing that shit?

[IC Champion]

Because WCW loved doing that shit?
LOL, speaking of Refs and WCW, has any other promotion in history used the "ref bump" more then them? I mean it was every week, with out failure.

[BigDaddyCool]

LOL, speaking of Refs and WCW, has any other promotion in history used the "ref bump" more then them? I mean it was every week, with out failure.

wCw managed to set many records, including but not limited to the biggest turn around in popularity and business both ways, number of championship changes in a single day and single week, and dumbest babyfaces.

[Blue Demon]

here's a few more details:

According to a report by The Pro Wrestling Torch, WWE began implenting a new practice in mid-May of not informing referees ahead of time the finishes for the matches they were involved with. This was first reported a few weeks ago by various wrestling websites, but more details have become available about the situation.

Based on what is known, all matches before intermission at WWE House Shows will indefinitely take place without the referee knowing the finish. It's being looked at as an experiment and exercise within the company in front of generally smaller crowds. Some sources within WWE have suggested that this idea was influenced by wrestling newsletters such as The Torch suggesting that more realism could be brought back to wrestling by doing this given the huge popularity of MMA, mainly UFC recently.

The idea suggested was that if WWE referees didn't know the finish of matches ahead of time, wrestlers would be forced to pay full attention to telling a realistic story in the ring which would allow the referee to simply follow the rules and have that lead to the intended finish. The overall concept is that if the referee buys into the finish, then the fans no doubt will. Some within in the company have suggested that by doing this, "smart marks" would get the word and then be in the know that referees are no longer in on the finish adding lots of intrigue back into the product.

In addition to this adding intrigue for wrestling fans, it also forces WWE wrestlers to actually kick out of pin attempts before a three count, follow all the instructions by the referee (breaking before a five count) and making sure submissions are clear. The idea is that if a wrestler knows a referee isn't in on the finish then they have to tell a story in a convincing fashion and not get nonchalant about false finishes or the upcoming finish. This new practice seems to be a good idea as it has added some excitement to the undercard. During the first two weekends of trying it out, there were no incidents of a finish taking place that wasn't planned. Says one WWE source, "It keeps everyone on their toes. There has been nothing bad said about it by anyone so far."

source: http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1181168691.shtml

[BigDaddyCool]

I like the idea personally.

See Kane Knight, I'm not bitching.

[Kane Knight]

You already bitched this week.

Anyway, I like the idea in theory, but it's mostly low level matches, right? I mean, pre-intermission generally isn't the big, "important" matches, is it?

Forgive me, it's been years since WWE was worth going to a house show.

[Theo Dious]

I've seen IC matches take place before intermission.

Though with this in place, probably not anymore.

[Kane Knight]

I dunno. It's pretty clear they don't care about the IC title.

Hell, this might actually make Cruiser Title matches worth watching.

[Arnold HamNegger]

Says one WWE source, "It keeps everyone on their toes. There has been nothing bad said about it by anyone so far."

This policy has officially been...

http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/pictures/snitsky2.jpg

SNITSKY APPROVED!

[Pepsi Man]

Aren't most WWE matches these days completely laid out though? (or at least before this new policy, weren't they?) If so, I don't blame the wrestlers as the ones who have been producing less than "realistic" stories behind matches.