WWE Netflix/Peacock/ESPN Discussion Thread

[SmashMan]

Re: WWE Network Discussion Thread

As we know, Talking Smack was cancelled as a weekly show. Talking Smack will continue to air following every SD Live PPV. The reason it was cancelled.... Mr. Out of Touch Himself, Vince McMahon. Vince hated the unscripted nature of the show and felt it wasn't in the company's best interest.

Of course, Vince loves his scripts so much he doesn't want anyone to dare go off script!

The article you're referencing doesn't use the word "hated". It says "McMahon was unhappy with the show" without actually stating that it's the sole reason for cancellation. The furthest it goes is saying "The unscripted nature of the show ultimately played a role in its removal".
Saying it played a role indicates there are other reasons in play here too. I'd bet viewership also played a role - remember the Raw and Smackdown Preshows and 'Backstage Pass' post-shows that existed once? Talking Smack was the best of the bunch, but I don't think enough people watch these extra shows in general.

I mean, I don't want to do FAKE NEWS with wrestling, but the SI story doesn't draw the conclusion between unscripted and cancellation as definitively as you're presenting here.

[Brother Love]

Re: WWE Network Discussion Thread

The article you're referencing doesn't use the word "hated". It says "McMahon was unhappy with the show" without actually stating that it's the sole reason for cancellation. The furthest it goes is saying "The unscripted nature of the show ultimately played a role in its removal".

Saying it played a role indicates there are other reasons in play here too. I'd bet viewership also played a role - remember the Raw and Smackdown Preshows and 'Backstage Pass' post-shows that existed once? Talking Smack was the best of the bunch, but I don't think enough people watch these extra shows in general.



I mean, I don't want to do FAKE NEWS with wrestling, but the SI story doesn't draw the conclusion between unscripted and cancellation as definitively as you're presenting here.

You can never miss an opportunity to criticize the man who has made an entire fortune based on his decisions regarding wrestling and the business of wrestling.


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[UFCMPunk]

Re: WWE Network Discussion Thread

The article you're referencing doesn't use the word "hated". It says "McMahon was unhappy with the show" without actually stating that it's the sole reason for cancellation. The furthest it goes is saying "The unscripted nature of the show ultimately played a role in its removal".
Saying it played a role indicates there are other reasons in play here too. I'd bet viewership also played a role - remember the Raw and Smackdown Preshows and 'Backstage Pass' post-shows that existed once? Talking Smack was the best of the bunch, but I don't think enough people watch these extra shows in general.

I mean, I don't want to do FAKE NEWS with wrestling, but the SI story doesn't draw the conclusion between unscripted and cancellation as definitively as you're presenting here.

I exaggerated a bit but still point being is he is so stuck on scripts he doesn't realize how always making sure things go by a script is killing the WWE. Want to know why characters are so bland, forced to stick to a stupid script.

[redsox4evur]

Re: WWE Network Discussion Thread

That SI story literally reads as nothing to me. Sure the unscripted part probably played a small role in it, but the viewership was definitely the main point. If the viewership was steady weekly, it wouldn't have been bumped from the 10pm hour when 205Live debuted. Also if the viewership was **** after PPVs the show would've been cancelled all together. And the show is unscripted after PPVs, so if Vince was really pissed about that, he would've fully canceled Talking Smack and Raw Talk. So tldr the unscripted stuff is a crock, IMO. It's just people trying to say Vince is out of touch with what fans want,


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[SmashMan]

Re: WWE Network Discussion Thread

I exaggerated a bit but still point being is he is so stuck on scripts he doesn't realize how always making sure things go by a script is killing the WWE. Want to know why characters are so bland, forced to stick to a stupid script.

Right. This is a topic that has been endlessly debated here, and I think we're all in agreement that less scripting would be 100x better.

So tldr the unscripted stuff is a crock, IMO. It's just people trying to say Vince is out of touch with what fans want.

I wouldn't say it's a crock. I trust SI has actual sources and they're not just making things up, and that Talking Smack being unscripted played a role in its cancellation as a weekly show.

That said, the article is written in a way that plays to a narrative, so it's easy for people to draw direct links to confirm their beliefs even if it's not exactly what the actual article said.



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[King_B_Mack]

Re: WWE Network Discussion Thread

Vince is out of touch with what fans want, so they don't have to try very hard in that regard.


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[UFCMPunk]

Re: WWE Network Discussion Thread

Anyone upset over Unfiltered with Renee Young being cancelled? I felt the show was good but much like Legends with JBL needed to be an hour long. I still can't seem to figure out why Legends was cancelled, there are so many more legends out there for JBL to interview, it just seems strange to end it with many more guests out there.

[Mercury112491]

Re: WWE Network Discussion Thread

I def watched a lot less once 205 Live started.

I also watch after every PPV since it just comes on after the PPV is over. If it was on USA after Smackdown I guarantee I'd watch every week.


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[DJ]

Re: WWE Network Discussion Thread

What I found interesting in the SI article is that Vince - by design - doesn't attend every TV taping. Not sure how many shows he doesn't travel to, but it's still a little surprising to read, as Vince for decades was at every TV show, even when injured.

[Brother Love]

Re: WWE Network Discussion Thread

What I found interesting in the SI article is that Vince - by design - doesn't attend every TV taping. Not sure how many shows he doesn't travel to, but it's still a little surprising to read, as Vince for decades was at every TV show, even when injured.

Age is a B


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[TheShizNo1]

Re: WWE Network Discussion Thread

Never watched Talking Smack. That being said, I know this sounds dumb, I don't think the viewership numbers tell the tale. I remember you guys hyping Miz up on one of the very first ones. I found a YouTube clip or something and instantly loved The Miz again. It surveys a purpose for me if you guys talked about it. I know this forum is a small portion, I just think TS has its place and someone smarter than me can argue this, but it's not like they were losing money.

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[SmashMan]

Re: WWE Network Discussion Thread

I just think TS has its place and someone smarter than me can argue this, but it's not like they were losing money.

It definitely has a place, but they do seem to be cutting back on these types of interview style shows on the Network for whatever reason. Raw/SD Pre-shows gone, JBL's Legends thing, Renee's Unfiltered, various live podcast interviews, didn't Corey Graves have a show? Bring It to the Table would probably be gone too, unless they think Rosenberg gives them some kind of crossover audience appeal?

The focus right now as far as original stuff just seems to be on Ride Along, Table for 3, and the periodic WWE 24 episodes.


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[Mercury112491]

Re: WWE Network Discussion Thread

I honestly have no idea when Rosenberg sleeps. He's on Hot 97 in the morning. ESPN NY in the afternoons. He does the WWE thing and then he's got his own Wrestling podcast.


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[chronoxiong]

Re: WWE Network Discussion Thread

So no more Smackdown threads right? Just wanted to make sure because it's been missing for two straight weeks.

[Mercury112491]

Re: WWE Network Discussion Thread

So no more Smackdown threads right? Just wanted to make sure because it's been missing for two straight weeks.

No one has made one. They'll come back when someone decides to make one again.


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