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WWE NEEDING TO EXPAND THEIR VIEW ON WHAT GETS TALENTS OVER, TITLE MATCHES ON THE KICKOFF SHOW, BROCK BACKSTAGE AND MORE

By Dave Scherer on 2018-04-10 10:00:00

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When speaking of wrestlers receiving a "Wrestlemania Payday" by apearring on the big stage, does that include the Kickoff Show, appearing on the panels, etc., or is it just the proper show itself?

Well, it doesn’t mean what it used to.  Back before the network, they got bonuses based off of the buy rate that the show did.  Now, it’s a Network special. They get a bonus based off of what the DVD sales do, but the Kickoff show hasn’t been on the DVD so those that don’t make the main show are left out.

How do you feel about the Cruiserweight Championship climaxing at Wrestlemania to only be on the pre-show? I know you've said in the past that championship matches period should be held on the main stage because of its importance. I agree and for the WWE to put the effort for a long tournament only for it to be seen by half the live audience who are still filing in and people at home who are not interested is a slap in the face. But on the other hand, the audience may see it as a bathroom break or bumper match if placed on the main card and may be better off as a kick-off match. Thoughts?

I don’t see any way that it’s a plus not being on the main show.  Even if it is a pee break match, they would get a DVD bonus!  I think all Title matches should be on the main show.  Otherwise you tell the fans they aren’t as important as the other matches.  That is why I think WWE should abandon the Kickoff show and just start the PPV an hour earlier.  The pre-show should be about hype, not matches.

So as of today, no confirmation on if The Undertaker will respond/accept Cena's challenge. Do you think it could be possible for this to be a swerve of sorts for Cena to come out at Mania and try to call out Taker, and instead, have Hogan come out for a face-off? 

As I type this on Saturday I see no way that this happens.  This has been about Undertaker.  WWE would never abuse his character like that in my opinion.  Taker needs to show up and pay Cena back for his comments.  To not have Taker show up would just be stupid to me.  That simple.

I was at work tonight, and have not seen Raw but I am assuming from everything I have seen that the Undertaker did not answer Cena. My question is pretty basic, why in the Hell do you have this go on since after Fastlane if they were not going to pay it off?

Again, I am typing this on Saturday so I don’t know what they did yet but I feel confident in saying that they wouldn’t have done it if they didn’t have a payoff set to happen.

Is Brock really as antisocial and only about the paycheck as his reputation leads us to believe?  I ask because I saw this video of him backstage with Undertaker at Mania 31 before Taker’s match.  Brock slaps Taker on the chest hyping him up while Taker is getting dressed.  So I’m wondering if his anti-social hired gun persona is more mystique than man.

He is pretty anti-social with the guys he doesn’t know, yes.  Most of the time he basically arrives, hangs by himself and then leaves when his stuff is done.  Taker he has some history with.

First off, thank you for all the hard work you do on the site!  In regards to Rusev's apparent resurgence and a number of other WWE stars gaining popularity is the WWE discounting the effect certain WWE shows, like  Ride Along or Total Diva's and certain approved outside endeavors like Xavier Woods Up Up Down Down YouTube channel have on the popularity of certain stars?  I certainly think that Rusev, and the Usos have benefitted greatly from appearances on Up Up Down Down, showing themselves in a more real and humorous light.  I think it also has added to the already amazing popularity of the New Day, Sasha Banks, Bailey and Seth Rollins.  Likewise productions like Table for Three and Ride Along that pull back the curtain seem to help as well.  But why does it seem in some case WWE brass does not take this into account?

That is an excellent question.  Obviously, hardcore fans are the ones that start picking up on things like Rusev Day.  They are also the people most likely to watch the shows you mention.  WWE definitely seems to be ignoring that when instead they should be embracing it.  Great point!

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