Just read over at the Torch that Jerry Jarrett plans on starting his own fed to compete with the WWF, complete with weekly 2 hour television show. Here's the catch; in order to see the program, you'll have to order it for $9.95 on PPV every week.
Is he on crack? I mean, the WWF looked into doing this and realized pretty quick that even the sheep wouldn't buy into this. Coughing up one large lump sum is something I can occasionally con myself into... but I can't see spending 10 bucks a week to see what I've got for free every Monday on RAW (we don't get UPN in State College).
More to the point, this is just another indy fed, at least in the beginning. There will be no storylines to hook the casual viewer at the beginning... hell, there will BE no casual viewers because you don't just happen upon a $10 PPV and say "What the heck?" How do you convince people to buy that first show, or the one after?
And I was wondering just how hard it would be for a family-friendly wrestling fed to get a cable TV slot these days. Wrestling is a proven ratings draw in the key demographics. A product acceptable to the suits as well would likely be able to find a home... USA's head honcho admitted that losing the WWF cost them dearly. USA, FX, even ABC Family might be interested. Or perhaps one of the Turner networks would give them a shot if they didn't have the headache's associated with WCW.
Just seems like an idiot move to me... anybody else?
My opinion? About the only way this has a chance in hell of being remotely successful is if Jerry Jarrett signs just about every big star who isn't already under WWFE contract. Not too many of those left anymore though, are there?
Originally posted by oldschoolheroJarrett's a shrewd promoter. I'm willing to bet he's got something up his sleeve...
Yep, not only does he have the full support of Direct TV and In Demand (meaning that he can limp along in the beginning and try to build a following), but he'll have the option of offering 8 hours of PPV each month for forty bucks (or less, if you buy a package deal) as opposed to less than three hours of PPV for thirty-five bucks for the WWF.
And he'll be featuring wrestlers that you can't see for free for four hours each week.
The only problem is that there isn't enough main event-caliber talent available with mainstream appeal to make this work.
However, if he starts gain a following, then McMahon can launch a competing show---weekly PPV only--called "WCW Nitro", and he can shift big-name talent over from the WWF to carry it. Imagine a WWF relaunch featuring Nash, Hall, Booker T, other big names, who can come in and rotate as main eventers with other established talent. Meanwhile he can keep the mid-cards totally separate. Give the show to Heyman to run, with Shane as the company's "owner".
The talent would appreciate the chance to work a lighter schedule for three or four months, and when they return to the WWF, they'd get the pop of the returning favorites.
The only obstacle will be that McMahon would have to find a way to get In Demand and Direct TV to allow him to compete with the Jarrett fed.
So Slapnuts Sr. is opening up a new fed and charging 10 bucks a week to watch. 10$ a week to watch old school south booking, and the guys the WWF decided not to pick up? Dude is this serious or are you guys just pulling my dick? This sounds too surreal.
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The funny thing is that it's not just gonna be Jerry Jarrett losing money on this...In Demand, who I'd guess makes most of their money from the WWF, is gonna end up making WCW's money-losing fiasco look like Ted Turner dropped a $5 bill in a storm drain.
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