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Post by cordless2016 on Jun 23, 2024 9:45:54 GMT -5
I was born in 1990 and began watching both WWF and WCW full time in 1994. While I watched both shows, I was a bigger WCW fan for sure. I just liked the characters and presentation of WCW more, and as a kid I just didn’t notice how crazy/bad things were getting. It wasn’t until 2000 that as a 10 year old something seemed off, but even knowing what I do now I still love and miss WCW, even the Russo era. I was never a huge ECW fan, but I knew of RVD and he kept some of my interest over there.
When WCW shut down in 2001 I still watched the WWF, but not as much as I had in years prior. When I realized that top names like Goldberg, Sting, Steiner, Flair, and the nWo weren’t going to participate in the Invasion, and that the few guys they did have were being booked like Russo was writing for them (DDP, Booker T), I slowly began to watch less and less. When names like Goldberg, Steiner, and the nWo popped up over the next few years, it peaked my interest, as well watching the “Smackdown Six,” but by 2005/6 my interest was mostly on TNA and I didn’t watch much WWE any longer. I’d keep tabs here and there, but it just didn’t hold my interest. TNA were killing it at times from 2005-2009, but post Bischoff/Hogan arriving I started to watch less and less there as well (though Bobby Roode as champ got me interested in them again for a bit).
I have friends who completely dropped out of the wrestling fandom following WCW going under, so Meltzer is correct when he says that a lot of WCW fans simply turned off the TV and never came back.
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Post by K5 on Jun 23, 2024 12:04:23 GMT -5
my parents didn’t like how coarse the wwf was, so I ended up watching more wcw. loved their product even up until the end, although the booking could be so frustrating
after wcw ended I followed all the mini promotions that popped up - XWF, WWA, until TNA showed up and I started buying the weekly ppvs
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Post by shanieomaniac on Jun 23, 2024 14:49:44 GMT -5
I wanted to get into WCW so much as a teenager, but the fact that Nitro and Raw were on at the same time made that rather difficult due to me always wanting to watch Raw when it aired. And in the hour when they didn't overlap, I had to do all my homework so I could have a chance to watch Raw. I didn't even find out about Thunder until later and was never sure when it was on other than IIRC it was on the same day as Smackdown.
I used the only VCR we had at that time to tape Raw so I could rewatch later, so I couldn't tape WCW either. By the time that we got a second VCR, it was late 2000s, and the few episodes of Nitro I watched, I hated.
Loved Daffney though. Wanted to BE Daffney.
I do remember being shocked when Vince bought it though. I heard that there would be a simulcast and immediately set up both VCRs, one to tape Raw, one to tape Nitro.
Really the bigger shocker for me was when Bischoff showed up on Raw. I literally got up, went to the window, and looked outside to see if it was snowing (and hell had frozen over)
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Post by BSR on Jun 25, 2024 10:41:52 GMT -5
my parents didn’t like how coarse the wwf was, so I ended up watching more wcw. loved their product even up until the end, although the booking could be so frustrating after wcw ended I followed all the mini promotions that popped up - XWF, WWA, until TNA showed up and I started buying the weekly ppvs Those weekly shows were so good though. I'll never forget that time frame. People like to crapon Jeff Jarrett but he gave us some really amazing stories and wrestling when the other guys weren't. |
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Post by BSR on Jun 25, 2024 10:43:00 GMT -5
I wanted to get into WCW so much as a teenager, but the fact that Nitro and Raw were on at the same time made that rather difficult due to me always wanting to watch Raw when it aired. And in the hour when they didn't overlap, I had to do all my homework so I could have a chance to watch Raw. I didn't even find out about Thunder until later and was never sure when it was on other than IIRC it was on the same day as Smackdown. I used the only VCR we had at that time to tape Raw so I could rewatch later, so I couldn't tape WCW either. By the time that we got a second VCR, it was late 2000s, and the few episodes of Nitro I watched, I hated. Loved Daffney though. Wanted to BE Daffney. I do remember being shocked when Vince bought it though. I heard that there would be a simulcast and immediately set up both VCRs, one to tape Raw, one to tape Nitro. Really the bigger shocker for me was when Bischoff showed up on Raw. I literally got up, went to the window, and looked outside to see if it was snowing (and hell had frozen over) They really screwed up letting Eric walk by during a promo. He should've been a complete shock. |
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Post by K5 on Jun 25, 2024 11:10:41 GMT -5
my parents didn’t like how coarse the wwf was, so I ended up watching more wcw. loved their product even up until the end, although the booking could be so frustrating after wcw ended I followed all the mini promotions that popped up - XWF, WWA, until TNA showed up and I started buying the weekly ppvs Those weekly shows were so good though. I'll never forget that time frame. People like to crap on Jeff Jarrett but he gave us some really amazing stories and wrestling when the other guys weren't. ultimate heel boss Jeff Jarrett > ultimate heel boss HHH both were the apex predator, but JJ could work with anyone. |
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Post by BSR on Jun 25, 2024 11:50:48 GMT -5
Those weekly shows were so good though. I'll never forget that time frame. People like to crap on Jeff Jarrett but he gave us some really amazing stories and wrestling when the other guys weren't. ultimate heel boss Jeff Jarrett > ultimate heel boss HHH both were the apex predator, but JJ could work with anyone. Jarrett knew when to put someone over. Hbks lacky did not. |
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Post by ASR (therockisback) on Jun 28, 2024 14:42:58 GMT -5
I was born in 1990 and began watching both WWF and WCW full time in 1994. While I watched both shows, I was a bigger WCW fan for sure. I just liked the characters and presentation of WCW more, and as a kid I just didn’t notice how crazy/bad things were getting. It wasn’t until 2000 that as a 10 year old something seemed off, but even knowing what I do now I still love and miss WCW, even the Russo era. I was never a huge ECW fan, but I knew of RVD and he kept some of my interest over there. When WCW shut down in 2001 I still watched the WWF, but not as much as I had in years prior. When I realized that top names like Goldberg, Sting, Steiner, Flair, and the nWo weren’t going to participate in the Invasion, and that the few guys they did have were being booked like Russo was writing for them (DDP, Booker T), I slowly began to watch less and less. When names like Goldberg, Steiner, and the nWo popped up over the next few years, it peaked my interest, as well watching the “Smackdown Six,” but by 2005/6 my interest was mostly on TNA and I didn’t watch much WWE any longer. I’d keep tabs here and there, but it just didn’t hold my interest. TNA were killing it at times from 2005-2009, but post Bischoff/Hogan arriving I started to watch less and less there as well (though Bobby Roode as champ got me interested in them again for a bit). I have friends who completely dropped out of the wrestling fandom following WCW going under, so Meltzer is correct when he says that a lot of WCW fans simply turned off the TV and never came back. TNA was booming back then. I'd say a lot of the WCW fans would enjoy the business today with WWE becoming booming again since 2023 & parts of 2021/2022. AEW been great at times as well. |
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Post by punksnotdead on Jul 6, 2024 10:56:26 GMT -5
I jumped to WWA and then got into TNA. I was a much bigger TNA fan from 03-09 than I was WWE. But I loved wrestling. So it wasn’t a switch that was turning off. Plus there was stuff I dropped in on with WWE. ONS, and I went to Mania 22 pretty cold not knowing what was going on with weekly tv. I also got pretty into ROH during that stretch.
I think the thing that happened during the MNW, whether consciously or subconsciously, is I became more loyal to wrestlers than I did brands. I loved Raven, so I followed him wherever he jumped. Jericho jumped to WWF? Let’s flip over. I was pretty exclusively a WWF kid until 97. Then all of a sudden it felt like the wrestling world opened up. All these guys were moving around and I wanted to keep up with all my favorites.
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Post by ASR (therockisback) on Jul 7, 2024 1:15:39 GMT -5
I jumped to WWA and then got into TNA. I was a much bigger TNA fan from 03-09 than I was WWE. But I loved wrestling. So it wasn’t a switch that was turning off. Plus there was stuff I dropped in on with WWE. ONS, and I went to Mania 22 pretty cold not knowing what was going on with weekly tv. I also got pretty into ROH during that stretch. I think the thing that happened during the MNW, whether consciously or subconsciously, is I became more loyal to wrestlers than I did brands. I loved Raven, so I followed him wherever he jumped. Jericho jumped to WWF? Let’s flip over. I was pretty exclusively a WWF kid until 97. Then all of a sudden it felt like the wrestling world opened up. All these guys were moving around and I wanted to keep up with all my favorites. TNA at times was out shining WWE tbh. I agree with being loyal to wrestlers, even til this day. I'll still watch TNA for Dolph, Hardyz, Ali etc. I'd watch AEW for Bryan,Jericho,Joe,Edge,Christian etc. |
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Post by BSR on Jul 8, 2024 4:23:10 GMT -5
my parents didn’t like how coarse the wwf was, so I ended up watching more wcw. loved their product even up until the end, although the booking could be so frustrating after wcw ended I followed all the mini promotions that popped up - XWF, WWA, until TNA showed up and I started buying the weekly ppvs Exactly the same scenario. But we've discussed this before. The void left by WCW was never filled. Tna came the closest |
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Ohtimate Wahriah
Main Eventer
WF 10 Year Member
Joined on: Jul 1, 2008 12:35:07 GMT -5
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Post by Ohtimate Wahriah on Jul 31, 2024 3:22:39 GMT -5
I enjoyed TNA as well. I actually just bought impact plus last week & been watching the old weekly PPV’s. They definitely had their moment where they were making some noise.
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Post by ASR (therockisback) on Aug 4, 2024 9:17:07 GMT -5
I enjoyed TNA as well. I actually just bought impact plus last week & been watching the old weekly PPV’s. They definitely had their moment where they were making some noise. 2005-2009 was amazing for TNA. It felt like something special. |
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Ohtimate Wahriah
Main Eventer
WF 10 Year Member
Joined on: Jul 1, 2008 12:35:07 GMT -5
Posts: 2,627
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Post by Ohtimate Wahriah on Aug 7, 2024 13:28:27 GMT -5
I enjoyed TNA as well. I actually just bought impact plus last week & been watching the old weekly PPV’s. They definitely had their moment where they were making some noise. 2005-2009 was amazing for TNA. It felt like something special. I totally agree. There was a time where me and my brothers looked forward to the PPV’s and would buy them over the WWE ones. I remember when they signed Hogan & Bischoff we really thought that was going to take them into the next level but the second they came in and the Nasty Boys were on my TV I was like, uh oh. Haha. They never really recovered from that. |
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Post by OTC Waxbender on Aug 7, 2024 13:53:02 GMT -5
2005-2009 was amazing for TNA. It felt like something special. I totally agree. There was a time where me and my brothers looked forward to the PPV’s and would buy them over the WWE ones. I remember when they signed Hogan & Bischoff we really thought that was going to take them into the next level but the second they came in and the Nasty Boys were on my TV I was like, uh oh. Haha. They never really recovered from that. The Lethal Lockdown matches, Monsters Ball matches, KotM matches and the Ultimate X matches mixed with the level of new raw talent they had and their one of a kind ring was like lightning in a bottle. Wish they made better choices and were still at such a high level but thats hindsight I guess. Heard they might have a TV deal coming/in the works but I havent kept up with TNA in a long time. |
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Post by ASR (therockisback) on Aug 7, 2024 15:21:53 GMT -5
2005-2009 was amazing for TNA. It felt like something special. I totally agree. There was a time where me and my brothers looked forward to the PPV’s and would buy them over the WWE ones. I remember when they signed Hogan & Bischoff we really thought that was going to take them into the next level but the second they came in and the Nasty Boys were on my TV I was like, uh oh. Haha. They never really recovered from that. Everyone loved it back then brother. TNA was amazing and they should have kept it going but oh well. Nowadays they doing fine as well. |
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HeelPiper
Superstar
Joined on: Nov 11, 2019 17:04:10 GMT -5
Posts: 667
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Post by HeelPiper on Aug 7, 2024 16:18:18 GMT -5
Ahh 2001 when WWE fans were MUCH less condescending and antagonistic towards the rest of the industry. I enjoyed parts of Raw, WCW, and ECW was my "home" promotion. I wasn't into every last match/angle in WWF and WCW, but it didn't bother me, I watched them on their terms, and didn't whine about what wasn't targeted at me.
Now we love in the era of the anti-smark, the fool that doesn't grasp that entertainment much like art, is in fact subjective. He hates whatever the audience outside of the WWE bubble likes, though ironically he claps like a deal when the same presentation shows up in his dubya dubya E.
Most WWE fans are casuals who are just having a really good time cheering and booing the talent, I adore their enthusiasm. The terminally online WWE fan is the worst.
WCW fans especially during the Crockett era, largely loved more gritty/realistic wrestlers, and wasn't turned away by the blood bath. Those were great fans.
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Post by TheSystem 1.5 on Aug 8, 2024 4:33:36 GMT -5
I think a lot more fans watched both programs at the time. I know I flipped back and forth between Raw and Nitro back then. However, in 2000, and 2001 especially, WCW was really hard to watch. By that time, I was already watching Raw more than Nitro. I imagine a lot of fans just continued watching WWF. If they were just WCW fans, I could see them tuning into Raw and Smackdown that first year during the NWO invasion storyline, but when it was becoming clear that the biggest stars were not going to be coming (Hogan, Hall, Nash, Steiner, Goldberg, Sting, Macho, etc.) I think a lot of hardcore WCW fans just stopped watching wrestling all together, or they moved on to another company like TNA. Part of me wishes we got a true invasion with those big names but part of me is glad we didn't since WWF at the time was more keen on burying them instead of treating them like stars i.e. DDP and Booker T 😁 forum.wrestlingfigs.com/thread/337803/2001-wrestling-odyssey-summerslam-01 |
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Post by TKO Propagandist on Aug 10, 2024 2:45:25 GMT -5
In his newsletter roughly 2 years after WCW shut down, Dave Meltzer said many of them stopped watching wrestling and never came back. The WWF/E sealed their own fate buying WCW and the piss poor product since 2009 is a result. I think the craziest part about this new info (to me) is that people actually subscribed to a Meltzer newsletter Enough to net him 150k+ dollars a year so yeah |
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Post by Back to the Codyverse on Aug 10, 2024 2:49:03 GMT -5
I think the craziest part about this new info (to me) is that people actually subscribed to a Meltzer newsletter Enough to net him 150k+ dollars a year so yeah Proof that wrestling fans really are stupid. |
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