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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2019 11:04:50 GMT -5
I remember being so excited when Hasbro announced WWF figures via this ad:  The first two figures my mother bought for me were Hulk Hogan and Ax. From an independent toystore in Lichfield. Looking back, action figures gave me hours of fun, but being solid plastic, with limited manoeuvrability, was a tad frustrating. Had the Mattel figures been around them, I could have had even more hours of fun. Wrestling aside, a lot of toys were like that. I had some "Muscle Men" which were small, solid plastic - and had no manoeuvrability. Remember the Hasbro ads on the WWF's syndicated shows? Sadly, I don't recall them ... they must be in the mid 80's and I did not watch much wrestling back then. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2019 11:13:07 GMT -5
The Hasbro figures came out around 1990 (I think 1991 was the year they reached the UK).
Cody, love those Japanese wrestling figures!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2019 13:05:53 GMT -5
The Shield going to AEW Dean Ambrose is already at AEW and a dear friend of mine thinks that Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins are fed up with WWE and thinking of jumping ship to AEW next year pending on Contractual Objections and Cody Rhodes of AEW is welcoming them and what I heard that Vince McMahon is on a breaking point on Smackdown and he did not like the Script being put out recently and looks like a possibility of Writer's Strike basically aiming at Smackdown and if that happen ... looks like Smackdown might be cancelled for the time being. I don't know whether it is true or not; but Smackdown's future is not so bright anymore and knowing that many WWE fans are getting more and more upset about it. I know that this is all speculations and lot of my friends told me that Smackdown is all junk programming and another problem seems to catch on that Bobby Lashley is being treated for injuries and he'll demands his release from WWE and thinking of bolting to AEW. Another potential leave is Samoa Joe this is one wrestler is not being treated well at WWE. My friend indicated that both Matt and Jeff Hardy is thinking of leaving WWE. Right now, looks like WWE will probably lose around 10-15 wrestlers from both Raw and Smackdown roster by the end of 2020.
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Post by codystarbuck on Aug 7, 2019 15:38:24 GMT -5
The Shield going to AEWDean Ambrose is already at AEW and a dear friend of mine thinks that Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins are fed up with WWE and thinking of jumping ship to AEW next year pending on Contractual Objections and Cody Rhodes of AEW is welcoming them and what I heard that Vince McMahon is on a breaking point on Smackdown and he did not like the Script being put out recently and looks like a possibility of Writer's Strike basically aiming at Smackdown and if that happen ... looks like Smackdown might be cancelled for the time being. I don't know whether it is true or not; but Smackdown's future is not so bright anymore and knowing that many WWE fans are getting more and more upset about it. I know that this is all speculations and lot of my friends told me that Smackdown is all junk programming and another problem seems to catch on that Bobby Lashley is being treated for injuries and he'll demands his release from WWE and thinking of bolting to AEW. Another potential leave is Samoa Joe this is one wrestler is not being treated well at WWE. My friend indicated that both Matt and Jeff Hardy is thinking of leaving WWE. Right now, looks like WWE will probably lose around 10-15 wrestlers from both Raw and Smackdown roster by the end of 2020. Uh...that sounds like some wild gossip that is taken too seriously. This was yesterday's update at the Wrestling Observer site. When it comes to wrestling news, the Observer is one of the few reliable sources (and usually the one that everyone else rips off and gets wrong or wildly out of context). Reins is publicly disagreeing with Ambrose' comments and backing the WWE; which means he isn't going anywhere, either by desire or contractual obligations. Fox in't dumping Smackdown. Vince tearing up a format and demanding a rewrite isn't unknown. A writers strike, without an industry strike is unlikely, as it would be a contractual violation. Now, whether or not the show is dismal is in the eye of the beholder and I haven't beheld it in years; so, no comment there. However, like discussions about Marvel movies, what often gets left out of these kinds of conversations is that the bulk of the audience are casual viewers, not die-hard fans. Die-hards will argue and criticize; casuals wil watch or turn the channel. the masses carry the program and as long as they are pleased it will continue, no matter what die-hards think. It's the reason why Superman still sold, while the fan community hated it, in the 1970s. The mass audience was fine with it. The fan audience really only becomes a factor when the medium is ghettoized into a fan-driven market, as comics have. Wrestling is not in a boom period, which means the casual audience is way down; but, the WWE is far from threatened, monetarily, as merchandise and other streams make them profitable. That carries more than gripes. AEW hasn't proven anything, other than tickets for a live event and a PPV, with numbers that are not much different than the best of TNA. Wrestling fans keep hoping for a new WCW to arise; but, none has lasted because the money marks are only willing to lose so much money before dumping the thing. meanwhile, the "alternatives" have presented WWE-Lite, not a real alternative. Lucha Underground has come closests; but, it is on a limited channel, not a mass network and is being aimed at a smaller audience. it also isn't really anything more than a tv production. AEW has a great money mark, on paper; but, so did TNA. Until they present themselves as a real alternative, that captures a wider audience, they are barely a step above Ring of Honor. That's not saying they are doomed; just that they haven't shown a reason for anyone to care, yet, beyond initial curiosity. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2019 16:31:25 GMT -5
The Shield going to AEWDean Ambrose is already at AEW and a dear friend of mine thinks that Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins are fed up with WWE and thinking of jumping ship to AEW next year pending on Contractual Objections and Cody Rhodes of AEW is welcoming them and what I heard that Vince McMahon is on a breaking point on Smackdown and he did not like the Script being put out recently and looks like a possibility of Writer's Strike basically aiming at Smackdown and if that happen ... looks like Smackdown might be cancelled for the time being. I don't know whether it is true or not; but Smackdown's future is not so bright anymore and knowing that many WWE fans are getting more and more upset about it. I know that this is all speculations and lot of my friends told me that Smackdown is all junk programming and another problem seems to catch on that Bobby Lashley is being treated for injuries and he'll demands his release from WWE and thinking of bolting to AEW. Another potential leave is Samoa Joe this is one wrestler is not being treated well at WWE. My friend indicated that both Matt and Jeff Hardy is thinking of leaving WWE. Right now, looks like WWE will probably lose around 10-15 wrestlers from both Raw and Smackdown roster by the end of 2020. Uh...that sounds like some wild gossip that is taken too seriously. This was yesterday's update at the Wrestling Observer site. When it comes to wrestling news, the Observer is one of the few reliable sources (and usually the one that everyone else rips off and gets wrong or wildly out of context). Reins is publicly disagreeing with Ambrose' comments and backing the WWE; which means he isn't going anywhere, either by desire or contractual obligations. Fox in't dumping Smackdown. Vince tearing up a format and demanding a rewrite isn't unknown. A writers strike, without an industry strike is unlikely, as it would be a contractual violation.Now, whether or not the show is dismal is in the eye of the beholder and I haven't beheld it in years; so, no comment there. However, like discussions about Marvel movies, what often gets left out of these kinds of conversations is that the bulk of the audience are casual viewers, not die-hard fans. Die-hards will argue and criticize; casuals wil watch or turn the channel. the masses carry the program and as long as they are pleased it will continue, no matter what die-hards think. It's the reason why Superman still sold, while the fan community hated it, in the 1970s. The mass audience was fine with it. The fan audience really only becomes a factor when the medium is ghettoized into a fan-driven market, as comics have. Wrestling is not in a boom period, which means the casual audience is way down; but, the WWE is far from threatened, monetarily, as merchandise and other streams make them profitable. That carries more than gripes. AEW hasn't proven anything, other than tickets for a live event and a PPV, with numbers that are not much different than the best of TNA. Wrestling fans keep hoping for a new WCW to arise; but, none has lasted because the money marks are only willing to lose so much money before dumping the thing. meanwhile, the "alternatives" have presented WWE-Lite, not a real alternative. Lucha Underground has come closests; but, it is on a limited channel, not a mass network and is being aimed at a smaller audience. it also isn't really anything more than a tv production. AEW has a great money mark, on paper; but, so did TNA. Until they present themselves as a real alternative, that captures a wider audience, they are barely a step above Ring of Honor. That's not saying they are doomed; just that they haven't shown a reason for anyone to care, yet, beyond initial curiosity. To be honest here, I watch parts of Smackdown about 20-30 minutes to check it out and the script of that show is pretty poor in my opinion here. The part of what bold is new to me and this is the first time I heard about it and knowing you ... it's right on the money and I'm applauding that for that reason alone. I think that in time ... in my opinion that AEW will get better and better and will continue to do so. I'm optimistic about AEW and I was told that TNA Impact is getting better too and I'm a fan of Ring of Honor and I just don't care for Lucha Underground at all. In my own speculation that the writers that write Smackdown will eventually will quit writing for Vince and that will probably will happen over the course of the next year or two. I predict in the future that one of the three WWE shows ... Raw, Smackdown, and NXT will die. My safe bet is Smackdown and think that Smackdown will be canceled in 2-3 years from now and looks like Monday Night Raw will have to take account of and eventually about one half of the Combined Raw and Smackdown Personnel will be out of the Job and those wrestlers will be snapped up by TNA Impact and/or All Elite Wrestling and that alone will spell trouble for Vince McMahon and he'll have two WCW's on his hands. It will be a nightmare for Vince and the shareholders of WWE. I'm hope that I'm right and Vince will have competition again and that will break the monopoly that WWE had so long. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2019 16:35:31 GMT -5
I do read Wrestling Observer on a weekly basis and others as well and You Tube Videos that promotes professional wrestling on a regular basis. I consider Wrestling Observer is top notch website alone.
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Post by codystarbuck on Aug 7, 2019 18:12:27 GMT -5
I don't see Smackdown disappearing; definitely not in 2 or 3 years. It draws too much advertising revenue and Vince knows how to produce tv. As long as the demographics hold up, the network will want to continue the relationship. USA stuck by them in very bad years because they pulled in advertising and consistent, if not great ratings. Same with WCW, until Warner was looking to unload money drains, after the costly AOL merger. They were wanting more upscale advertising and dumped most of Turner's material.
Nothing wrong with being optimistic about AEW; but, a lot of what I read and hear is the same kind of thing I heard with TNA. TNA stuck it out longer than predicted; but, went under when the mark was tired of funding it. AEW has a ton of potential; but, that's also what people thought with Ring of Honor, when Sinclair broadcasting bought them. The question is, can AEW realize their potential? I hope so, as real competition would benefit the wrestlers and would help light a fire under Vince to improve his own product. That's usually what it took, before and competition always brought out the best in the WWE and Vince.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2019 18:38:16 GMT -5
Nothing wrong with being optimistic about AEW; but, a lot of what I read and hear is the same kind of thing I heard with TNA. TNA stuck it out longer than predicted; but, went under when the mark was tired of funding it. AEW has a ton of potential; but, that's also what people thought with Ring of Honor, when Sinclair broadcasting bought them. The question is, can AEW realize their potential? I hope so, as real competition would benefit the wrestlers and would help light a fire under Vince to improve his own product. That's usually what it took, before and competition always brought out the best in the WWE and Vince. I liked this post here and thanks for being optimistic about AEW. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2019 5:02:26 GMT -5
I subscribe to the Wrestling Observer. I like Meltzer's historical context. Things I never know (e.g. about AAA) crop up regularly in his newsletters. He can provide context like no-one else. It's a shame there are "cut and paste" sites out there. I don't believe we'll ever see a modern equivalent of the "Monday Night Wars". They happened due to specific occurrences in history. Plus, it got personal, what with Bischoff giving away Raw results and the like. I don't think we'll ever see competition like that again. Returning to action figures, while the Hasbro WWF figures had limited mobility, at least there was some manoeuvrability. And they had a finishing move. WCW's figures (Galoob) were solid plastic. No manoeuvrability at all. Even in the action figure realm, WCW was second best!  |
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Post by codystarbuck on Aug 8, 2019 11:26:10 GMT -5
I subscribe to the Wrestling Observer. I like Meltzer's historical context. Things I never know (e.g. about AAA) crop up regularly in his newsletters. He can provide context like no-one else. It's a shame there are "cut and paste" sites out there. I don't believe we'll ever see a modern equivalent of the "Monday Night Wars". They happened due to specific occurrences in history. Plus, it got personal, what with Bischoff giving away Raw results and the like. I don't think we'll ever see competition like that again. Returning to action figures, while the Hasbro WWF figures had limited mobility, at least there was some manoeuvrability. And they had a finishing move. WCW's figures (Galoob) were solid plastic. No manoeuvrability at all. Even in the action figure realm, WCW was second best! Wait, when did Ron Simmons ever work in street clothes, outside of a street fight match? Man, WCW was asleep at the wheel in those days (well, most of their existence, really). Zenk and El Gigante definitely did not deserve figures. I suppose it could have been worse; we could have gotten a 4 Horsemen set, with Paul Roma. The WWF's LJN figures didn't have any articulation, either, which is probably the concept that Galoob used with WCW. Really, these were more in the realm of the Starting Lineup toys, with Major League Baseball players, that were marketed as much as sports collectibles for adult fans as children's toys. So, likeness was probably a stronger desire than playability. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2019 12:32:46 GMT -5
It seemed WCW couldn't get a lot right during its existence, whether it was Halloween Havoc 1998 cutting off during the main event, the lack of a videotape licensee in the UK or many, many things.
Then there's Davey Boy Smith...
Between 1994 and 2000, WCW didn't tour the UK (the WWF has had many UK tours during its existence). Other than tape trading, all we got was one hour of Nitro in the late 90s. You would think some brain surgeon in WCW might have thought about touring the UK when Davey Boy Smith signed. I mean, it was a no-brainer, right?
They could have had a non-title match between Davey Boy Smith and Hollywood Hulk Hogan (I accept they wouldn't have given Davey Boy a world title run). Davey Boy debuted with WCW around 1998, right? The NWO angle was still hot. Hogan was still semi-popular even though his popularity had waned. WCW's brain surgeons could have done a UK tour, culminating in a Davey Boy/Hogan match (those two never fought).
But they didn't tour.
And why didn't they do some sort of Canadian tour when Bret Hart signed with them? Did WCW ever once visit Canada? Bret Hart had so much momentum when he joined WCW. They could have marketed a mini-tour around his presence.
The WWF knew how to do hype - and still does. Remember the "WrestleMania Revenge Tour" of 1994? Glorified house shows, really, but it was marketed a certain way. And it worked. I cannot believe ONE person in WCW didn't think to market a mini-Canadian tour for Bret or a UK tour built around a Davey Boy/Hogan match.
They really were clueless at times. No wonder they ended up as part of the WWE video library.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2019 12:42:51 GMT -5
WCW was clueless and did not exploit and did nothing with Bret Hart and the British Bulldog. WCW wasted them period.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2019 12:46:30 GMT -5
The late 90s was painful for this Brit. WCW Worldwide had been cancelled around 1995/96 (debuting in '92). The only programme we could see was Nitro. To see PPVs, I was reliant on tape traders.
And when two of my favourites, Bret and Davey Boy Smith, debut, they do next-to-nothing with them.
Also, how did they screw up War Games at Fall Brawl '98? Were there even any teams in that match? I just remember a lot of wrestlers aimlessly beating on each other to get a world title shot. How do you screw up your own concept?
A complete joke!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2019 15:06:54 GMT -5
The late 90s was painful for this Brit. WCW Worldwide had been cancelled around 1995/96 (debuting in '92). The only programme we could see was Nitro. To see PPVs, I was reliant on tape traders. And when two of my favourites, Bret and Davey Boy Smith, debut, they do next-to-nothing with them. Also, how did they screw up War Games at Fall Brawl '98? Were there even any teams in that match? I just remember a lot of wrestlers aimlessly beating on each other to get a world title shot. How do you screw up your own concept? A complete joke! Fall Brawl 98 was one of the worst PPV that I've seen. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2019 15:08:26 GMT -5
Question
Your view of NWO during the WCW days?
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