WWE might be killing itself by a thousand cuts with how they treat their talent. I don't know enough about the finances associated with AEW & social media income v. WWE income, but based on anecdotal stories about social media starts earnings, I won't be surprised if talent starts making more money by leaving WWE. Or at least close enough to make the loss from leaving worthwhile after factoring in quality of life.
I think my biggest issue with the WWE and how they treat their talent, is they want to control them like employees but provide benefits like they are contractors.
It certainly does look and feel that way. And I find it rather incredible that they haven't been court ordered to treat them like employees. Maybe there's exceptions for artists / performers.
I'm fairly certain that most of the talent could make more via social media stuff then their WWE contracts when you figure in they have to pay for their own travel, lodging, etc. I thought I heard AEW covers all of those expenses cause they treat the talent like their football team and not trash. Like probably the top 15-20% of WWE guys make solid money, but the Zelinas and Paiges of the world? They could make way more through Twitch/Patreon. I mean look at some of those twitch thoughts who don't have personalities raking in 50-100k a month not even gaming, and then realize that these WWE women can actually talk and fans want to interact with these people. I hope Zelina does great, and I expect her to turn up in AEW or Impact, I think AEW scooping her up just for the promotion of AEW Games would be fantastic.
The need for growth and profits will never go away, and the money that the wrestlers are making off the WWE's IP is money the share holders are losing. When you can't make more money from TV, from house shows, and from Saudi's, you turn over every stone. Add in a pandemic which has killed live gates, WWE's options to keep profits growing are limited. There are only so many job cuts they can make.
I saw that trending on Twitter before which seemed a bit weird, so checked it out.Poor Drew Mcinfart.
I can't for the life of me understand why, but somehow Sheamus' vocal criticism of Riddle is somehow making me agree with Sheamus, and start to like Riddle at the same time.
We're back on Tuesday nights! #NWAShockwave, our new limited series, presents NWA matches produced in conjunction with the United Wrestling Network. Matches never before seen on YouTube!
Tonight:
Eli Drake vs Jordan Cruz
Kamille vs Heather Monroe
NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis vs Mike Bennett
They'd only be TNA if they bring Orlando Jordan & Val Venis in.AEW really is TNA
I haven't watched last night yet. Will tonight, but have read spoilers.
WTF is AEW doing? They crowned a new champ on TV, which I think was a really good and smart move. But why would they bring Sting in for that particular show? I thought he was great in the 90's, think he could still have a place with a limited role, and think bringing him in is a positive thing. I just can't fathom why they wouldn't save that for a show when the top title does not change hands.
And cross promotion stuff with Impact? Are they kidding now? Did they buy it for some reason? Why would they cross promote their rising star of a show with that albatross. No offense to anyone who loves Impact, but if impact was not a train wreck there would be no such thing as AEW.
Nice to see other people talking about impact besides me. Even if in a negative fashion lol. It makes sense to me. Impact is the only na based promotion with any sort of worthwhile roster besides the e of course. Their women's division alone is far superior to aews. I wouldn't be suprised to see impact folded into aew someday. They have an extremely valuable tape library.
AEW trying to make a wrestling version of the avengers
Take a few NWA guys some ROH TNA NJPW.
who is the big bad WWE
yeah. Gonna be lit
yeah I know it's impossible. But it's still real to me dammit
I'd be curious to know if you've actually watched the program in years. Their women's division alone is superior to AEWS. Do you deny this? Swann, Gallows, Anderson, Eddie Edwards, Chris Bey, Callihan, Willie Mack, Moose, Motor City Machineguns, Eric Young, The North. On top of the aforementioned superior women's division. Not sure how all that could do nothing for you.Really only interesting name is Anderson and Gallows and thats because of the Bullet Club association.
IMPACT just has negative value at this point. And there show is sad. Its worse than no crowd NXT.
Kenny appearing there just makes AEW look low rent. Imagine your champ wins the title and his first appearance is on a no name channel for a company with no viewers in a cheap dinky no crowd show.
Not sure why anyone is cool with this. Its like going from a super hottie to Elliot Page and acting like its some huge step up.