More International Tournaments Coming

[Jack-Hammer]

An interesting little tidbit from the WON says that WWE is planning more international tournaments and the crowning of new champions. According to the report, WWE plans to crown a WWE Asian Champion and WWE Latin American Champion. The report doesn't say when these tourneys will go down, but one would think the plan was for them to happen this year. It also doesn't say anything regarding a weekly TV show to be taped in these regions but that's probably part of the plan as well.

Now some of us are going to say that this is too much content and they don't have time to watch. That's all well and good but these tourneys aren't exactly geared towards fans in North America. Obviously, a UK tourney is meant to primarily appeal to UK fans and as a means of increasing the span of the company and, of course, network subscriptions and that'll probably be the same with the reported Asian & Latin America expansion. A lot of Asian countries are wide open in terms of potential customers, China especially as I think there's currently only one wrestling company in existence over there and it's small time.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Yeah, I'm not interested. The CWC seemed to take forever to kick into gear, I'm not expecting much from the British tournament, we've not long come of two tag tournaments on Smackdown and NXT and I believe there's a Women's one soon.

Also take into consideration that they're lazy with their main brand I can't see an Asian division getting the care and attention it would need.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

Professional wrestling is the new tobacco industry. Americans figured out it was bad for you so better change course and make up the revenue by selling it to dumb foreigners.

I hope this is well received and makes WWE and a lot of people a lot of money but I'm still waiting for president elect Trump to Tweet about WWE shipping jobs overseas.

But this does not interest me as it is not for me.

 

[Psykohurricane55]

I know that the wwe network is mostly geared toward the IWC fans and indy's wrestling fans since most of the wrestoing related programming seem to go toward those fans but I always said that it's not something that will attract casual fans to the network. Those tournament are really great for those that follow the indy scene but outside of that, it really serve what purpose.

I know that HHH is a big fans of this strategy because of the success of NXT but they already most of us fans sign up anyway so having tournaments for the sake of tournaments won't attract more people to the network.

I for one wasn't a huge fan of the cwc since most of the matches we're really boring and with the exception of maybe 3 or 4 matches, nothing felt special. The british tournament seem to be going in the same direction and I would have rather seen another old rumble show on the network next sunday then this tournament that probably will mean nothing in a month or two.

 

[johnbragg]

I know that the wwe network is mostly geared toward the IWC fans and indy's wrestling fans since most of the wrestoing related programming seem to go toward those fans but I always said that it's not something that will attract casual fans to the network. Those tournament are really great for those that follow the indy scene but outside of that, it really serve what purpose.

I have a suspicion that what your saying is NOT their international strategy What you say is true about NXT and the CWC, 205 Live, Talking Smack, etc.

But I think that the plan for WWE UK is not just to have the one-hour show on the Network. I think it only makes sense if you can get that product on British TV. That's where you start creating new fans.

know that HHH is a big fans of this strategy because of the success of NXT but they already most of us fans sign up anyway so having tournaments for the sake of tournaments won't attract more people to the network.

I don't think the international tournaments are meant as just more goodies for the diehards. I think they're tools to market WWE in non-North American markets. Even if it means going back to the 1980s model of paying for TV timeslots to promote live events/PPV/WWE Network.

this tournament that probably will mean nothing in a month or two.

The UK tournament is apparently supposed to kick off a WWE UK weekly show. Network exclusive for now, but I don't think the plan is to keep it that way.

 

[rmp0012002]

I think the WWE is just working to grow the brand but also to find new or steal away talent already in these areas. The CWC has kind of become the new midgets. It's something different but not pushed as WCW or ECW pushed the smaller wrestlers.

 

[Dave]

Not surprising really. I'm really looking forward to the future for WWE in the UK following the UK Championship Tournament. Fans in the UK are looking for more from the WWE and this is one of the ways that were going to get it. Wrestling in the UK is taking off and the WWE will be a welcome addition to it. I really hope that it shines a light on companies like ICW, who are doing amazing work in the UK right now and, almost single handedly, giving new life to the wrestling scene on this side of the pond.

I'm not really interested in watching an Indian wrestling program because it isn't catered towards me. This is the WWE's expansion plan and, if they are smart, they will try and cater the shows towards those that they are trying to entice with it. British wrestling is unlike American wrestling and I'm hoping the WWE have the sense to see that.

Regardless, it's about time the wrestling business gets a shot in the arm and that's what's happening. People talk about Vince holding a monopoly but who cares? I'm a wrestling fan first and foremost. Give me wrestling and let me decide whether I like it or not.

 

[stingray11214]

Where are they going to do all these tournaments? Sure, they are doing the UK. Will they do Germany? South Africa? They are NOT going to do Japan. It will take eons and tens of millions of dollars to do a lot of these tourneys. WWE is going to have to sit down and ask themselves what direction they are going into, because it seems like Kenny Omega is right that WWE is signing people just to sign people. Pete Dunne is an option. Wolfgang is as well. But, what are they going to do with them? Eventually, it will blow up in their face.

 

[Psykohurricane55]

That's kinda of the problems with all theses tournament they want to do, yes you are signing these guys to contract for what purpose outside of doing country only show. It'S not like any of these guys in the british tournament for exemple will come and work on the main roster after worth and even if they do, nobody will cares really because outside the fans in the UK and fans the follow the u.s. scene, nobody will cares about them. On the main roster, they are pretty much at the same level as the cruiserweight division and it's going to be the same thing for every country they want to do a tournament for.

I read and except from an interview that HHH did. When asked if he was interested about Kenny omega he said '' that he'S interested in any wrestlers that has talents, if the guy as talent he's interested''. Which mean pretty much that in HHH dream WWE, HE would pretty much have all the great indy guys under contract which is a problem when you are already over saturated with wrestlers as it is. I think they really should slow down and concentrate on the guys they have right now instead of pilling on Wrestlers that they're only purpose is to please the selected market they want to control.

 

[Dave]

Where are they going to do all these tournaments? Sure, they are doing the UK. Will they do Germany? South Africa? They are NOT going to do Japan. It will take eons and tens of millions of dollars to do a lot of these tourneys. WWE is going to have to sit down and ask themselves what direction they are going into, because it seems like Kenny Omega is right that WWE is signing people just to sign people. Pete Dunne is an option. Wolfgang is as well. But, what are they going to do with them? Eventually, it will blow up in their face.

I agree. It seems as though the WWE are spreading themselves far too thin and don't have a real direction yet. They are expanding far too rapidly and no substance as of yet. It would put my mind at ease if the WWE came out and gave us some insight as to their UK strategy.

 

[Dagger Dias]

It could be a good idea but what exactly is the vision behind all of this? Are they going to create multiple international versions of NXT out of the tournaments? I likely won't be watching the tournaments though I do support the WWE giving it a try. I'm more interested in what happens afterwards. Do we get a different developmental program each night on the Network with these locations then sending wrestlers to the main roster like NXT does? If that's not the route they are headed then I am unsure as to why they would have so many tournaments. If that does indeed end up being the case then that's a possibility of 4 different developmental brands. NXT, UK, Asian, Latin American. Or more, if this expands even further. It could work. Possibly.

 

[Navi]

Do we know how many tournaments they are actually planning to have? I can see them doing one in India and perhaps either somewhere in the Pacific Rim, but that's about it really.

Is the thought behind it to have these guys as sort of a feeder system for NXT or the main roster? You know like the farm teams are for Major League Baseball and the NHL. Last time they called up wrestler's to the main roster, half of NXT was gone.

Also can't see them bringing everyone over to the performance centre, so maybe start them out in their own countries and then hand pick the ones you want. Sort of a screening process if you will. Thoughts?

 

[Hyorinmaru]

Not a bad idea to make the WWE truly global and expand into markets that otherwise would have been very difficut to tap into.

I'll watch all of them because I enjoy all kinds of wrestling and these tournaments give me access to people I never would have seen otherwise.

Jack Gallagher springs to mind. Without the CwC i never would have heard of him but since his first match he's been my #1 favorite.

 

[Navi]

Not a bad idea to make the WWE truly global and expand into markets that otherwise would have been very difficut to tap into.

I'll watch all of them because I enjoy all kinds of wrestling and these tournaments give me access to people I never would have seen otherwise

I agree Frank, and because it's on the network watch if you want and don't watch if you don't want. The next John Cena could right now be living in a place we've never heard of or can even pronounce . I'll catch up on them whenever they air. Won't be able to watch them live, way outside my time zone. Will either be in bed or at work.

 

[mooseman]

I think its a simple and genius strategy. Have WWE brands in these pockets of the world. It will help build the Network as well as help find and identify new stars worldwide. Use these international shows to begin installing the WWE way. When someone reaches a point that they are ready they get moved to NXT to complete the WWE style training. Then when they are ready its on to RAW or Smackdown.