Great, a new WWE TV show
No matter how much wrestling was on television when I was younger – and at times it was quite a lot – there still was no such thing as too much wrestling. I would often tape the shows and forego hours of sleep to watch them all.
Now that I’m older and have more responsibilities, another wrestling show to keep track of is the last thing I need.
That’s why I wasn’t thrilled to learn that WWE is creating a new program. WWE Superstars will begin airing in April on WGN America, WWE announced on its Web site today. There were no details on the format except that it will be a one-hour show.
For my sanity, I am hoping the new program isn’t must-see TV. Perhaps a show consisting of nothing but squash matches, with no advancement of story lines. Or, even better, a recap show. I would have no problem skipping either one. A colleague suggested that it could be a magazine-type format with profiles on the performers out of character. That sounds a lot like WWE Confidential (which aired from 2002 to 2004 on Spike TV), a show that I was a big fan of. I don’t think I could resist watching that one.
WGN, a Chicago-based cable network that is owned by the Tribune Company (which also owns The Baltimore Sun), has had discussions in the past with both WWE and TNA. When WWE had to find a new home for Smackdown earlier this year, WGN reportedly was the only network interested beside MyNetworkTV, which ultimately landed the show.
The title of the new program brings back memories. WWF Superstars, which aired in syndication from 1986 to 1996 and for another five years on USA Network and TNN, was the company’s flagship show until the debut of Monday Night Raw in 1993.
Comments
I'm also hoping it's a show in the same vein as WWE Confidential. I enjoyed the show when it first aired, and it was a shame that WWE relegated it to the Saturday night timeslot of death.
It would be a nice way to get Trish Stratus back with the company, even in a non-wrestling role. And let's face it: Trish Stratus, in any role, is certainly must-see TV.
Kevin, do you think this is an attempt by WWE to emphasize the "entertainment" in their name, while also keying in on the smart marks that want to see the wrestlers in a more realistic light?
Posted by: The Franchise | December 19, 2008 9:13 PM
Kev , speaking about bringing back memories , one wrestling show that I used to love , and could never be recreated in this day and age was TNT ( Tuesday Night Titans ) from back in the 80's . That show was priceless !
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Agreed. I attended the tapings in Owings Mills several times.
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | December 19, 2008 9:47 PM
Let's be honest - the show will be another vehicle for Triple H to dominate the WWE product as he and his wife try to write him the most impressive legacy in the history of wrestling.
It'll be disgusting.
Posted by: Joe | December 19, 2008 10:40 PM
I remember the Superstars program used to air on channel 45 Saturdays. Vince McMahon and Jesse Ventura used to call the action and Michael Hayes used to be on there as well. I agree with The Franchise, it would be great to see Trish Stratus back on TV. I'd also like to see them do a show From The Vault which would bring back some older matches. I really enjoyed that. they used to show the stars of yester-year like tito Santana, Rick Martel, Chief Jay Strongbow, etc. I know it was part of the Confidential show.
Posted by: Dave | December 19, 2008 11:23 PM
WWF Superstars is responsible for getting me hooked on wrestling as a kid. Saturday mornings on ABC were the greatest!
Posted by: Jimmy Bellamy | December 19, 2008 11:28 PM
CM Punk and Kofi Kingston losing their tag team titles at a recent house show made me think: could this new show be used to recap untelevised events? We could be told who defeated whom, and fans who attended the show could be interveiwed about their experience. That would change the practice of treating house shows 99% of time as if they didn't happen.
Posted by: Christopher | December 20, 2008 12:38 AM
I liked your "faceoff" in today's sports page. I definitely agree that it is up to the Ravens offense to win the game tomorrow
Posted by: Geckle | December 20, 2008 1:33 AM
It gets really old seeing people still complaining about Triple H and who he's 'sleeping with'. I think he is far better than John Cena, who I believe WWE has been forcing down our throats for years. Triple H could have a great match with a broom handle, but i have to watch Cena over act every time i watch WWE. Every one of his matches is the same (he lies on his back for 95% of the match only to MIRACULOUSLY recover and steal a win). Triple H was world champion long before he married Stephanie, and I feel that there is no one (except for maybe Jericho and Orton) who can hold a candle to him. Its my opinion, you don't have to agree, but come on, find something new to complain about.
Posted by: William R | December 20, 2008 7:57 AM
LOL I rremeber back in the 80s when WW'F' only aired squash matches
Posted by: double b | December 20, 2008 8:06 AM
I also was a big fan of Tuesday Night Titans. My favorite episode was when they did a version of the Dating Game."Bachelor" Jim "The Anvil" Niedhart passed on two beautiful women to go with Bachelorette #3 who happened, of course, to be Moolah. His reactions of shock and then "What the hell" were priceless as he eventually walked off arm and arm with Moolah.
Posted by: Mike | December 20, 2008 8:54 AM
Didn't WWE learn from WCW that having too many television shows only wears down the talent and waters down the PPVs anymore?
Posted by: Elevation | December 20, 2008 12:43 PM
When I was a kid, all I had was Superstars. I would watch the occasional Clash of the Champions, but I didn't stay up late enough for All-American Wrestling on USA, and we (Rochester, NY) didn't get Challenge.
I grew up on squash matches, interview shows (like the Funeral Parlor, Barber Shop, and Snake Pit, among others) and the occasional superstar vs. superstar match.
It was a different time for wrestling. Unless you paid for it or there was an episode of SNME, you didn't get to see title switches -- let alone title matches -- on free TV.
WWE has so conditioned its fans to expect good wrestling on TV (no, really!) that a show featuring a bunch of squash matches and quick vignettes just wouldn't work today like it did 20 years ago. I don't know if that's good or bad, but there it is.
Count me in as someone else who would love to see a Confidential-style show. WWE documentaries are often the best part of their DVD sets, and a half-hour show getting over current talent in a similar way would be really, really cool.
Posted by: DG | December 20, 2008 2:13 PM
I think i know what this is all about. I have announced recently a similar show for a romanian TV and it was from the middle of 2008. It simply presents some of the best matches of certain superstars and who are they, kayfabe-like presented. To me the show looked more like an hour long advertising to WWE Universe, it was much less entertaining that even ECW. It was hosted by Todd Grisham
Well, at least the show was called WWE Superstars.
Posted by: Gabi | December 21, 2008 2:28 AM
Hey Mike, I aagree that the Dating Game on TNT on the USA Network was a classic. Not long after that episode appeared, I ran into "The Anvil" and "The Natural" Butch Reed in a watering hole near the Balto. Arena. I asked Neidhart about his date and he was taken aback when I told him told him I was envious of his 'good luck' in choosing Bachelorette #3. As I recall Reed just tried to ignore the conversation. He was probably jealous too.
Posted by: Mr. Eli | December 21, 2008 8:17 AM
No talk of Tuesday Night Titans can be complete without 2 words... Fuji Vice
Posted by: BigDude | December 21, 2008 8:19 PM