WWE sports entertainment boosting RAW, SmackDown, Hollywood and media collaborations and campaigns as they head full speed towards the Road To WrestleMania Media Man Int

WWE sports entertainment boosting RAW, SmackDown, Hollywood and media collaborations and campaigns as they head full speed towards the Road To WrestleMania - February - March 2019

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The Art of Rob Schamberger. The WWE has no shortage of shows, programmes on the WWE Network, or media exposure

by Greg Tingle

WrestleMania season is nearing, and I'm pumped, as are millions of professional wrestling aka sports entertainment fans around the world.

Now, I may be a media agent, sports agent and advertising executive by trade, but I'm a fan first, as are most who work in and around the business. I haven't found out a way as of yet to derive an income exclusively from the professional wrestling industry, and upon reflection, its probably best that I stick to working a number of different industry verticals and spreading the risk, much like spreading sports bets.

Now, back on point... professional wrestling is currently undergoing significant changes. Well, it has been for a few years now, due to the UFC - MMA influence and "competition" from the likes of Impact Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling, but now there's a new kid in town, and its AEW (All Elite Wrestling). They are competition, and as Vince McMahon, Stephanie, Triple H and other WWE top brass have said and documented, "Everything is competition", be it Disney, movies, videogames, Netflix, other streaming companies, whatever... Only thing is, AEW is primarily pro wrestling and is backed by billionaire media and sports tzars', the Khan family. And, they now have Chris Jericho on a 3 year deal, as well as formally the hottest free agent in the business, Kenny Omega. AWE is for real, and WWE know it.

Smartly, WWE is in the process of locking down their most wanted talent / performers to long term deals, and throwing a lot of money around themselves, with some wrestlers being able to secure about double their previous pay packets.

Let's not overstate or understate the AWE factor, but it has had a real impact, pun intended. It's not just a cash burn thing. Under 'American Nightmare' Cody Rhodes, and his wife, Brandi (Chief Brandi Officer), they have shaken up an industry that was getting a little "stale" - a world that Vince McMahon allegedly used to describe his own product.

I'm quite the WWE loyalist, having grown up on the product and there's the emotional and nostalgia factor, having watched shows with my later father, and it being a bit of a family time thing also. But, the world changes and variety has been said to be the spice of life. One wouldn't want to watch the same movie or even the same genre of movie again and again, for decades, would they? Exactly the point, and I"m not alone in that train of thought. Good thing WWE has the NXT brand on hand to give itself a shot in the arm when needed, such as now, with the injury count and star power down.

Now some good news for WWE

.. some star power returning, even if its for short bursts...

Roman Reigns will be back on RAW once or twice before you've had a change to fully digest this article.

WWE is currently gaining huge exposure thanks largely due to the 'Fighting With My Family' movie, telling the story of Paige's life and career.

Hulk Hogan has generated major positive worldwide headlines with the news that his life story from a pro wresting perspective will be told. Australian Chris Hemsworth will play the Hulkster (Hulk Hogan, real name Terry Bollea).

Traditionally, as the WWE heads towards WrestleMania, its equivalent of the NFL SuperBowl, ratings go up.

The NXT intake has most assuredly freshened up the product, as per Vince McMahon strategy.

Matt Riddle's repeated message that he is gunning for Brock Lesnar has generated some real buzz in wrestling circles, and some of this has spread across to the the MMA world also. A lot of people want to see Brock Lesnar beaten, worked or shoot, or both. Riddle is tipped to be able to solve that problem. Sorry Paul Heyman, its just a play on words. More money for you and your client dear Sir.

The DDP ('Diamond' Dallas Page) factor. Page is a WWE guy, and his amazing DDPY (yoga) is frequently generating great press for the WWE. Page counts many current and former WWE wrestlers as clients and huge advocates of his.

Charlotte Flair

The Women's Division...

So much talent, too much talent? It's a good thing, especially with all the injures that have been occurring of late.

Now, not everyone is a huge fan of the ladies, but unless you are Holly Holm, 'Rowdy' Ronda Rousey could probably kick your ass. Shayna Baszler might be one of the few with a real shot to take down Rousey one way or another. Punters are generally of the belief that Charlotte Flair is going to get a win over Rousey sooner or later, and the smart money said that 'The Irish Lass Kicker' Becky Lynch is going to work herself into this years WrestleMania, one way or another.

WWE Hall of Fame..

DX is in, including Chyna. Well deserved and long overdue in the opinion of many. WWE Hall of Fame website

Some tip The Undertaker and Kurt Angle going in this year, and we've been pushing for Cyndi Lauper, Dave Wolff and Andy Warhol for the 'Celebrity Wing'. I would be very surprised if we don't get at least one of them in the celeb wing this year.

Cyndi Lauper and Hulk Hogan. Rock N Roll wrestling era aka The Golden Era of the WWF

NWA (National Wrestling Alliance)...

Now, we know that the NWA is not the WWE, but should the WWE powers that be choose to have a NWA collaboration, even for a one off match for the championship, that would certainly be welcome news for most hardcore wrestling fans. Anything to freshen up the product right VKM? Fantasy Booking 101 is fun kids, but it's got to be best for business. The first WWE - NWA match in decades would spike viewership and buzz. For how long, who knows... Oh, great to see Dory Funk Jr. do an interview with Chris Jericho. Two of the all time greats, but from different eras!

UFC / MMA Factor and possibilities...

Shayna Baszler - tipped to be a future WWE Women's Champion.

Daniel Cormier - don't be too surprised if he does the call of the action for some MMA style matches in NXT or WWE.

Cain Velasquez - spotted at the WWE Performance Centre. Has expressed interest in a career in sports entertainment.

Wrap Up...

The WWE needs to be on the top of their game at the moment, and the uprising of AEW has been a bit of a wake up call, or whatever other term your care to use., Most wrestling fans want to see and support a quality WWE product, and many also like to check out some other brands of pro wrestling sometimes. The best general approach for the WWE is to give their fans more of what they want to see... great pro wrestling and great storylines, sometimes easier said than done, but let's give them the benefit of the doubt can we.

Public thank you to all professional wrestlers who risk it all to entertain us week after week. Total respect, heels, faces, journeymen, the ladies... we appreciate your great art.

Vince McMahon. All American Wrestling at the WWE Control Centre. Circa 1984

NXT's best wrestlers, Tommaso Ciampa, Alesister Black, Ricochet and Johnny Gargano, has really freshened up RAW and SmackDown

Matt Riddle, former UFC and MMA star has made a huge impact in NXT and has now singled out Brock Lesnar. He may be the one to solve the riddle er problem, known as Brock Lesnar! Bro Bro Bro...

WWE Comics. Even then, McMahon was 'The Man'... it just wasn't as well known outside the wrestling business; WWE has come a long way since smoke filled arenas, pro wrestling and even comic books. It's now a blue chip media and entertainment industry powerhouse and one of the most recognised brands on the planet. P.T. Barnum, move over, Vince, Stephanie and Triple H are coming through. The Greatest Show On Earth!

John Cena and Hulk Hogan. Pro wrestling aka sports entertainment star power!

The Art of Rob Schamberger

All Elite Wrestling has a website on the air. How could we not mention this. Competition benefits everyone right Bully Ray aka Bubba Ray Dudley (Busted Open Radio)

Australian wrestling fans would love to see 'The Fabulous Kangaroos' Al Costello and Roy Heffernan get included into the WWE Hall of Fame

News

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All Elite Wrestling poised to become game-changer - 26th January 2019

Nostalgia still sells; Wrestling fans call for WWE old school faction: Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, Shawn Michaels, X-Pac; Paul 'Mr Wonderful' Orndorff as corporate advisor - 2017

Chris Hemsworth to Play Hulk Hogan in Biopic Directed by Todd Phillips - 20th February 2019

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Wrestler interviews via Media Man Int and Media Man Australia