Post by That 80s Guy on Sept 28, 2016 20:04:46 GMT -5
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Quite sometime back, I got to thinking about WWE being the monster force that it is and swallowing up any competition that comes it's way.
Now with the potential TNA Impact buyout this coming Friday, I've started wondering....
Could World Wrestling Entertainment in the 21st Century, become what the National Wrestling Alliance was in the 20th Century?
For those whom aren't aware of pro wrestling's past history, the NWA was the dominate force in pro wrestling for a majority of the 20th century - holding territories (independent companies under the governing body of the NWA), not only throughout the US, but internationally abroad. And throughout these territories, talent exchange was a common practice. Each territory had their own champion or set of champions, much like indy companies of today do. And with that, the NWA had it's own set of World Champions (Heavyweight, Tag Team, Women's) that would defend their titles in each territory, night in and night out. The belts were almost "universal" in a sense, as any contender the NWA Board of Directors felt could dethrone a current champion - could they themselves, take over that spot of traveling and representing the company.
Of course, this became a system to become passé, thanks to Vince taking World Wide and turning it into the powerhouse it's become today.
And speaking of today, fast forward to what's happening right now.
Say WWE inc. makes that final bid on Friday (the same day of the work week they purchased WCW 15 1/2yrs ago), and TNA LLC becomes WWE property. With a great roster of talent, that could potentially wind up back in WWE several years later (reference former ECW guys), and with it's own network, WWE could do with the brand what they didn't do with WCW: keep it's doors open. The popular belief is that Vince would hand pick the talent he wants, sign them over to NXT (which would congest the NXT roster, just like the Cruiserweights are doing to the RAW roster presently), achieve the library for the network, and let the company die out. But what if Vince kept it open? Relocating to a smaller studio (similar to NXT/CWC events), changed it up to look more original-based (give it a neon orange or green theme, since Purple is CWC and Yellow is NXT), and hand the reigns over to someone such as Paul Heyman (for example). Triple H, I'm certain, would do a great job revamping TNA. But with RAW, SDL, and NXT on his plate, he wouldn't have the time obviously. But with a good figure head, and a network already in place with keeping costs low... it could become a great asset to the E!
And with WWE's involvement with EVOLVE Wrestling (which after attending E59 in Dallas, I've said it is what ECW would be today), and already having RAW, SDL, NXT, say TNA is kept open, EVOLVE, and maybe opening the door to a working relationship with possibly Sinclair/ROH... and an extension of the "olive branch" towards NJPW... WWE would be in position to operate itself as a governing body, over these sanctions (a new BoD would have to be created, of course, involving heads of Sinclair, ROH, NJPW, and the heads of creative force behind the already existing brands).
And I know it's kind of a joke belt right now, but think about the possibility of the 'Universal' title, for a minute.
(Just before the Invasion angle, I remember telling people that if they keep WCW and ECW alive and separate, they should create a 'universal' championship - specifically using that keyword "universal" - as a title that could float over any of those companies. It's a shame we never got to see something great like that happen, but the potential this time around is def there).
With these various brands, they would be categorized as being within the "WWE Universe"; hence forth, create a set of Universal Tag Team Champions, and a Universal Women's title, then you've got championships that could attain legendary status over time - as they could defended in ANY particular brand at ANY given time! Yes, each organization would still maintain their own independent championship/s.
I don't know about anybody else, but If this is the route WWE went down, eliminated those horse$#!t reality shows in favor of more brands, and they wanted to up the monthly subscription price to 14.99 or even 19.99, I'd gladly pay it!
==
And there's so much more one could add to this type of expansion ....
Like setting up a corporate structure of levels, that would put RAW & SDL at the top as the mega brands, TNA & NJPW just below that as the major brands, EVOLVE & ROH as the 3rd tier brands, and use NXT as that entry level brand that it was originally intended to be. Or elevate NXT, due to it's popularity of becoming a brand in it's own right, and create a new entry level brand..
Or the idea of adding to WrestleMania weekend, and making it a WrestleMania Week, with major events from each brand; think of Axxess and how HUGE it would be. Talk about a soggy, wet dream for just about ANY wrestling fan out there!!
(not impossible, but highly unlikely. what are everyone's thoughts?)
Quite sometime back, I got to thinking about WWE being the monster force that it is and swallowing up any competition that comes it's way.
Now with the potential TNA Impact buyout this coming Friday, I've started wondering....
Could World Wrestling Entertainment in the 21st Century, become what the National Wrestling Alliance was in the 20th Century?
For those whom aren't aware of pro wrestling's past history, the NWA was the dominate force in pro wrestling for a majority of the 20th century - holding territories (independent companies under the governing body of the NWA), not only throughout the US, but internationally abroad. And throughout these territories, talent exchange was a common practice. Each territory had their own champion or set of champions, much like indy companies of today do. And with that, the NWA had it's own set of World Champions (Heavyweight, Tag Team, Women's) that would defend their titles in each territory, night in and night out. The belts were almost "universal" in a sense, as any contender the NWA Board of Directors felt could dethrone a current champion - could they themselves, take over that spot of traveling and representing the company.
Of course, this became a system to become passé, thanks to Vince taking World Wide and turning it into the powerhouse it's become today.
And speaking of today, fast forward to what's happening right now.
Say WWE inc. makes that final bid on Friday (the same day of the work week they purchased WCW 15 1/2yrs ago), and TNA LLC becomes WWE property. With a great roster of talent, that could potentially wind up back in WWE several years later (reference former ECW guys), and with it's own network, WWE could do with the brand what they didn't do with WCW: keep it's doors open. The popular belief is that Vince would hand pick the talent he wants, sign them over to NXT (which would congest the NXT roster, just like the Cruiserweights are doing to the RAW roster presently), achieve the library for the network, and let the company die out. But what if Vince kept it open? Relocating to a smaller studio (similar to NXT/CWC events), changed it up to look more original-based (give it a neon orange or green theme, since Purple is CWC and Yellow is NXT), and hand the reigns over to someone such as Paul Heyman (for example). Triple H, I'm certain, would do a great job revamping TNA. But with RAW, SDL, and NXT on his plate, he wouldn't have the time obviously. But with a good figure head, and a network already in place with keeping costs low... it could become a great asset to the E!
And with WWE's involvement with EVOLVE Wrestling (which after attending E59 in Dallas, I've said it is what ECW would be today), and already having RAW, SDL, NXT, say TNA is kept open, EVOLVE, and maybe opening the door to a working relationship with possibly Sinclair/ROH... and an extension of the "olive branch" towards NJPW... WWE would be in position to operate itself as a governing body, over these sanctions (a new BoD would have to be created, of course, involving heads of Sinclair, ROH, NJPW, and the heads of creative force behind the already existing brands).
And I know it's kind of a joke belt right now, but think about the possibility of the 'Universal' title, for a minute.
(Just before the Invasion angle, I remember telling people that if they keep WCW and ECW alive and separate, they should create a 'universal' championship - specifically using that keyword "universal" - as a title that could float over any of those companies. It's a shame we never got to see something great like that happen, but the potential this time around is def there).
With these various brands, they would be categorized as being within the "WWE Universe"; hence forth, create a set of Universal Tag Team Champions, and a Universal Women's title, then you've got championships that could attain legendary status over time - as they could defended in ANY particular brand at ANY given time! Yes, each organization would still maintain their own independent championship/s.
I don't know about anybody else, but If this is the route WWE went down, eliminated those horse$#!t reality shows in favor of more brands, and they wanted to up the monthly subscription price to 14.99 or even 19.99, I'd gladly pay it!
==
And there's so much more one could add to this type of expansion ....
Like setting up a corporate structure of levels, that would put RAW & SDL at the top as the mega brands, TNA & NJPW just below that as the major brands, EVOLVE & ROH as the 3rd tier brands, and use NXT as that entry level brand that it was originally intended to be. Or elevate NXT, due to it's popularity of becoming a brand in it's own right, and create a new entry level brand..
Or the idea of adding to WrestleMania weekend, and making it a WrestleMania Week, with major events from each brand; think of Axxess and how HUGE it would be. Talk about a soggy, wet dream for just about ANY wrestling fan out there!!
(not impossible, but highly unlikely. what are everyone's thoughts?)
ing booking lately?
