How sad is it that I can watch Survivor Series for free in November and have absolutely no desire to do so?
I know this will never happen but how much better would be product be if they just did a massive cut-back to their product? I mean really go after the "less is more" mentality by eliminating Smackdown, eliminating Main Event, cutting Raw back to two hours...maybe even one hour (*gasp*). Then basically do a behind the scenes roster split with each roster appearing every other week on Raw.
This would immediately make things more fresh. You would only see wrestlers appear twice a month on Raw, prolonging their characters and careers. They would then be able to do this novel idea of keeping the two guys feuding away from each other leading up to a PPV!!
I ask this in all seriousness. Do they really not understand why a Jones vs Cormier PPV will do over a million buys when Cena vs Orton Part 104 would do 100k if it was exclusive to PPV? Can't they see the difference there??
Scott, the 10/30 Raw is on the Wednesday AM schedule as it's been the last few weeks, so they probably just haven't uploaded the new Raws for the week yet.
ReplyDeleteI love how people phrase things. They ask "how sad is it" or say "it really goes to show" with nothing but their personal opinion to prop up such maudlin claims. It isn't sad that you don't want to watch the WWE Network. It's not indicative of any larger thing, regardless of the quality of the current product.
ReplyDeleteThe network deserves to fail because of how stupid they've been with uploading on-demand stuff. With the Network in such a dire situation, you think'd they'd upload EVERYTHING they've got onto the network. Right now as I type this, every Monday Night Raw through at least 2000 should be uploaded and ready to stream. But they're not, and that's insane.
ReplyDeleteIf they uploaded everything they have by the end of the year... what would there be to look forward to?
ReplyDeleteI think only the Rumble, WM, and Brock related things are the only items on the current product that make me want to watch.
Not to change the subject but I have exclusive news about The Undertaker working with the NXT kids..
ReplyDelete"Not shaking hands with everyone? That's a Bradshaw showerin" Disrespecting
the main eventers? That's a Bradshaw showerin. Showering in the locker
room showers? Oh you better believe that's a Bradshaw showering"
Fetch is never going to happen, no matter how many threads you jack.
ReplyDeleteWhat's there to look forward to now? They just flat-out stopped uploading ECW and WCCW. They stopped Raw at '95. Don't get me wrong, I see what you're saying...but in these desperate times, they need to up the ante on the on-demand stuff. If, for instance, they uploaded everything onto the network by the end of the year, you'd have watching all that stuff as something to look forward to. It would take years to watch everything.
ReplyDeleteI can't stand the sarcastic tone of this email (and this sort of communication in general) makes it impossible to take seriously.... that's not even mentioning how stupid all of these ideas are.
ReplyDeleteSomething as specific as adding a few more Raws isn't going to send subscription numbers skyrocketing. Improving the current product won't do the same in the short term, either. The Network's problems are much bigger-picture than those things.
ReplyDeleteThey're committed to it long-term, and as such, leaving themselves more stuff to add over time is probably smarter than dumping it all on us at once.
Your problem is you need to get more fun out of life
ReplyDeleteIt would take years to watch everything, yes... but no-one is going to watch everything. If there's anything I learned about being a tape trader... it's that the hardcore fan base just wants access to everything... not that they actually watch 10% of it. They need to keep dangling that carrot, as dumping everything onto the network is completely short sighted.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but they just offered everyone a free month starting yesterday, and what do you get that's new and fresh if you're a subscriber trying this for the first time? Nothing. You'd think they'd upload SOMETHING interesting and cool to hook people.
ReplyDeleteAlso, nothing is getting a million buys in UFC anymore either. That ship has sailed. It's only a matter of time before Dana changes his PPV model.
ReplyDeleteI dunno. My own personal archive on an external harddrive is nearly as good as the network's. Actually it's better cause it has every attitude era Raw. And since I don't give a shit about the current product, what am I even paying for? I, like many, am going to become one of those people that only subscribes from January through March for RR and WM now that the six month commitment thing is over.
ReplyDeleteThey aren't "desperate times" in the way you're describing. The company isn't in danger of going out of business, and the Network isn't having the plug pulled on it any time soon. Nothing they're doing seems to be moving the needle right now anyway, so why waste a bullet like all of the Attitude Era Raws and Nitros when it probably won't do a fucking thing for you right now?
ReplyDeleteTotally agree.
ReplyDeleteThey sure seem desperate. Giving away a month for free and waiving the six-month commitment.
ReplyDeleteSo essentially there is nothing they could do to get you to subscribe anyway, is that what I'm hearing?
ReplyDeleteHell of a job dangling that carrot they're doing, too. Maybe once they drop below 500K subscribers domestically they'll actually start uploading it.
ReplyDeleteGiving something away for free is basic marketing. Everyone from major corporations, to small businesses, to drug dealers know that.
ReplyDeleteExactly. His issue here is simply that it's not a product for him. Goes back to what I said about the OP, about people extrapolating big-picture issues from their own personal opinion.
ReplyDeleteAdam Rank on NFL Fantasy Live just compared Cordarelle Patterson to Brock Lesnar.
ReplyDeleteI'm aware these things happened. They don't do anything to refute my point.
ReplyDeleteActually, if you're a first time subscriber... EVERYTHING is new and fresh, plus you get to test the PPV streaming capabilities on Survivor Series.
ReplyDeleteIf they're first-time subscribers, it's all new .
ReplyDeleteWell duh.
ReplyDeleteI think more focus on a monthly theme could help. Maybe one month is WCCW stuff, where that's what they're actively pushing. You get Kevin Von Eric and Michael Hayes to host a few shows, talk about the rivalry, all that good stuff. Next month is ECW focused and so on. The thought of just putting up every RAW and Nitro is just baffling.
ReplyDeleteI've subscribed since day 1. But I find myself now logging on and finding nothing I feel like watching.
ReplyDeleteI'd really like SOME kind of schedule. Anything. They don't even upload Countdown anymore.
ReplyDeleteYou're gonna start baffling him with talk like that.
ReplyDelete"Oh, I get the Survivor Series for free, but I don't wanna watch! Oh boo hoo! Why does WWE hate us all?"
ReplyDeleteWhat could they add that you would want to watch?
ReplyDeleteNo it is a product for me. But wouldn't you even admit that the on-demand stuff hasn't been handle right? Whether you agree with my massive upload idea or not. What they have right now, just doesn't seem like enough.
ReplyDeleteAs a FU to Punk, The Bestest in the World
ReplyDeleteno it goes back to the stupidity of the "leave them wanting more" philosophy on an on demand service. That's fine for a cliffhanger. It's utter insanity for a service you are paying for. Put the shit up and stop with this obvious failure of an idea that the key to network success is leaving people hoping that someday they will put the stuff they want. What other services know is variety is what sells. So maybe not having more WCCW isn't killing the service but not having that and ECW and Mid south and AWA and all the 80s and 90s WWF syndicated shows and Mid-atlantic and a million other things IS killing renewals. I will never understand this idea that I'm more likely to renew on the HOPE that they put stuff up I like rather than KNOWING that their is a shit ton of stuff I can watch.
ReplyDeleteECW Hardcore TV, various NWA and pre-Biscoff WCW shows, WWF Superstars/Wrestling Challenge, Coliseum videos
ReplyDeleteI feel like he will be inevitably dressed as a gladiator in promotion of a PPV at some point, maybe they'll go down that road for a nickname...
ReplyDeleteThe line that mot irked me was "cutting Raw back to two hours...maybe even one hour (*gasp*)."
ReplyDeleteSuch an obnoxious immature way to make a point. It reminds me of the way a lot of first time writers like to be all "Not that anyone is reading this anyway because it is a waste of your time" as far as the tone and the usefulness.
What I want them to add or not add has nothing to do with their problems, is the point.
ReplyDeleteThe Unstoppable Force.
ReplyDeleteAnd do you think that is a specific interest for you, or do you think there are a lot of people out there that may not subscribe or re-subscribe because those aren't there?
ReplyDeleteor the 250k that dropped the service because there wasnt enough that interested them. I think my theory is better than yours.
ReplyDeleteHeel-only: The Expansion.
ReplyDeleteI think they need original content, not old episodes. The die hards watch that stuff. They're already on board for the most part.
ReplyDeleteThey need to go with documentary type programming, akin to HBO's Hard Knocks and 24/7 shows. Stuff that truly goes behind the scenes and into the everyday lives of the talent.
In that we can't stop WWE from forcing him down our throats.
ReplyDeleteOk fine but at least you acknoledge that they do have problems. I'm not trying to say that more on-demand uploads will solve everything. But it won't hurt either. It'll help...at least a little.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of people who want that stuff and every non-WWE poll I've seen conducted on the subject says so.
ReplyDeletedo we know that. I've said before they have to figure out how to get more subscribers. They need to get three types of people. First is transferring Raw viewers into network subscribers. Second is getting lapsed fans. Third is then expanding into curious people who don't watch much or even at all. Obviously based on the massive amounts of folks who ditched the service they didn't satisfy parts one and two and obviously haven't done anything for number three. While some of the issue may be the current programming I'd also bet a fair amount of non-renewals were based on the lack of archives that have been put up.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lack of understanding of how a lot of different things work. And it's also a lack of reading comprehension, considering how often it's been explained.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if they haven't uploaded more shit, given how much crap they've been eating with the Network, isn't it more likely that there is a technical reason why they haven't made this content available? No, they just want to piss off their client base. That makes fucking sense.
the diehards around here and on another board I post at are dropping it in droves due to the lack of archives. Is this a huge amount? No, but you have to figure others agree and the 250k non-renewals says something is amiss. Obviously the current way is a failure. Why not try both? Netflix doesn't just upload comedies, they satisfy a wide audience.
ReplyDeleteHonestly someone who can get everything the network has... for free... and still isn't happy should consider a new hobby.
ReplyDeletespeaking of needing new hobbies....
ReplyDeleteBig Daddy Cool Roman Reigns
ReplyDeleteYes?
ReplyDeleteI just have an issue with people telling others why they should be satisfied with something. They aren't. We all have different tastes. Facts say the network is a big disappointment financially at this point. We can argue over why and how to fix it and even agree to disagree, but I do take issue with others telling someone that having an opinion makes them somehow unworthy of being a fan.
ReplyDeleteVince is desperate to hit the 1M as a matter of personal pride. The company took a hit, a bigger one than they anticipated, but they're not struggling to stay afloat.
ReplyDeleteSo your end game here was to get me to admit they're having major problems with the thing? Of fucking course they are. Who was disputing that?
ReplyDeleteSingle moms wet dream.
ReplyDeleteSexy Samoan Jesus
The leader of the new baby boomer generation.
I agree, the negativity and bitterness here is off the charts for something that is still a great benefit for fans. This time last year, if I wanted to watch old Survivor Series, I'd have to scour YouTube or Daily Motion for low quality uploads of SOME of the shows. Now, I've got them all at my fingertips.
ReplyDeleteWhen a $9.99 per month network subscription is not worth it paying, it will either mean I'm unemployed or I've decided to move on as a fan.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteStone Cold Rock Hogan Roman Reigns. If you associate him with bigger stars, people will realize that he's as great as they were.
ReplyDeletenope. They aren't because they can keep cutting salaries and the wrestlers have few options. Ultimately they people this hurts is the wrestlers, particularly the mid card guys (although with a smaller roster the fans get even more oversaturation of key guys). But I agree that this is all about Vince being able to come back and say "see, I did hit a million" even if it means killing the model ultimately.
ReplyDeleteyour welcome.
ReplyDeleteDouble R Roman Reigns
ReplyDeleteWho cares if the network is a disappointment financially? Who does that information affect you as a fan, outside of some twisted sense of Schadenfraud? If you're not satisfied, don't pay the money. If you don't like what they're doing, vote with your wallet.
ReplyDeleteAnd 'llax is right, if you don't like the product SO MUCH that you feel the need to spend your free time bitching about it online, why do you bother watching it? There's gotta be something better you can do with your time, no?
As it pertains to the OP, getting the Network for free and then writing an email about how it's sad that you don't even want it is beyond douchebaggery.
ReplyDeleteYou are allowed to have that issue, but what I said is correct. Getting something for free... and expecting more for free is just bitterness. The guy that wrote this email is complaining that he is getting something for free but he doesn't want it... which means he wants more for free... someone that is that hard to please is never going to be satisfied and would likely find greater enjoyment doing something else.
ReplyDeleteNot unworthy, just whiny and spoiled sounding.
ReplyDeleteI haven't actually heard him be referred to as the Big Dog.
ReplyDeleteSame, I'm sad about it too.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, if they could make a deal with DC like they did with Marvel for Hogan they could do a lot worse than "The Superman Roman Reigns"
ReplyDeleteJesus what's with you? Get a life. Look, I don't care what you "admit" or don't admit. I'm just saying that as a subscriber from day 1, I'm down on the on-demand stuff and want more. That's all.
ReplyDelete"Not Dean Ambrose" Roman Reigns.
ReplyDeleteI found myself feeling that turned off by the product myself, once.
ReplyDeleteAnd I did exactly that: I found a different way to use my time. It was remarkably effective.
I'm just imagining JBL during a future Reigns match... LET THE BIG DOG EAT!
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/GoKkSYgWVHQ?t=30s
Roman "Where the fuck is the NFL thread" Reigns?
ReplyDeleteNew Raw episodes always go up on weekdays only.
ReplyDeleteWell I only skimmed the email and I didn't take it so personally. His point was that he was disappointed with wrestling so much that he didn't care about Survivor series, even for free. Hell I feel that way every month. I get the network for the old stuff and occasionally happen to watch some of a ppv. I just finally watched Brock/UT last night. Yeah the rest of the email shows a shocking lack of understanding of the business and how it works these days, but I think the general gist was that the product sucks to this person and that less is more, which I don't disagree with. Unfortunately it's not feasible with the deals with USA.
ReplyDeleteThis x1000. Although to be fair, this question reads like it was asked by a younger guy.
ReplyDeleteIt's how I feel about music since about the early 2000s. I stopped paying attention and stopped paying for stuff I clearly don't care about. It's also how I felt about WWE around 2006-2008/9. Oddly enough, this blog brought back into the product...
ReplyDeleteIf there wasn't the brainy type around this blog discussing the business side I would have checked out a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteAnd focused more effort on Cresto Investigations!
ReplyDeleteI just enjoy talking about the business aspects of wrestling. Consider it my hobby. At some point I may vote with my wallet. I have years of ppvs to watch from 2004ish to current that I never watched. I have seen literally every WWF and WCW ppv from 1985 to 2000 (and to 2002 with WWF) so if the later WWF ppvs don't do anything for me and they don't add more archives of stuff like Primtetime, then I might cancel. The current product is not an issue for me. I don't care about it much so the monthly ppv is merely a bonus not any sort of enticement. I'm the poster child for the lapsed fan.
ReplyDeleteAs far as bitching online, if you haven't figure out that is what sports fans do, UFC fans do, hardcore movies fans do, and yes wrestling fans do, then you aren't paying attention much, particularly in this blog.
While people do indeed have different tastes... if you are a poster here, you're probably a pretty big wrestling fan, and having HD access to MORE WRESTLING THAN YOU COULD EVER WATCH... for $10 a month is a no brainer.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I guess some guy posted Abey's pic last night, did we ever find out who it was? I could have some fun tracking that guy down.
ReplyDeleteFresh eyes help with the burnout too. Sometimes it's best to take a month off here and there if you hate the product.
ReplyDeleteSpeed Force
ReplyDeletewhich is why I tend to only pipe up when we talk about older stuff or the business side. I haven't regularly watched Raw in 7 or 8 years and SD in probably 10 years. I did exactly what you say, I lost interest and I stopped watching. But I've still always enjoyed keeping up with the business and talking about the older stuff.
ReplyDeleteTo my knowledge it has not been made public yet.
ReplyDeleteWeds at 5 am.
ReplyDeletehe seems a touch grumpy this morning.
ReplyDeleteOf you could kill the goose to get all the golden eggs out of its belly. Eggs are delicious right?
ReplyDeleteRoman "Panty Dropper" Reigns.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't free, they put an annoying hold on your account which deducts 9.99 and charge you on Dec 1st if you don't cancel.
ReplyDeleteSweet Baby Jesus Roman Reigns
ReplyDeleteOr any good catch phrases
ReplyDeleteI've figured that out, I just don't get the need/desire to. Just because you can do something doesn't make it worth your time to do so. And it's not so much the bitching that bothers me. For example, the ending to last week's Hell in the Cell, it was a bit stupid and people complained that it was stupid, and that's cool, voice your opinion.
ReplyDeleteIt's the CONSTANT rehashing of shit that we've gone over and over and round and round about that I don't get. We not only beat a dead horse, but then we destroy the glue bottle that the horse got turned into.
There are a bunch of people on this blog I enjoy bantering with and discussing stuff on a wide range of topics, which is why I still stick around. I just don't get the need for constant negativity.
I'm the single mom's wet dream.
ReplyDeleteHow's your aunt?
Magilla Gorilla.
ReplyDeleteI'm an aberration. I don't watch the current stuff really. I'm all about the archives. I have a VERY extensive DVD library with every WWF ppv from 85-00 and lots of WCW stuff too, plus probably 60% of the DVD sets WWE has released about a particular wrestler or subject (e.g. ladder matches). So I have more of a vested interest in both archives and original programming that isn't focused on today's product (such as I want more stuff like MNW and Rivalries and don't care about preshows and recaps or first look stuff). At some point if I don't start seeing more ECW or some old territory stuff and especially if I don't get either 80s WWF or attitude era Raws and Nitros, then I check out.
ReplyDeleteEh we all have those days.
ReplyDeleteThat seems like a schedule...
ReplyDeleteIt would be best for the nickname to nonsensically pair two nouns together, i.e. Apex Predator.
ReplyDeleteACtually that's a great question. Is it a gigantic process digitizing, going through everything, and editing out music, old phone #'s, etc. OR are they strategically holding back on unloading more of their content.
ReplyDeleteThe Samoan Surgeon
ReplyDeleteWell then you kind of parallel the network complainers. You have to weight the negativity you say you don't like with the aspects of the blog you do. So someone else, that is told to "get a new hobby" weighs the positives of the network with the disappointment they feel. Ultimately somebody might say to you or Mike Mears or Parallax about this blog to "get a new hobby" also. But you have your valid reasons for being here just as the complainers do as well and have their valid reasons for continuing to watch wrestling for the aspects they DO like
ReplyDeleteNot to mention the closed captioning, which someone mentioned earlier this week was part of the pain in the ass.
ReplyDeletePinnacle King
ReplyDeleteAn apex predator is actually a thing. When an animal is at the top of its food chain and isn't a regular food source for other animals (I.e. humans, some snakes, lions, etc.) Then it is an apex predator.
ReplyDeleteplenty of stuff got sanitized for 24/7. The only thing I've heard is an issue having to CC everything, not sure how valid that is or truthful.
ReplyDeleteSo the end result of the Network is that PPVs now cost $10 instead of $60. Gee, I wonder how they are losing so much money...
ReplyDeleteRoman "Loreal" Reigns.
ReplyDeleteI wish they would do something really outside the box with the network. Bring back WCW as a network exclusive, tape shows in the south. Jobber suggested having a completely adult oriented company or show as a network exclusive. They are just recycling old shit and what new stuff they have done has to much of a "winners write history" stank on it.
ReplyDeleteNew Rule:
ReplyDeleteNo writing out gasps to make yourself sound witty.
Lunatic Majority
ReplyDeleteThe Samoan Spear Machine
ReplyDeleteThis x1000 that irritated me in an irrational amount.
ReplyDeleteTHE SAND RIPPA. or PUNCHY.
ReplyDeletetwo things. One that would require way more of an investment/risk than Vince is willing to do. This company clings to Cena like a toddler to a teddy bear, so the idea they would take that kind of risk is a non-starter, even if kind of cool. Two, they recycled shit gets good "ratings" on the network.
ReplyDeleteSid can come in and mentor him as "Stabby"
ReplyDeleteYou're saying you don't *gasp* like your sarcasm drenched in condescension?
ReplyDeleteAnd Ahmed Johnson can teach him mic skills.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, but there are a few people here who don't seem to like any aspect of what is happening with the business, and there are just as many people (if not more) telling people how shitty the business is and not understanding why we even bother with it. If the extent of the pro-side of the argument is me, 'llax and Mears, then we are SORELY outnumbered.
ReplyDeleteLook who's back...
ReplyDeleteback again...
Nasty's back...
tell a friend.
You got Vince Jordan
ReplyDeleteThen I stand corrected.
ReplyDelete"Vince's Jerk Off Material" Roman Reigns.
ReplyDeleteHonestly you three are the only ones that seem to make sense most of the time.
ReplyDeleteThe product is a joke. Most people who want to talk wrestling come there to talk the business side. I don't see the problem. That is what this site has always been about.
ReplyDeletealso I think people just tend to focus on the negative. I mean you see it in sports like I said or lots of other hobbies like comics and movies. You see in in politics with FoxNews in particular and to a lesser extent other partisan sites on the left and right constantly trying to stoke OUTRAGE. We do tend to lose site of the positives in life and even in our leisure time, which is why I do remind myslf how cool it is that I do get to watch Lesnar/UT 6 months after the fact just because I finally got around to it.
ReplyDeleteAurora Levesque's husband in 20 years in the future.
ReplyDeleteI consider Vince a rogue agent. He's on his own side!
ReplyDelete