Ant

In the first BBC documentary and a week ago in a Guardian piece Mark Dallas indicated there's no money. Something like making the same money as he did in his old day job. If that's the case where's the money?

What's his connection to the article then? As the print is too small to read on phone.

Tom was born the day the SECC opened.

Since I began watching and taking notice of ICW I have done something I never thought I would, I have missed a few WWE shows and actually find myself more annoyed at things happening in WWE that I would have once just been a little niggled at. For example, most recently, I haven't watched any WWE for two weeks and following Fear and Loathing, I woke up and checked the Raw results, the four guys I'd predicted to be in the semi-finals before the tournament even began are in the semi-finals and I am pretty sure I (and probably everyone here) knows where it's going on Sunday too.

Rewind to Fear and Loathing, I was shocked by a few surprises, particularly someone who wasn't even supposed to be in a Title match winning it, someone returning and setting up a pretty big match during a 6-man-tag that I thought was just supposed to be a filler match but wasn't at all and there were a few more nice surprises too. ICW is so much more exciting and unpredictable than WWE and this is definitely reflected in their passionate and growing fan base.

Also bought my ticket for next year as soon as I could, standing of course, sitting at an ICW show would feel weird for me.

That's why regular ICW TV would be bad in my view. The WWE's over exposure makes it nigh on impossible to do anything fresh or surprising. And when they do it's laughed at. We hate the predictability, but want it - eg we whinge when Kalisto gets some focus.

Depends what period you're looking at. Standalone a TV taping nowadays probably makes a loss in terms of the building income and expenditure. But it's needed to draw the advertising income. And with consumer habits changing to online platforms traditional TV advertising income is probably dropping.

I still can't comprehend the fixation with TV = full arenas. TNA is essentially on free TV, they get a couple of thousand into the Hydro. ICW has no TV and will probably sell a couple of thousand tickets this month alone.

 

Disney on Ice, Harlem Globetrotters, Cirque du Soleil and several other acts regularly tour the globe including the UK, selling out several nights in the one location. No TV.

Great attendances, good quality production. It's a mysetery why some think TV would "help". They'd lose their control over the product and potentially money, as the subscription income is theirs minus costs.

The venue website advises tickets will cost £31.20 - £56.75.

For me the Hydro show is the big turning point. Good on em.

It looked like they um'd and ah'd about filming Giggs. He was sat behind the commentators.

 

Nicky Butt was a couple of seats along from me at SD. Given the amount of selfie requests he got I can't imagine what it's like for more prominent names.

Imagine a show with the wrestlers really being themselves. Itching for an end to the wellness policy, at least for recreationals, chasing questionable skirt, stabbing each other in the back.

Calling NWE an American promotion is like calling Preston City Wrestling an American promotion. Whilst a lot of Americans were used, the risk lay with the Europeans.

 

Along the same lines, did the American Wrestling Rampage touring guys ever attract such large crowds?

 

 

Not strictly a wrestling show, but I remember a few years ago Matt Cross wrestling in a massive French stadium. Was during a footie halftime show I think. Crazy amount of fans there.

 

But when it comes to bums in seats for a predominantly British show I'd guess ICW have nailed it, unless a 1PW or Alex Shane show can lay claim to the title.

Isn't the Network hedging the bets? If traditional TV viewing continues to decrease they're well placed with their online offering.

With a month to go, is there temptation to move to the larger Hall 4 next door/through a partition, or is it fine for now with a view on The Hydro next year? All speculation, but it must have crossed their minds.

I watched the first 2 mins of the Dynamite Kid shoot a while back. That was enough. Credit to anyone going beyond that.

 

The context for the awkwardness may also be that before the camera went on the interviewer and crew were marking out and getting him to sign tonnes of figures and 8x10's.

 

I'm making excuses for him, the bloke just doesn't give a fuck, for whatever reason!

Anyone whose on a guaranteed deal with this mob must love it.

That's astounding, as I'm sure the SECC is still owned and/or operated by Glasgow City Council. It just feels wrong.

WWE have given out many free tickets for takings. The concern I have for TNA is folk still don't go.

Is there anyone in wrestling more likeable and laid back than The Godfather? Just been watching his old RF shoot interview and he seems like such a happy and fun bloke. I'm not surprised when he says he never had any problems with anyone in the business because a) he looks pretty badass and b) he seems almost impossible to dislike. The only person he's had anything negative to say about so far has been Tiger Ali Singh, and even then he wasn't a dick about it.

Edit - he's not keen on Johnny Ace and Stevie Richards either.

At London Wrestlecon his good humour and attitude was infectious. Seemed a great guy.

Surely Sunny is doubtful for this one due to her legal issues?

Demolition on JR's podcast was a great listen.

If JR talking with JR was the show recorded in London I expect Demolition will come up soon, will be listening to that for sure.

Agreed. Whilst I appreciate what people are saying about high costs, look what film equivalent event costs.

 

And I doubt the income from the Super Ticket will cover all of the expenditure attached to flying, accomodating and paying the others. So the Hogan ticket income will cover that.

 

The other point is that unlike some wrestling promoters, these promoters will be looking to make a profit.

 

With this in mind I reckon Hogan must be doing this for a heavy discount. He might even have visions of the UK red and yellow army chanting his name being good PR for his recent bad press.

 

Either way, if someone told me a VIP ticket to see Hogan, meet him, get an autograph, and a picture would cost nearer a grand I'd not have been too surprised. Suppose it's all about context and expectations.

Hulk Hogan has tweeted about a UK appearance on November 13/14. Says he will be doing a Q&A and signing in Sheffield on 14th.

Anyone have anymore info on this?

I was speculating about this in the Minor News thread a few days ago. My guess is it's promoted by Rocco Buonvino. Feel stronger now Sheffield has been announced, as they're promoting Liza Minnelli there this month. Rocco is the guy that has brought Arnie, Stallone and currently Jerry Lee Lewis to the UK. He's the only man with the readies and awareness of Hogan I can imagine promoting this.

I once saw Johnny Storm outside a Pizza Hut in Crouch End. To this day, I still cringe at how star struck I acted. For Johnny Storm.

Didn't he work in a Pizza Hut? Imagine your confusion at him taking your drinks order.

I'd hate to think anyone with any ounce of decency would go to a Hogan show. But then I remembered this is wrestling and also there are a lot of thick shits out there.

If you attach decency to what you watch or attend, wrestling would be out the door pretty sharp.