Thread: "100,001" Replies (Wrestling Forum)
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Old 01-16-2019, 06:34 PM   #47119
Mr. Nerfect
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XL View Post
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.
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.
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