27.03.2005, 15:43
Vor ein paar Tagen jaehrte sich ja wieder das ende der WCW, naemlich genau am 23 Maerz, grund genug also mal darueber zusprechen wie damals die erwartungen waren. Bei WWE ging man jedenfalls oeffentlich von einer weiterfuehrung der WCW aus, intern wird man (zurecht) dagegen kaum auch nur annaehrend einen gedanken daran verschwendet haben.
Heute laesst sich darueber natuerlich nur spekulieren, allerdings war der WCW Name zum schluss weniger bekannt wie der ECW Name, daher denke ich waere eine weiterfuehrung der WCW nochmehr in die Hose gegangen wie die Invasion SL (siehe auch meine zwei Kolumnen letztes Jahr dazu). Aber haette WWE langfristig nicht versuchen sollen die Brand Extension so aufzubauen? Sprich kein Raw und Smackdown als zwei der Brand`s sondern zum BSP WWE (Montag, Monday Night Raw) und WCW (Donnerstag, Thursday Nitro) ?
Hier die Original WWE Presseerklaerung von 2001:
STAMFORD, Conn., March 23, 2001 - World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWF) today announced its purchase of the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) brand from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS Inc.), a division of AOL Time Warner.
The purchase of WCW creates a tag team partnership with the World Wrestling Federation brand that is expected to propel the sports entertainment genre to new heights.
In keeping with the company’s strategic alliance with Viacom, new WCW programming is anticipated to air on TNN in the near future. The possibility of cross-brand storylines and intrigue, however, may start as early as Monday night during WWF Raw Is War on TNN and the final performance of WCW Monday Nitro Live on Turner Network Television (TNT).
The binding agreement provides World Wrestling Federation Entertainment with the global rights to the WCW brand, tape library, and other intellectual property rights.
“This acquisition is the perfect creative and business catalyst for our company,” said Linda McMahon, Chief Executive Officer of World Wrestling Federation Entertainment. “This is a dream combination for fans of sports entertainment. The incendiary mix of World Wrestling Federation and WCW personalities potentially creates intriguing storylines that will attract a larger fan base to the benefit of our advertisers and business partners, and propel sports entertainment to new heights.”
“The acquisition of the WCW brand is a strategic move for us,” said Stuart Snyder, President and Chief Operating Officer for World Wrestling Federation Entertainment. “We are assuming a brand with global distribution and recognition. We are adding thousands of hours to our tape library that can be repurposed for home videos, television, Internet streaming, and broadband applications. The WCW opens new opportunities for growth in our Pay Per View, live events, and consumer products divisions, as well as the opportunity to develop new television programming using new stars. We also will create additional advertising and sponsorship opportunities. In short, it is a perfect fit.”
Heute laesst sich darueber natuerlich nur spekulieren, allerdings war der WCW Name zum schluss weniger bekannt wie der ECW Name, daher denke ich waere eine weiterfuehrung der WCW nochmehr in die Hose gegangen wie die Invasion SL (siehe auch meine zwei Kolumnen letztes Jahr dazu). Aber haette WWE langfristig nicht versuchen sollen die Brand Extension so aufzubauen? Sprich kein Raw und Smackdown als zwei der Brand`s sondern zum BSP WWE (Montag, Monday Night Raw) und WCW (Donnerstag, Thursday Nitro) ?
Hier die Original WWE Presseerklaerung von 2001:
STAMFORD, Conn., March 23, 2001 - World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWF) today announced its purchase of the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) brand from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS Inc.), a division of AOL Time Warner.
The purchase of WCW creates a tag team partnership with the World Wrestling Federation brand that is expected to propel the sports entertainment genre to new heights.
In keeping with the company’s strategic alliance with Viacom, new WCW programming is anticipated to air on TNN in the near future. The possibility of cross-brand storylines and intrigue, however, may start as early as Monday night during WWF Raw Is War on TNN and the final performance of WCW Monday Nitro Live on Turner Network Television (TNT).
The binding agreement provides World Wrestling Federation Entertainment with the global rights to the WCW brand, tape library, and other intellectual property rights.
“This acquisition is the perfect creative and business catalyst for our company,” said Linda McMahon, Chief Executive Officer of World Wrestling Federation Entertainment. “This is a dream combination for fans of sports entertainment. The incendiary mix of World Wrestling Federation and WCW personalities potentially creates intriguing storylines that will attract a larger fan base to the benefit of our advertisers and business partners, and propel sports entertainment to new heights.”
“The acquisition of the WCW brand is a strategic move for us,” said Stuart Snyder, President and Chief Operating Officer for World Wrestling Federation Entertainment. “We are assuming a brand with global distribution and recognition. We are adding thousands of hours to our tape library that can be repurposed for home videos, television, Internet streaming, and broadband applications. The WCW opens new opportunities for growth in our Pay Per View, live events, and consumer products divisions, as well as the opportunity to develop new television programming using new stars. We also will create additional advertising and sponsorship opportunities. In short, it is a perfect fit.”