Topic: WWE Network Cancellation Page Crashes After Rumble

[EDGECRUSHER]

http://uproxx.com/prowrestling/2015/01/roman-reigns-was-so-strong-at-the-rumble-he-crashed-the-wwe-network-cancellation-page/

So many people hated Batista 2015 that they crashed the Network page trying to cancel their subscriptions.

I genuinely feel bad for Reigns as I think he is talented and will be a big star one day, but this is going to kill his career. Erik Watts had less of a push and was more beloved.

[benlinus]

I love that the fans are smart and voting with their wallets. Things like the stock going down in price and people quit ordering the network will tell vince to get the fuck in line.

Truthfully for 10 bucks a month the wwe network is a hell of a bargain when you consider all you are offered and some people used to spend 50 to 60 a month ordering ppvs.

It was so obvious what the fans wanted I do not know why vince could not have waited a year on Reigns since fans never got to see Daniel Bryan have his run as champ last year.

Also the way fan favorites like Ziggler and Ambrose were treated at the end was another Fuck you to the fans. They were just sacks of dummies tossed out.

I will say that things like this though due to get wwe more mainstream attention than if Daniel Bryan had won the royal rumble. I do not think this extra mainstream media attention will add to many new subscribers.

[BobbyR]

or Vince crashed it so people couldn't cancel and by the time it comes back on line they'll be over it

[Torgo]

I do not think this extra mainstream media attention will add to many new subscribers.

Hey let's watch that show where they piss everyone off all the time and don't listen to their paying fans!

[freud mayweather]

or Vince crashed it so people couldn't cancel and by the time it comes back on line they'll be over it

that sounds really illegal, and as carny as wwe is, i'd hope they're smart enough not to take that kind of risk.


then again, if they did and they get caught it will be hilarious to watch unfold.

[EDGECRUSHER]

The problem with Vince is his own success. He has become a Billionaire(at times) because he never listened to others and did what he wanted to. It's clearly not working anymore, but why would he change in his 70's?

[POE-Bot Activated!]

Vince McMahon will never learn. It's almost like Michael Caine's Alfred quote about 'some people just want to watch the world burn' come to life.

You can't reason with McMahon nor expect him to change. His podcast interview with Austin is proof.

[RealMarchHare]

I agree on The Network being worth every penny spent based on all the other content available and not having to pay $40-$60 for Sunday Night RAW once a month.  It's unfortunate that maybe the only way to get them to listen at this point is what the fans are doing though.

It's hilarious watching all this unfold right now to me.  The Network just finished their Monday Night War documentary series.  They spend so much time in it talking about how the WWE was old and stale and refused to change with the times and listen to the fans which WCW did do.  They spend so much time talking about how they finally started changing and listening and that was the key to their success as WCW failed to continue to adapt beyond the start.

Yet here they are doing the same mistakes as before that almost caused them to go out of business.  Problem is there isn't another promotion strong enough like the WCW was to challenge and force change.

[FreebirdSTF]

Never thought about it that way, but that's spot on.  They are so smug about how they figured it out and beat WCW and then have continued to get in pissing contests with their fans.

Someone said this on another board and I thought it was perfect, "Now a years old problem has turned into warfare between the WWE and its fans. Peace is needed and fast."

[RickRude]

I saw this on another site and I thought "the subscription page is going to crash Wednesday when those same over-reactor's realize they can't watch NXT."

There's a lot of people out there who seem to think the only job of the WWE is to cater to them. They are a significant part of the WWE's audience, but far from the only ones, and probably not a majority. The narcissism is really high with the IWC these days... It's like these kids dismiss marks as unimportant because they're going to accept whatever the WWE feeds them either way, so why not book it so the IWC is happy and then the marks will happily follow along.

[RealMarchHare]

I saw this on another site and I thought "the subscription page is going to crash Wednesday when those same over-reactor's realize they can't watch NXT."

There's a lot of people out there who seem to think the only job of the WWE is to cater to them. They are a significant part of the WWE's audience, but far from the only ones, and probably not a majority. The narcissism is really high with the IWC these days... It's like these kids dismiss marks as unimportant because they're going to accept whatever the WWE feeds them either way, so why not book it so the IWC is happy and then the marks will happily follow along.

I'd normally agree with that except a bunch of my friends who are casuals, really only watch the PPV's and MAYBE an episode here or there, have all been pissed about what happened.  WWE's poll about how people felt about the Rumble was at 7k likes and 27k dislikes at one point.  I don't think they've ever had a show no matter how terrible or so-so it was come out anything but positive in those polls before mostly because of the "casuals".  There are all the signs in the world that it's more than just the IWC.

Hell even Batista winning last year didn't have this big of an after show fall out.  Probably because we knew months in advance that this was the outcome for tonight where as Batista there was still some thought it wasn't going to go down that way.  Those months were spent making it known how displeased they'd be if it came out this way and the WWE went ahead with it anyways.  THe other difference is Batista was supposed to be a Face but they were able to use the extreme negative heat and make him a Heel.  Thus his victory works.  Reigns is being set up to be the golden boy so he isn't going to be getting turned Heel most likely. You've now positioned your new Golden Boy to have insane Heel Heat...

[Torgo]

I'd normally agree with that except a bunch of my friends who are casuals, really only watch the PPV's and MAYBE an episode here or there, have all been pissed about what happened.  WWE's poll about how people felt about the Rumble was at 7k likes and 27k dislikes at one point.  I don't think they've ever had a show no matter how terrible or so-so it was come out anything but positive in those polls before mostly because of the "casuals".  There are all the signs in the world that it's more than just the IWC.

Hell even Batista winning last year didn't have this big of an after show fall out.  Probably because we knew months in advance that this was the outcome for tonight where as Batista there was still some thought it wasn't going to go down that way.  Those months were spent making it known how displeased they'd be if it came out this way and the WWE went ahead with it anyways.  THe other difference is Batista was supposed to be a Face but they were able to use the extreme negative heat and make him a Heel.  Thus his victory works.  Reigns is being set up to be the golden boy so he isn't going to be getting turned Heel most likely. You've now positioned your new Golden Boy to have insane Heel Heat...

If they stay the course, and they don't turn Reigns heel and they keep it one on one vs. Brock at Mania...they're literally asking for a shitstorm. The only thing that would save it would be Brock retaining, which he won't because he's leaving after that (or so it's assumed).

And the other alternative, turning Reigns heel, comes off as cheap because it's exactly what they did with Batista, plus I'm sure Vince doesn't want to do that if he wants Reigns to be the next Cena.

They've got quite a problem on their hands!

The thinking is that the internet fans and the "smart" fans at the Rumble are not the majority and this will blow over. The problem is that the internet fans and the "smart" fans are the ones the network most caters to, and they're the ones who populate the big PPV venues. You can't tell me the network doesn't cater to the smarks! What casual fans give a fuck about any of the old shit on the network? That's the only reason I have it at this point. I mean I fucking love NXT, but you can get a hulu subscription for it.

[freud mayweather]

the only two kinds of fans now are smart fans and little children. anyone over 13 who watches raw at least keeps up somewhat with the rumors and such.

[RealMarchHare]

the only two kinds of fans now are smart fans and little children. anyone over 13 who watches raw at least keeps up somewhat with the rumors and such.

I'd say there are still Casuals as a third.  As I stated I have some friends who only watch the PPV's for the spectacles.  However, even most Casuals are kept up to date with rumors and such as casuals usually watch with groups of people mostly full of Smart fans who fill them in on everything that happens between PPV's.

[FreebirdSTF]

There are more adult casuals that don't follow backstage gossip and rumors than people want to admit.

[Torgo]

There are more adult casuals that don't follow backstage gossip and rumors than people want to admit.

And they continue to cater to them for what reason? To grow the overall fanbase? That will stick around for what exactly? Why not at least a little harder to please the people who will follow your product no matter what? They did it at Mania last year and they do it on NXT every week and at every big NXT show.

[EDGECRUSHER]

The internet isn't a separate entity anymore, it's everything. There aren't "internet fans". If you don't have the internet, you are in a cave.

Like last year, the boos followed Batista until they had to turn him heel. The boos will follow Reigns too. They should just keep Bryan off of TV until after Wrestlemania. Claim his injury came back or something.

[FreebirdSTF]

Everyone has the Internet and the line between old school IWC and casuals is blurring, but believe me when I tell you there's still a gap in "IWC mentality" and casual fans. 

To Torgo's point I never said that they should cater to that crowd and ignore the other segment of their fanbase.  I do think to some degree though the more hardcore segment/IWC/whatever has to realize that they aren't going to get their way 100% of the time.  Trying to make Little Jimmy happy all the time is why we got stuck with John Cena for so long.  Sometimes as a fan you're going to be upset and that's part of it.  I'm not sure that taking your ball and going home every single time your demands aren't met is going to work either. 

If you try to hand-wave every negative response as it just being the IWC or a smarky crowd you are mistaken.  I still tend to believe there are certain patterns you see among the true "Internet fans" of old like us and casual fans who are on the Internet though.

[FreebirdSTF]

Now WWE is "asking for it" as it relates to intentionally driving their fans to Twitter.  They are trying to have their cake and eat it too.  They still want to believe they can manipulate their crowd yet also specifically point them in a direction that will make that harder to do. 

Honestly, at this point, I think a WWE that is run by Triple H is the best situation we can hope for.  I think he "gets it" far more than his father-in-law does, but until VKM is in the ground you're going to have this type of nonsense.

[FATSEXY]

John Cena wins most of his matches and You Internets are pissed off because JOHN CENA WINS.


Yet if Daniel Bryan doesn't win every match he's in, fuck the WWE! Those assholes!!!


The last time You Fucking Internets wanted to burn a handsome young Samoan alive, the WWE was all "Fuck 'em" and let him find his way, and the motherfucker became The Rock. The Great One. I suggest You Internets know your roles and shut your mouths.


Also, it is worth repeating, the WWE gave us what we wanted. They gave us Daniel Bryan. Yet his li'l 180 pound body couldn't take all of his flippity floppity Cruiserweight bullshit when he had to do it against bigger guys. I love DB to death, but anyone who used the flying headbutt as a move in post-Benoit life is a fucking idiot and, hey, wouldn't you know that he fucked up the shoulder that he landed on doing the dive? Hmmm.... 180 pound guy jumps from 8 feet up and lands on 250+ pound guys, guess which part of that equation ends up broken 10 times out of 10?


I've actually swung around to loving Triple the fuck H and VKM, and they shit on not one single tiny assed rassler, they shit on the fuckin' promotion that I grew up watching and loved. I got over that shit. Get over them stuffing the midget. Join the Dark Side.

[FATSEXY]

Everyone has the Internet and the line between old school IWC and casuals is blurring, but believe me when I tell you there's still a gap in "IWC mentality" and casual fans. 

To Torgo's point I never said that they should cater to that crowd and ignore the other segment of their fanbase.  I do think to some degree though the more hardcore segment/IWC/whatever has to realize that they aren't going to get their way 100% of the time.  Trying to make Little Jimmy happy all the time is why we got stuck with John Cena for so long.  Sometimes as a fan you're going to be upset and that's part of it.  I'm not sure that taking your ball and going home every single time your demands aren't met is going to work either. 

If you try to hand-wave every negative response as it just being the IWC or a smarky crowd you are mistaken.  I still tend to believe there are certain patterns you see among the true "Internet fans" of old like us and casual fans who are on the Internet though.

The argument that the IWC is a small portion of the fanbase is not even worth having anymore, because the WWE has done everything they can to have a huge internet presence (and as a thanks to you, Zack Ryder, go get in one signature spot in the Rumble and then get thrown out on your ass, maybe they'll keep Zack on as an online presence consultant or something after he retires from in ring performance llololololololol right).


So the problem isn't that a lot of fans are online, the problem is that a lot of fans are cunts. Boo hoo, my favorite rassle isn't the top guy.


So what? Fuck 'im. Cena's been the top guy because he can call the matches, he looks handsome in a suit and enjoys his role as Lunkhead Who Acts Classy at these functions where he shows up in a suit and does the mock humility routine, there's so much more to being a top guy than being a good wrestler that it makes me wonder why we call internet fans "smart" fans if they can't grasp that one simple concept. DB wants to eat brussel sprouts, fuck his sexy elf looking wife, and shit in the woods because he's a nature loving hippie. Good for him. He's super rich doing that and he's happy. John Cena wants to do so many fucking steroids, and he wants to exist as a character 25 hours a goddamn day. That's why he's the guy. Tried to make Randy Orton The Guy. Randy Orton likes drugs too much. Tried to give CM Punk a sniff. CM Punk likes being an arrogant dickhead too much. The motherfucker is straight edge, but will take Z pacs like they are Tic Tacs? Fuck you, dude, take a few HGH shots a month and you won't be a wreck from wrestling.


Anyway, I just came to drop knowledge and show You People the light. You're all welcome.

[FreebirdSTF]

It's not that it's a small portion of the fanbase anymore.  It's that there are trends among the more plugged in fans that do still exist.   

Take Roman Reigns for example.  The general WWE Universe seems to like him alright*, but the IWC dislikes him pretty strongly. 

*He's not as over with them as he should be either, but they don't hate him like Twitter and Philadelphia seemed to. 

[Zandrax]

The problem with at least some of the internet base is they're all bark and no bite.

Boycott WWE because there's no CM Punk? Paul Heyman turns them into marks again in one promo.

Even if they do cancel, they're still going to think they're smart by torrenting or watching streams. When in the end they are spending time and effort to stay plugged into the product, and will still support whatever internet darling they love.

If you're going to leave, then LEAVE. Don't be a liar and say you'll leave only to be peeking in through a crack in the door. I walked away from TNA for several months last sommer. I didn't torrent, I didn't watch online. I just stopped watching the product for a few months (to the point that I didn't know who Bram was when I started watching again). It's not that hard.

[FATSEXY]

The problem with at least some of the internet base is they're all bark and no bite.

Boycott WWE because there's no CM Punk? Paul Heyman turns them into marks again in one promo.

Even if they do cancel, they're still going to think they're smart by torrenting or watching streams. When in the end they are spending time and effort to stay plugged into the product, and will still support whatever internet darling they love.

If you're going to leave, then LEAVE. Don't be a liar and say you'll leave only to be peeking in through a crack in the door. I walked away from TNA for several months last sommer. I didn't torrent, I didn't watch online. I just stopped watching the product for a few months (to the point that I didn't know who Bram was when I started watching again). It's not that hard.

An interesting point, people get fed up with the NFL for treating players with kid gloves when they do some really major shit, but when the WWE lives by the "the game is bigger than any player" mantra for realsies, everyone gets pissed off. Weird.

[EDGECRUSHER]

The problem that WWE created though is their Network and how they need subscribers. Even if only a few thousand cancelled over this, they don't have enough subscribers as is and no, Roman Reigns as champ while Brock leaves is not bringing in subscribers.

Vince is just at war with the fans because he has no one left to be at war with. Unfortunately for him, there is no superstar leaving to fuck up things this year to save Wrestlemania. Reigns will be booed, but they won't do a 3 way again and he will be left standing tall at the end of Mania while the crowd shits on him.

Then Rollins will cash in his briefcase soon after and become a massive face by default.