WWE to the UK Fans - "Fuck you"

[SortaCreative]

Have to say completely agree Sky's point of view and it's a BIG oversight by the WWE really.

I wouldn't agree with Sky. Sky are really anti competition when it comes to contracting sporting events and entertainment. It's only been recently that BT Sport has been able to make a dent in their total monopoly of everything sporting related in the country. Or atleast Football and Rugby related.

Why the hell would you want to agree with Sky holding exclusivity over everything, when competition (in theory) would benefit us as consumers. Imagine if Virgin, BT and Sky all had to compete to get your hard earned money for the sports you like to watch.

But if Sky pays for that exclusivity they deserve it then. Each of those companies could have done the same thing, but they didn't.

I'm not saying they don't deserve it if they pay for it.

I'm saying I dont like they're in the position to be able to out bid the others to get such exclusivity or that a company like WWE would be that retarded to give it to them when they've got plans for a Network.

Clearly the entire company views the rest of the world as an after thought and it's bullshit. It bothers me that they want us to care so much when they really don't give a fuck about us - from a business perspective. I have money. They want my money. I've enjoyed their product over the years. I would be willing to give them my money directly. I can't because they lack the foresight to make any sensible business decisions.

That doesn't even begin to cover the fact that the product is so pro USA it's cringe worthy and that they constantly insult views who buy PPV's via other means on air, during the broadcast they most likely just paid for.

[SortaCreative]

I don't think I've ever been this frustrated with an entire entertainment company before.

Frustrations with booking are one thing. We all like to argue and debate the merits of various superstars and what not, that seems to be apart of the fun. Or at least apart of the territory with being an "internet wrestling fan".

But to carry these frustrations over to the point where you don't feel like a valued customer is just idiotic and quite frankly bad for business (go fuck yourself HHH alright, you big nosed fuck). It's one thing to jerk around and sometimes waste my time with things I don't find entertaining. What someone finds entertaining is subjective and it changes from person to person. That's fine.

But to set a date for a launch of a product, that would be of real value over here because of the fact that PPV's air at such a late hour and the fact that there's countless fans that don't want to subscribe to a cable service just for the privilege to pay 15 pounds to watch a PPV, only to pull it with 30mins to go is just mind blowing. For all their concerns about lost sales (revenue) on Cena merchandise if they ever made him heel, it's quite funny that they'll happily cancel a product that would make them money and then hold an exclusive championship match on said product the day after just cause that's a fucking move you make. Show a little tact, show some fucking business savvy. You just burned potential customers, maybe wait a week at least you roided up geriatric jackass.

The Network makes sense here. The ability to get a on demand streaming service which offers quick, easy access to PPV's and other content whenever you want. This is 2014. Instant, connected and available TV is what is hot right now. There's a reason that Game of Thrones is the most pirated show in history. People do not want to get rammed in the anus just to watch a couple of hours of entertainment a month. They would rather, and there's services out there that prove it, have the ability to pay for instant, reliable, easy access to the content they want. I bet every single person that just watches HBO for Game of Thrones would rather have the ability to buy the entire season and watch it as it's airing, online, a-la Netflix, rather than subscribe to HBO. Call it HBOnline. Call it HBOvertheTop. Call it HBCancelledINTHEFUCKINGUK - who cares.

But hey, I guess not doing that makes sense. I guess signing away exclusivity rights makes sense. I guess pulling a product mere minutes before launch makes sense. I guess shoving fucking John Cena down my throat as he's wrapped in the Star Spangled Banner chanting USA USA USA makes more sense than just fucking making a good decision for once.

Honestly.

[The Legend]

^^^ You are missing the point. It wasn't WWE's idea to pull the launch of the network 30 minutes before it was set to happen. If WWE had their way you would have the Network right now, or at least the option to buy the Network right now. Sky's lawyers filed whatever grievance they had to with whatever British court they had to file it in and the judge ruled 30 minutes before the launch that Sky had a right to stop the launch while they had a court battle over the British legality of the Network.

[Everlong]

^^^ You are missing the point. It wasn't WWE's idea to pull the launch of the network 30 minutes before it was set to happen. If WWE had their way you would have the Network right now, or at least the option to buy the Network right now. Sky's lawyers filed whatever grievance they had to with whatever British court they had to file it in and the judge ruled 30 minutes before the launch that Sky had a right to stop the launch while they had a court battle over the British legality of the Network.

It might not be their idea, but they have a responsibility to do their due diligence with Sky and make sure everything is hunky dory before they make an announcement to UK fans that they're going to be giving them the network at a specified date and time.

The fact that they had to pull back at the 11th hour shows that they were pretty negligent in getting everything cleared up in that regard.

[SortaCreative]

^^^ You are missing the point. It wasn't WWE's idea to pull the launch of the network 30 minutes before it was set to happen. If WWE had their way you would have the Network right now, or at least the option to buy the Network right now. Sky's lawyers filed whatever grievance they had to with whatever British court they had to file it in and the judge ruled 30 minutes before the launch that Sky had a right to stop the launch while they had a court battle over the British legality of the Network.

Again. I never said they didn't. I'm not missing the point. I'm just not sitting here accepting that it's okay or it makes sense that the WWE would get to this point where Sky could filed an injunction based on the exclusivity of WWE PPV's.

I'm saying it's fucking stupid that would get to a position where they have to pull the launch with mere minutes to go.

I'm just saying it's fucking moronic that WWE would sign away exclusivity when they have plans for a network. Like no one ever thought that would be a bad idea when they were doing it.

"Er... Vince, you know that network you're planning to launch in a few years?"

"Yeah, kid, what about it? Speak up, i'm too busy planning next months Cena shirt"

"If you give Sky exclusivity over the PPV's it could cause us an issue when we get round to launching it in the UK, you know, 9 months later."

"Oh... what colour do you like? Red or orange?"

Yes Sky have every right to challenge WWE based on the exclusivity deal. They're doing it. Big woop. Fuck Rupert Murdoch too. Scum of the fucking earth.

[The Legend]

^^^ Here's a question, when did Sky and WWE make their current agreement? Because up until a year ago WWE wasn't planning on their network being an online thing that would challenge current cable provider deals. They thought it was going to be a regular channel that cable providers would make available to their customers for added cost. That went out the window when most cable companies said thanks, but no thanks to the network - that's why it seemingly took years for the Network to launch anywhere, WWE were exhaustively chasing their first option. The whole business of the network has been extremely fluid and not easy to plan on in the long run. Add on it was the first project of its kind for the entire company and to not expect a few hiccups along the road is a silly notion.

[SortaCreative]

^^^ Here's a question, when did Sky and WWE make their current agreement? Because up until a year ago WWE wasn't planning on their network being an online thing that would challenge current cable provider deals. They thought it was going to be a regular channel that cable providers would make available to their customers for added cost. That went out the window when most cable companies said thanks, but no thanks to the network - that's why it seemingly took years for the Network to launch anywhere, WWE were exhaustively chasing their first option. The whole business of the network has been extremely fluid and not easy to plan on in the long run. Add on it was the first project of its kind for the entire company and to not expect a few hiccups along the road is a silly notion.

You call a contract over sight a small hiccup?

[The Legend]

^^^ Here's a question, when did Sky and WWE make their current agreement? Because up until a year ago WWE wasn't planning on their network being an online thing that would challenge current cable provider deals. They thought it was going to be a regular channel that cable providers would make available to their customers for added cost. That went out the window when most cable companies said thanks, but no thanks to the network - that's why it seemingly took years for the Network to launch anywhere, WWE were exhaustively chasing their first option. The whole business of the network has been extremely fluid and not easy to plan on in the long run. Add on it was the first project of its kind for the entire company and to not expect a few hiccups along the road is a silly notion.

You call a contract over sight a small hiccup?

No, if you read the full thing, I said depending on when the contract was signed you couldn't even call it a contract oversight. Things change, plans change and that's all that was.

[PorkChop]

^^^ Here's a question, when did Sky and WWE make their current agreement? Because up until a year ago WWE wasn't planning on their network being an online thing that would challenge current cable provider deals. They thought it was going to be a regular channel that cable providers would make available to their customers for added cost. That went out the window when most cable companies said thanks, but no thanks to the network - that's why it seemingly took years for the Network to launch anywhere, WWE were exhaustively chasing their first option. The whole business of the network has been extremely fluid and not easy to plan on in the long run. Add on it was the first project of its kind for the entire company and to not expect a few hiccups along the road is a silly notion.

This isn't a 'hiccup'. A hiccup is a small mistake. This is far from that.

WWE told a whole fucking country that their network was going to be delivered at a certain date and time, and had hundreds of thousands of loyal fans who stay up until 4am to watch their shows waiting for them. All this time, WWE were putting out promos and countdowns for this moment, even though WWE had a deal with Sky which meant they couldn't deliver what they'd been promoting for fucking months.

They fucking pulled the plug 15 minutes before the network was supposed to go live - right before their UK tour. It's a huge middle finger in the face of fans - they guaranteed something which couldn't be delivered because of their own incompetence. It's a complete and utter joke, and they should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

This isn't a 'hiccup'.

[SortaCreative]

^^^ Here's a question, when did Sky and WWE make their current agreement? Because up until a year ago WWE wasn't planning on their network being an online thing that would challenge current cable provider deals. They thought it was going to be a regular channel that cable providers would make available to their customers for added cost. That went out the window when most cable companies said thanks, but no thanks to the network - that's why it seemingly took years for the Network to launch anywhere, WWE were exhaustively chasing their first option. The whole business of the network has been extremely fluid and not easy to plan on in the long run. Add on it was the first project of its kind for the entire company and to not expect a few hiccups along the road is a silly notion.

You call a contract over sight a small hiccup?

No, if you read the full thing, I said depending on when the contract was signed you couldn't even call it a contract oversight. Things change, plans change and that's all that was.

No but... you're doing what they're doing. You're not applying logic or rational thought.

If they knew, and it wasn't an oversight, why advertise a launch? Why not just say, it'll be out when the current agreement with Sky ends. Why not do anything but tell us it's out at 8pm, but then at 7:30pm say "lol nope."

[The Legend]

You can't control when somebody is going to sue you and file an injunction. Maybe WWE lawyers thought it was handled and then Sky lawyers filed a last ditch hail mary and the judge happens to rule in their favor. That's 100% out of WWE's control. You are the one failing to use logic and understanding of how these legal business situations work. You keep acting like WWE pulled the plug on their own accord, of course they didn't that doesn't make any sense they were forced into doing what they did.

[SortaCreative]

You can't control when somebody is going to sue you and file an injunction. Maybe WWE lawyers thought it was handled and then Sky lawyers filed a last ditch hail mary and the judge happens to rule in their favor. That's 100% out of WWE's control. You are the one failing to use logic and understanding of how these legal business situations work. You keep acting like WWE pulled the plug on their own accord, of course they didn't that doesn't make any sense they were forced into doing what they did.

No. That's perfectly within WWE's control. How? By actually doing it properly and making sure that they're AOK to launch before advertising!

If you don't know for sure, if you don't do your due diligence, if you don't go over the paper work, if you don't make sure your back door isn't open for a last second shut down notice, why would you advertise to launch?

You're acting as if WWE had no idea this might happen, when before you're completely for Sky asserting their right to exclusivity. WWE had to know they gave them exclusivity right? So which is it, are they moronic or just incompetent?

[PorkChop]

You can't control when somebody is going to sue you and file an injunction. Maybe WWE lawyers thought it was handled and then Sky lawyers filed a last ditch hail mary and the judge happens to rule in their favor. That's 100% out of WWE's control. You are the one failing to use logic and understanding of how these legal business situations work. You keep acting like WWE pulled the plug on their own accord, of course they didn't that doesn't make any sense they were forced into doing what they did.

No, no... it's you that isn't using logic or knowledge of business contracts.

You're acting like WWE didn't know they had a deal with Sky... which is basically you excusing their own incompetence. They should have known, and let down a whole country because of their own idiocy.

That's inexcusable.

[The Legend]

OK, none of us know exactly what happened in this deal between WWE, British courts and Sky, but let me tell you fully what I would bet happened due to my studies and dealing with media law in this country, granted I have less knowledge of the details of British courts, but most of the western world operates under pretty similar principles as guiding points.

I'm guessing Sky took WWE to court over the legality of the Network and their contract. They probably either had it out in court or they had some sort of bargaining session. The judge probably ruled in WWE's favor and said the matter was settled and gave WWE the green light to proceed with their plans and prepare to roll out the Network all over the United Kingdom. We good so far? Cause that's probably about the point where WWE announced a date and prapred full go for the release.

Here's where things get tricky. WWE probably thought everything was clear and they were good to go, because all judge's decisions are final. The problem with that is the fine print that follows that sentence: "Unless the losing party finds an appeals judge who decides to make that ruling a lot less final". So Sky shops around the different appeals courts until they find a judge that will rule in their favor - or at least to hear the case. They wait until the 11th hour to file the case officially so they can make what's happening now happen. Sky is playing all of you to get pissed off at WWE because in their minds if they are going to lose anyways they are going to take WWE down as many pegs as possible in England as well.

WWE didn't actively seek out a way to hurt you or make you feel offended that they don't want your money. They do want your money. You just happen to get to be the child caught in the middle of two divorcing parents bitterly fighting over who gets custody of you right now and there's nothing you can do about it until things get fully resolved.

[PorkChop]

I didn't really read that post because of all the "I'm guessing" and "probably" sentences. What you just wrote is pure speculation, but here are the facts.

- WWE had an exclusivity deal with Sky, regarding their PPV's
- WWE were going to breach this contract
- Because of this, WWE had to pull the Network, minutes before the launch, letting down hundreds of thousands of loyal fans who had waited months for this moment.

Also, Sky aren't "playing us to get pissed at WWE", they're simply requesting WWE abide to a contract that WWE themselves fucking agreed to. This is one of the lowest and most embarrassing things WWE have pulled, EVER. They should have known the legal issues with launching the Network but clearly didn't, because of their idiocy and incompetence.

Please stop trying to excuse their actions. Because you can't.

[PorkChop]

Also, we're not the child caught inbetween two divorcing parents.

Rather, we're the long-term girlfriend of WWE who has just proposed to us, only for us to find out that they're already married.

[The Legend]

I didn't really read that post because of all the "I'm guessing" and "probably" sentences. What you just wrote is pure speculation, but here are the facts.

The facts are you don't know the fact either. You and Taj are just speculating as to what happened as well and are doing so in a much more vengeful placement of blamed because you are pissed off sort of way, instead of being level headed about it.

Whatever, I'm done with this subject. I'm off to finish watching SummerSlam 1992 on the Network.

[PorkChop]

I didn't really read that post because of all the "I'm guessing" and "probably" sentences. What you just wrote is pure speculation, but here are the facts.

The facts are you don't know the fact either. You and Taj are just speculating as to what happened as well and are doing so in a much more vengeful placement of blamed because you are pissed off sort of way, instead of being level headed about it.

Whatever, I'm done with this subject. I'm off to finish watching SummerSlam 1992 on the Network.

Had to fit in that jibe about the Network, didn't you. Couldn't resist being a twat, I guess.

Funny you chose SummerSlam '92 to take that dig at us Brits though, seeing as it took place in London!

[The Legend]

I didn't really read that post because of all the "I'm guessing" and "probably" sentences. What you just wrote is pure speculation, but here are the facts.

The facts are you don't know the fact either. You and Taj are just speculating as to what happened as well and are doing so in a much more vengeful placement of blamed because you are pissed off sort of way, instead of being level headed about it.

Whatever, I'm done with this subject. I'm off to finish watching SummerSlam 1992 on the Network.

Had to fit in that jibe about the Network, didn't you. Couldn't resist being a twat, I guess.

Funny you chose SummerSlam '92 to take that dig at us Brits though, seeing as it took place in London!

So you are going to call me a twat after you in your last response had the indignity to say "I didn't read what you wrote", but let me respond to what I think you said and take little snippets of it out of context and without full understanding to make it into the most inflammatory thing I can possibly make it out to be. Nice touch.

Stay classy, and stop whining London.

[PorkChop]

Deary me.