Wrestling Observer Newsletter Update

WCW officials took a huge gamble at their TV tapings that, as press time, looks to be paying off. TV tapings are historically linked to pro wrestling since the days of the territories. It wasn't until the mid-90s that live, episodic television took off with the advent of the Monday Night Wars between WCW with Nitro and WWF with RAW. At the TV tapings last Saturday, WCW issued binding non-disclosure agreements to anyone who wanted to be there. There were a few who opted not to sign the agreement that were given full refunds. Others opted in and watched the show.

Additionally, we - and many web sites and newsletter writers like us - were presented with a deal late Friday from WCW officials. Knowing that, regardless of the non-disclosure agreement, somebody there would send out the results, WCW took a proactive stance and made deals with multiple web site owners and writers to not publish spoilers. The only major web sites to go through with the deal were ours and The Pro Wrestling Torch. As a result, we will have interviews with WCW employees live this month for you.

We mentioned as soon as we heard that unless WCW were to take legal action against violation of the non-disclosure agreement, it would be all for nothing. And, in fact, on Sunday afternoon the first web site to publish spoilers ended up being Dave Scherer's Pro Wrestling Insider. From there, multiple web sites began posting results. Monday was a holiday, but Tuesday morning Dave Scherer was able to meet - at his home - WCW lawyers and police officers. An investigation is ongoing and they are tracking down any individuals they can that released the information. They have several names already (one of which was released to them from us). The early expectation is that they into prosecute any individual who violated the terms of the non-disclosure agreement to the full extent of the law. I spoke with WCW officials on the phone and was told, "We plan to send a firm message here and now so that we can nip this in the bud."

It's unprecedented the steps they've taken to prevent spoilers being released to the Internet. With their show airing on the Internet, they stand only to make profit from live events, merchandise sales (of which is on the way shortly), and iPPV revenue. It will be interesting to see what they do, if anything, to combat piracy.


- The TV tapings last Saturday were said to have been very successful as far as getting new talent over. In particular, Davey Richards is said to have come off as a huge star.

- A difference in TV and the initial iPPV is that John Layfield (JBL in WWE) has been brought in to do commentary for the company in place of Austin Aries. Layfield actually announced the change on his Twitter Saturday morning. He's said to be playing a role more similar to Joe Rogan than anyone else, where he supports the people he likes versus being a clear-cut heel.

- Look at the taping results and the announced TV show opener and just the general idea of what we've been told about the show, it would seem that the show was taped out of order. TNA has done similar things in the past which ended up pretty badly. Dave Lagana, WCW's booker at this point, is spearheading the anti-spoiler movement and this would be part of that.

- The internal reaction to Kurt Angle's arrest is not positive. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out since the next WCW show won't be for another month.

- The next TV taping will be at the beginning of October and the next iPPV will be at the end of October, tentatively titled "Halloween Havoc."

- According to this Twitter, Austin Aries is still a contracted employee for WCW, and he assures his fans that they still have plans for him.

- CM Punk was very instrumental in laying out matches with younger talent at the taping. He also did an unannounced, free autograph signing prior to the show. Midway through it he stood up and walked out saying he was too good for this crap. Fans still seemed to love him.