“saturation or a smart idea”
With news going around that a few new weekly wrestling shows might appear on the WWE network, I’ve been thinking about what kind of shows exactly we might see. There’s been news saying a few cruiserweight performers have been contacted by WWE for a cruiserweight show for the network. There’s also been news that FCW will be moving their tapings to a different location which will make filming much easier and much better on the eyes for the fans. Currently floating around some networks and online is WWE Superstars and NXT: Redemption. At this point we’re safe to say NXT isn’t “redemption” worthy anymore as it’s basically turned into a third brand. With William Regal running the show it’s actually turned into quite an entertaining program and also gives the opportunity to see the new up and coming superstars. Although much of this is speculation and things are constantly changing I still like the topic and find it a good topic of discussion.
If the news is true about WWE contacting cruiserweights for a new program on their network is true, I for one am cautiously excited. I loved WCWs cruiserweight division especially after they raided much of AAA and Japan of some of their top stars. WWE never really seemed to back their lightweight division and made feeble attempts over the years to revamp it. Rey Mysterio was WWEs breakout cruiserweight star and probably the smallest individual to win top tier gold in the company. With that being said, if WWE started a cruiserweight program would it kill the push the smaller superstars are already receiving on Raw/Smackdown? Or would it make it harder to believe a cruiserweight could move up to Raw/Smackdown and win one of the world titles? WWE has always made their high flyers slow it down in the ring and adapt to the WWE style of things. I’ve heard they do that not only to protect their investment in the superstar as days off from injury put a wrench in the plans, but also because they don’t want fans to waste all their excitement on the fast paced action. I would hope if the network does have a weekly cruiserweight show that it’s done right and the WWE is fully behind it. This has potential to be one of my favorite shows if it actually turns into realism.
An almost sure thing we’ve been hearing about is the fact that FCW will be taping in a bigger and better location which will make filming it a lot more TV friendly. FCW already does tapings but doesn’t get much exposure on TV or even online for that matter. WWE seems to want to make this into a regular show on their network. Seeing the freshly hired talent would interest me and seeing how they grow and develop would be quite interesting. I think this would also help build bigger superstars by starting their fan base out early. In most cases when you see a performer you enjoy you support them and follow their career. This might give WWE a little extra time to build a character and also if they gain a bigger fan base, that means more cash from merch, ticket purchases, etc.. Although NXT is almost the same thing, the superstars on NXT are a lot more seasoned and have been around longer or shown more improvement than others. What I enjoy about FCW is the fact that it has its own title and it’s a totally separate brand. This would be another show I’d be willing to watch if put on my plate.
Next up is Superstars and NXT. Superstars seems to be a mixture of low-midcard talent and Divas who aren’t making it on Raw/Smackdown just yet. Or they could also not be involved in a current storyline or be on their way out the door. Currently I’m not sure if keeping Superstars around once the network gets going is needed. If NXT turns into somewhat of a third brand, then whatever usually happens on Superstars (some really great wrestling matches) could happen on NXT instead. I would like to see WWE turn NXT into a third brand, without a title. Instead of a title I’d rather have the top guy get his shot at Raw/Smackdown somehow. I would also keep William Regal in charge of NXT as I enjoy him in a GM type role. He’s great on the mic and still can perform with the best of them if need be. NXT is already “hiring” talent from FCW on the show which would be a great thing to continue. When a superstar is ready to move up from FCW, it makes sense to have them on NXT to learn the ropes first. Obviously there will always be the exceptions when WWE decides to bring someone right up to a main show. In the past that hasn’t always worked out. I’m not sure what exactly WWE will do here but I’m hoping something like I said will happen.
If the WWE network has these as their new wrestling shows would you be interested? What kind of show would you prefer to see? Feel free to comment and give details on what you would like to see as new wrestling shows on the network. Also another thing I would like your opinion on is if having this many wrestling shows on the network would be too much? Would it saturate the network with too many wrestling shows? Or is it a good idea to have all these new shows to display talent?
James Bones
@violentshadows
violentshadows@hotmail.com
Ringsidehustle.com 
NXT is already pretty much a third brand. I just don’t like the redemption name being apart of it.
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Instead of “Redemption” it should be called “Endurance”.
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Endurance? Well, it is better than Redemption 🙂 I wonder who from FCW will be on NXT?
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I get it. “Endurance” because it just keeps going! lol.
I hate the Redemption part too, and until it’s removed I won’t consider it a proper brand. Probably waiting for it’s debut on the network or some crap.
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The problem with…
A Cruiserweights show: Cruiserweights are great, and I’d be happy about them getting more TV time, but separating them from the main shows would be disastrous. For one, it could segment the audience, but more importantly it would give the company an excuse for never giving smaller competitors fair chances to get over, or become top guys they’d be looked at as “second-rate.”
A FCW show: The first word you said, “over-saturation” is the issue. Wrestlers need time to hone their craft, without having to worry about a global audience scrutinizing their every step. Plus, fans these days quickly lose interest, so exposing them to new stars sooner, would only wear out their interest sooner. Granted, storylines/characters/creative is a large factor in that. Of course, there’s also the issue of continuity. Names and gimmicks are frequently changed in FCW, and once more prior to being called up to the main roster. Besides, WWE already has issues distinguishing low/mid carders and maineventers, let alone coming up with good storylines for them. More talent to worrying about would only make the problem worse.
Superstars/NXT/etc show: Because we can all see how much WWE currently cares about these shows. Not to mention, ratings are always through the roof! Oh, and once again, and excuse not to feature lower level talent on the main shows, with storylines.
And then there’s the over-saturation thing.
As you can see, I’m still firmly opposed to the whole idea of the Network.
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Love this, thank you! You have really good strong points. Like that’s a lot of pressure on the young guys of FCW and even NXT if they’re expected to perform like the Raw/Smackdown crew. You’re right about the global audience. I worry about way more substance abuse and even suicides because they’re going to feel the pressure way too early on. We all know Vince expects the most out of everyone…but when is enough, enough? Will they all end up like drones or zombies just there to do their job?
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Dude, you never put ”Continue Reading” for your column. There’s no categories or tags added, the fuck is going on?! lol
Anyway, great column. I LOVE the Cruiserweights show and hope it does happen. WCW had a great Cruiserweights division but they didn’t push any of them. That’s one thing WWE were good at, building stars while WCW put over Hogan, lol. Anyway, I think a Cruiserweights show would be great. A great way to showcase up and coming wrestlers. I don’t think we’ll ever see wrestlers being ”dropped down” to it.
I have to start watching NXT again, I love Bill Regal, he’s extremely interesting.
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pahahha I totally forgot today. Awesome. At least my title isn’t a god damn facebook status. 🙂 I’ll add them in.
As a cruiserweight fan I would love to see that show too. I just wonder if it would damage the chances for them to go after a bigger title and such.
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FIXED. I blame memory loss. I’m usually the tag master.
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and as for continue reading… I don’t even know how to do that. Bitch about important things(like how Canada is going to kill Ireland in Global Wars) or show me howwwww.
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Ireland could never beat Canada in Global Wars since we’ve only had about two well know wrestlers. We were fucked before we started.
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I win! YES!
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I’m more interested in whether they’ll get the Network going or not?
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I think it will happen, just not anytime soon.
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I have my doubts. But even if they did get it going, I don’t think it will come to the UK and Ireland anyway.
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I’ve already called my cable providers here in this part of Canada and they don’t plan on adding it to their line up. I wonder if it’s even been properly shopped around? In Canada we pay extra for HBO Canada, so I wish they’d at least do something like that.
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I get an ECW(new version) vibe from NXT right now.
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Ever watch WWE: Are You Serious? They made fun of WWEECW the other day. Showed the Zombie characters skillz. I wish they never ever ever called that ECW.
I like the look of the NXT ring. If they had Regal as GM instead of match maker or whatever the hell they call him, and lost the Redemption part and treated it like a new, edgy show that displays the new talent I would be excited all over again for it.
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I don’t get that mentality though. I mean I’m guessing most of the guys who are impressing in WWE at the minute were allowed they could work a faster paced style (Punk, Bryan, Ziggler being the main three in my humble opinion). Apart from Sheamus and Brodus Clay (no comment) I would say would be enjoy working faster. Even Cody, Swagger, Kofi (definitely), R-Truth and the like would benefit from a tweaking of the WWE style.
But it wouldn’t benefit Super Cena and Orton, so it’s always just going to be a distant dream.
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They need to try something different than what’s going on, especially if they want people to tune in that much! So if Vince has to change it up, so be it. Hopefully HHH is bringing new blood into the office.
What, no comment on the only living, breathing Funkasaurus in captivity? LOL!
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I did see the Zombie bit. Should’ve kept it on to see it could get over.
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WWE would be brave to have a cruiserweight show with established stars. If they’re allowed to have a show wrestling the style they want, isn’t it going to reflect badly on what is happening on Smackdown and Raw with the matches some of the “bigger” guys are putting on?
I mean if they’re putting guys like Mysterio, Sin Cara, JoMo if he gets resigned in a division.
Compare that to the matches Kane, Big Show, Tensai, Khali are putting on the main brand it’s going to steal some of the thunder.
I’d rather watch a that than some of what is being portrayed on the main show.
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And I’ve always read rumours that Vince didn’t want his cruiserweights to be that fast because it made his guys look bad. That’s why his cruiserweights (or lightweights) were always working a slower WWE style.
If WWE does a cruiserweight show…I really hope it’s not the toned down WWE style…but then again, would Vince want that to become more popular than his big shots. I know exactly what you’re saying man. I’d wet myself if Rey, Cara and JoMo were apart of a cruiserweight show!
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A well-balanced/mixed show would be ideal. Don’t know why they don’t get that.
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I think the idea of scrapping Superstars is a good one. Superstars was originally for those who didn’t appear on Raw/Smackdown…well now NXT has took that slot, so really, there’s no need for 2 shows doing the same thing.
I’d be all for a Cruiserweight show too. I’ve always found Cruiserweights/Light Heavyweights/X-Division style matches to be quite entertaining, and I think if done right, it could be a good show. I’d certainly tune into that.
Although as a few people said above, not sure if we in England will get this. Shame if true, I used to love The Wrestling Channel we had over here a few years back, wrestling shows throughout the day. If WWE put the Network on over here, I’d be tuning in for certain.
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Exactly. Scrapping Superstars just makes sense really! Unless “Redemption” finally crowns a winner. LOL! Regal gives the honour to himself, shows over.
That’s amazing you guys even had a wrestling channel. That makes me jealous. I’d even be willing to pay to watch the WWE network online if that’s my only option. 😦
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Redemption will crown a winner when the world ends. Or like you say, have Regal declare himself winner!
It was great, despite the fact of no WWE shown on there. We still got NWA-TNA, ROH, indies from the UK/US, Japanese stuff, shoot interviews. They tried rebranding it, and adding MMA/boxing but then finally pulled the plug 😦
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See that sounds like a better channel to me. At least you get a whole mix of everything. WWE better have old WCW shows playing all the time, as well as original ECW.
Do you think WWE would ever sell airtime to something from Japan or even like WWC (who they sometimes cross promote because it’s Colon Sr.) If Tajiri starts a new thing over in Japan they could easily make a deal with him. Would Vince even think of doing this?
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It’s hard to predict whether if too many shows would saturate the network. I’m curious about the cruiserweight show. It sounds like is has some potential and in addition to bringing in new international talent, they could also utilize the small flying guys like Primo/Epico or Evan Bourne. Or Hunico and Camacho. Each of these guys are able to work an exciting and fast-paced style that would fit well with that kind of program.
I would be interested in seeing FCW. I’ve been watching it alot on You Tube lately and I just like the rawness of the product. Though moving the tapings to a better looking facility would be a great help. The biggest complaints I hear about FCW is that the presentation sucks and the crowds have zero. Moving the tapings to a new place would alleviate those issues.
Superstars and NXT may be the throaway shows, but each has something I like. Superstars may only be an hour long, but it often features the best pure wrestling matches of any WWE show during the week (though SD has way better wrestling than Raw). Guys like Justin Gabriel, Tyson Kidd, Kofi, and others are able to have the 15 min matches that they would never have on Raw. Remember that awesome match Regal and Daniel Bryan had last year? Remember how much Chris Masters had improved on Superstars before he was fired?
I really lost track of NXT after season 3, but any show with Regal as a featured performer is a winner in my book!
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I like how you mention Primo, Epico, Hunico and Camacho. I’m really excited to see what’s up with this A.W. group. I like the work all of these guys are putting out. Having a show that gives guys like this more time would be watchable for sure.
I haven’t watched that much FCW I should check it out.
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I love cruiserweights and I’m all for a cruiserweight show after all they aren’t being utilised on the main shows therefore having a show solely based on them would give them a better platform, or so I feel.
I’d be all for the FCW shows too, it would give them a nice platform to earn more fans, having said that their characters do change regularly therefore it may be hard to get into it. But it would definitely give them a good starting block and let them earn tv experience.
And they DEFINITELY need to bring Tough Enough back! The last series was fucking brilliant, Stone Cold was gold as was Bill DeMott, Booker T and Trish Stratus.
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Ohhh good one! I forgot about Tough Enough. You’re so right…they need that on the network. It was a decent success for them. I’d hope they bring back Stone Cold, too. He’s a perfect fit.
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