<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/y2bmbuFBOx">pic.twitter.com/y2bmbuFBOx</a></p>&mdash; RUSEV MACHKA (@DayOfRusev) <a href="https://twitter.com/DayOfRusev/status/1085181908160528384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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They're already on streaming services and they happen to own one as well.

The most shocking and impactful debut since Brock Lesnar!!!!!!!

I meant as a primary mode of getting their programming out, Simple. And the WWE Network housing Raw and SmackDown more than halves their audience, and with a whole bunch of OTT services about to come out, the WWE Network's numbers are going to be interesting to track. Last I was reading it's seemed like it's very much plateaued, and that's with them being quiet about the number of paid subscribers they have.

Disney will be a major one, but WarnerMedia have one coming out too. WWE were in fairly early, but I don't know how they will thrive in a market that is about to get more crowded as priorities are drawn.

In terms of sports and sports entertainment related ones, WWE Network is currently #2 overall. Going by some stuff recently mentioned by the WWE, seems there is a big gap between them and UFC (#3) when it comes to sports-based streaming services.

MLB still reigns supreme for sports streaming and doubt anyone is going to get close to them anytime soon.

That's right now. As more sports head towards streaming services, that could very well change. I don't have the stats on the UFC app, but they still run PPVs. I imagine that if they took PPVs in-house they'd drive their business up considerably. And we don't know how many people pay for the WWE Network. They don't reveal that information, which you imagine they would if it were something to brag about. Right now they need television.

After having a million surprise entrants last year, I'm kinda intrigued to see how they pad out the Women's Rumble this time around.

There are currently 15 women announced. I figure Charlotte, Nia, Tamina, Lana, and Dana Brooke will be in and bring it up to 20...and they'll probably include Nikki Cross and Lacey Evans as well now that they're "called up" to get to 22.

Still, that leaves nearly a third of the match opened. Last year they included the Mae Young Classic winner and the NXT Women's Champion, so if that sets a precedent, it would bode well for Toni Storm and Shayna Baszler/Bianca Belair.

Nothing against the Trishes or Litas but it'd be cool to get a few unexpected cameos.

Could see them split the remaining 8 into 4 from NXT & NXT UK and the other 4 from past eras.

Only problem with the past era reps is you know your going to get some combo of Michelle McCool, Brie Bella, and Nikki Bella so that could leave as little as just 1 surprise spot left if its an even split.

Michelle McCool and Nikki Bella are likely to be two. I see Brie sitting this out for some reason. Rhea Ripley will be in, I believe. Io Shirai would be a fun addition. I can see Kairi Sane sitting it out for variety reasons. I see Kacy Catanzaro doing her scale into the ring for this as a random appearance. Three spots left...how about Killer Kelly, Deonna Purrazzo and Taynara Conti. I can see them wanting to have a bunch of "foreign" talent in. Jazzy Gabert would be fun, but they haven't used her on TV in an active role yet.

Ok, now I get it.

They should get Kong. Just a one night only thing.

I get the sentiment, but I'd rather see all the Kongs end up in AEW.

Yeah and people think AEW will be competition? They all high as fuck.

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I don’t think anyone expects AEW to be competition, simply an alternative.

Why do you care so much?

This looks 100% a composite picture. But it actually happened.

Also love that report regarding Strowman “cooling off”, yeah, because you turned him heel for a month.

I say you're looking at this from the wrong angle.

It isn't so much that they're going to appear from nowhere and unseat the WWE machine to become king dick of wrestling mountain, it is that this is hopefully the pendulum swinging the other way and becoming the momentum tilting away from them just being complacent; as WWE not being percieved as "the only game in town", yet not having to go clear to Japan.

They can't just sign folks simply to keep them from other places because they have the most to offer. They have gotten so used to being the be-all, end-all for a career that they aren't used to guys having the option to not only say "nah, I'm good", but actually following up on that.

There was a post somewhere about "not having a robust roster" and "not thinking Finn Balor was over enough"... and that is part of the same hole they dug for themselves. They make the guy look like an asshole, and then wonder why he isn't an instant rockstar. There are a bunch of guys on both RAW and Smackdown that aren't doing a damn thing, and some of the ones that are, aren't doing anything worth mentioning. If some of the ones - plural - who are unhappy can pack their bags and ply their trade elsewhere without it coming with a substantial drop in pay, it will hopefully light that fire back at Titan Towers to step some quality back up.

WWE is still the big dog, but when you're surrounded by a bunch of smaller puppies who are starting to grow teeth, you need to take a little more care about where you step.

Does everyone think WWE is about to fold like WCW and AEW is going to just swoop in that vaccum and be that brand? Of course not. That's foolish. But They've clearly got the money and the plan and possibly even the following to be another brand with some success. The fact that they've treated TNA/iMPACT like a non-entity, but now are kinda shook about AEW being a thing is really all that is neccessary for things to flow in the correct direction.

You realize if AEW is good and popular that it could make WWE better too?

God, you're such a fucking loser.

The more places that wrestlers can work and make a living the better

Exactly.

I don’t know what WWE having <2 million subscribers has anything to do with whether AEW can get traction of its own. There are plenty of wrestling fans that would like something diffeeemt to look forward to each week. They get a good TV deal and they are a player.

He can't grasp why people might be interested in an alternative and seems to get offended when new companies crop up. SpectrumTrickyDamon strikes again.

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Buzz Lightyear comments on the Benoit Murders.

Still making my way through the 98 Raw's. Up to the Mar.16 Raw, right before Wrestlemania. HBK/HHH/Chyna version of DX does not age well. Home sick from work, so I just put this episode on.


The amount of signs in the crowd when they do opening crowd shots is just astounding.

Show opens with Ken Shamrock doing a interview with Kevin Kelly in the middle of the ring.

It's too bad Shamrock left wrestling for MMA. Could you imagine Shamrock coming along now? My God, he'd be thr biggest thing in wrestling.

3 men commentary for the first half of Raws: Kevin Kelly, Michael Cole and Jim Ross. I always forget this was the team.

Okay I ended up with some awesome resale tickets for Super Card of Honor at MSG so I'm going for it again. Going to try and watch the last month of TV and see how it goes.

Starting at 12/21 crazy how much the production has improved since my last dip in.

Also aside from getting MSG tickets I am really into the guys they are signing. Looking to develop new stars rather than hire pre-made ones is always a smart call. Especially if you are the most star making company of this generation.

This may be a clips episode but it's cool cause they showing Cody vs Kenny.

The past two matches were Tom Brandi vs Jeff Jarrett and Rock & Roll Express and Jim Conrette vs the Headbangers.

Lol it took a while for Raw to find its groove

Lol oh Jesus, the debut of the New Midnight Express

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If you ever needed confirmation Vince doesn't run this account <a href="https://t.co/OlHzvm68pN">https://t.co/OlHzvm68pN</a></p>&mdash; El Plethora (@ELPlethora) <a href="https://twitter.com/ELPlethora/status/1085326197788160006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Yoga Pants Brock


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Looks like Brock was practicing with the University of Minnesota wrestling team today. Credit <a href="https://twitter.com/GSteveson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GSteveson</a> for the picture. <a href="https://t.co/IOJKqH5TiA">pic.twitter.com/IOJKqH5TiA</a></p>&mdash; Fightful Wrestling (@FightfulWrestle) <a href="https://twitter.com/FightfulWrestle/status/1085653938265718784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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More than this it *could* provide a complete paradigm shift for the whole industry. It’s unlikely but imagine if they make their guys employees rather than “independent contractors”, or the set up a union, or pay a pension.

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If they're going to challenge Vince in any way, then it's going to be on this front. If AEW starts treating wrestlers like human beings, that's going to be a big factor (in addition to the pay). Top talent will go, so Vince will either a) take hits or b) need to change his entire structure to retain talent. That and bringing up the topic of women's pay in wrestling is going to be what makes Vince break budget, which is going to be a conversation with investors.

And when those TV contracts come up, if AEW has a large enough presence and is running as far more cost-effective programming, it is going to affect how much Vince McMahon will be able to ask for. WWE makes way more than their operating costs from TV, which is why they are making record profits despite sucking in basically every other metric. If AEW only needs, say, a $50 million TV deal to be running at a comfortable enough profit for the Khans, then undercutting Vince's asking price means that a few people might scratch their heads and say "Ummm...nah." If/when those profit margins drop, investors are going to be asking why. It's not like this will cripple WWE, but they may not have "record profit years" and take enough of a hit that they need to do a little belt tightening in certain areas to make what they are getting stretch further.

Wrestlers are about to have options, which means they are going to have autonomy and be able to fight for it with Vince, who has basically been able to hand guys scripts and dictate the narrative for the past 20 years.

It's not like AEW is going to get a 5.0 rating and suddenly Vince will be on the streets. No one is saying that. But with a good cable deal and promotion that allows them visibility, there is no reason a completely fresh product that doesn't have old wrestling stigma can't catch fire, within certain parameters, and provide options for wrestlers and sponsors that force Vince to actually give a shit and listen to the fan-base he has cultivated, at the very least.

Was right with Hangman Page until he mentioned not having pineapple on pizza. But given the tone of the letter, he might have been sarcastic, so I might not boycott AEW because of his foolishness.