Sunday, February 23, 2014

WWE Network FAQ


1. What is WWE Network?
2. How much will a subscription to WWE Network cost?
3. How do I purchase WWE Network?
4. When can I buy WWE Network?
5. When will WWE Network be available?
6. What devices will WWE Network be available on?
7. If I already have the WWE App, do I need to update it to watch WWE Network?
8. How can I pay for WWE Network?
9. How and when will I be billed for WWE Network?
10. What content will I find on WWE Network?
11. Will WrestleMania be available as a part of this subscription?
12. Will encores of Raw, SmackDown and Main Event be on WWE Network?
13. Will Pay-Per-View events still be available outside WWE Network?
14. Will classic WWE content be available on WWE Network?
15. Will "WWE Superstars" and NXT air on WWE Network?
16. Will Raw, SmackDown and Main Event move to WWE Network?
17. Will shows on WWE Network be available in HD?
18. Will shows on WWE Network be available in Spanish?
19. Will shows be closed captioned?
20. Will WWE Network also be available through my cable or satellite provider?
21. Will all of the programming that premieres on WWE Network also be available via on demand?
22. How quickly will content that premieres on WWE Network be made available on demand?
23. Does WWE Network programming contain advertisements?
24. Is the entire WWE library available through on demand?
25. Will WWE Network be available internationally?
26. Will all content on WWE Network be PG?
27. Can I set up parental controls on the WWE Network?
28. Who can I call or email today if I have questions?
1. What is WWE Network?
WWE Network is a 24/7 streaming service with both scheduled programming and an on-demand library. WWE Network will include all 12 WWE live pay-per-view events including WrestleMania 30, groundbreaking original series, reality shows and documentaries, and the most comprehensive video-on-demand library featuring all WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-views and classic matches uncut and uncensored as well as the Best of Raw and SmackDown. Additional programming, including a live daily studio show coming this summer, and video-on-demand content will be added regularly.

2. How much will a subscription to WWE Network cost?
A monthly subscription to WWE Network is $9.99 per month (plus tax where applicable) with a 6-month commitment.

3. How do I purchase WWE Network?
To subscribe to WWE Network, go to WWE.com beginning Monday, February 24 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
4When can I buy WWE Network?
Monday, February 24 at 9:00 a.m. ET.

5. When will WWE Network be available?
Live programming on WWE Network will begin on Monday, February 24 at 9:00 a.m. ET.  Video-on-demand programming will be available immediately at 9:00 a.m. ET.

6. What devices will WWE Network be available on?
WWE Network will be available on desktops and laptops via WWE.com. On February 24, WWE Network will also be available through the WWE App on: Amazon’s Kindle Fire devices; Android devices such as Samsung Galaxy; iOS devices such as Apple iPad and iPhone; Roku 2 & 3 streaming devices; Sony PlayStation® 3 and Sony PlayStation® 4; and Xbox 360. Availability on additional devices, including Xbox One and select Smart TVs, will follow this summer.  For more information, go to wwe.com/devices.
7. If I already have the WWE App, do I need to update it to watch WWE Network?
The WWE App will automatically update on iOS and Android-powered mobile devices to play WWE Network. To watch on connected devices such as Roku 2 & 3 streaming devices, Sony PlayStation® 3 and Sony PlayStation® 4 and Xbox 360, you must download the new WWE App, which will be available on Monday, February 24.
8. How can I pay for WWE Network?
WWE Network can be paid for with a credit card (e.g. American Express, Discover, Master Card, Visa) or through a Pay Pal account.
9. How and when will I be billed for WWE Network?
You will automatically be billed $9.99 every month (plus tax where applicable). The charge will show up on your bill as “WWE Network Subscription.”
10. What content will I find on WWE Network?
WWE Network is a 24/7 streaming service with both scheduled programming and an on-demand library.  WWE Network will include all 12 WWE live pay-per-view events including WrestleMania 30, groundbreaking original series, reality shows and documentaries, and the most comprehensive video-on-demand library featuring all WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-views and classic matches uncut and uncensored as well as the Best of Raw and SmackDown.  Additional programming, including a live daily studio show coming this summer, and video-on-demand content will be added regularly.

11. Will WrestleMania be available as a part of this subscription?
Yes, WrestleMania is included with your subscription.

12. Will encores of Raw, SmackDown and Main Event be on WWE Network?
The Best of Raw and SmackDown from 2012 and 2013 will be available on WWE Network.

13. Will Pay-Per-View events still be available outside WWE Network?
Yes, WWE will continue to offer individual pay-per-view events to TV providers.  Please call your local cable or satellite provider for availability.

14. Will classic WWE content be available on WWE Network?
Yes, your WWE Network subscription will include access to the most comprehensive video-on-demand library featuring all WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-views and classic matches uncut and uncensored as well as the Best of Raw and SmackDown.  Additional content will be added regularly.

15.  Will "WWE Superstars" and NXT air on WWE Network?
Yes, premiere episodes of Superstars and NXT will air on WWE Network.

16. Will Raw, SmackDown and Main Event move to WWE Network?
No, Raw, SmackDown and Main Event will continue to air on their current networks – USA, Syfy and ION television, respectively.

17. Will shows on WWE Network be available in HD?
Yes, all programming on the WWE Network will be available in HD.
18. Will shows on WWE Network be available in Spanish?
Live pay-per-views will be available in Spanish.  All other programming will be presented in English.
19. Will shows be closed captioned?
Yes.
20. Will WWE Network also be available through my cable or satellite provider?
No, WWE Network is delivered directly to fans through over-the-top digital distribution on the following devices: desktops and laptops via WWE.com; through the WWE App on: Amazon’s Kindle Fire devices; Android devices such as Samsung Galaxy; iOS devices such as Apple iPad and iPhone; Roku 2 & 3 streaming devices; Sony PlayStation® 3 and Sony PlayStation® 4; and Xbox 360. Availability on additional devices, including Xbox One and select Smart TVs, will follow this summer

21. Will all of the programming that premieres on WWE Network also be available via on demand?  
Yes, all programming that premieres on the network will become immediately available in the video-on-demand library.

22. How quickly will content that premieres on WWE Network be made available on demand?
Content that premieres on WWE Network will be available on demand immediately after it airs.

23. Does WWE Network programming contain advertisements?
Most WWE programming on WWE Network is commercial-free. However, there will be limited promotional content and advertising within and between select programs.

24. Is the entire WWE library available through on demand?
WWE Network will launch with more than 1,000 hours of incredible on-demand content, including all WWE, WCW and ECW Pay-Per-Views and original programming. New, on-demand content will be added regularly.

25. Will WWE Network be available internationally?
Beginning Monday, February 24, 2014 WWE Network will only be available in the United States. WWE Network is scheduled to launch in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Nordics by the end of 2014/early 2015.
26. Will all content on WWE Network be PG?
WWE Network will contain a range of programming suitable for various audiences.  Content rated TV-14 or TV-MA will be preceded by appropriate advisory messages recommending viewer discretion.  Parental controls will be available for on-demand content.
27. Can I set up parental controls on the WWE Network?
Yes, parents will have the ability to block content that is rated TV-14 and TV-MA for on-demand content only.  Viewer discretion is advised for live 24/7 streaming programming.

28. Who can I call or email today if I have questions?
Customer Service support will be available beginning Monday, February 24 at 9:00 a.m. ET by calling 1-866-308-5684 or emailing NetworkSupport@wwenetwork.com. Additionally, searchable Frequently Asked Questions and live chat service will be offered starting February 24.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Hulk Hogan Returns to WWE RAW Monday Night


Monday Night it's official: The "Immortal" Hulk Hogan returns home to the WWE! 

Who Owns The "Sin Cara" Name: Luis Urive or the WWE?

by Brian Phelps
In the wake of WWE releasing the original Sin Cara (Luis Urive), a new legal battle is brewing. WWE allegedly claims that they own the rights to the "Sin Cara" name. Luis Urive (the man who played the original "Sin Cara" character) allegedly also claims to own the rights to the "Sin Cara" name. So... who is right?

This is a very interesting and potentially messy situation. I believe that if I had to say whose side I was on it would have to be Luis Urive.

When Luis Urive was signed to the WWE, he had been previously wrestling under the name Mistico. The WWE allegedly trademarked the name "Sin Cara" in the United States, but did not trademark the name in Mexico. Another organization trademarked the "Sin Cara" name in Mexico. 

When the Sin Cara character debuted in the WWE, it visually retained much of the Mistico persona. The mask and outfit closely resembled the Mistico character. The WWE also carried over events and background information from Luis Urive's Mistico character to the new Sin Cara character. For instance, the WWE commentators would comment that Sin Cara was a legend in Mexico and that he even had his own comic book. These two details are not true about the Sin Cara character. They took those details from Luis Urive's real life and applied them to Sin Cara. 

When the WWE released Luis Urive (the man who plays Sin Cara), they decided to continue the Sin Cara character using a different man under the mask (Hunico). The problem with this is that the WWE continued to use details from Luis Urive's life (his comic book and legendary status in Mexico) to describe Hunico even though Luis Urive was no longer under the mask. This means that they were allegedly stealing details from Luis Urive's life and applying them to Hunico. That would be like bringing in another man to play Shawn Michaels and giving him details from Shawn Michaels real life. The other problem is that the WWE continues to use Sin Cara for Make-A-Wish requests even though it's not the "real" Sin Cara. I'm sure some of those children feel duped because they wanted to see the real Sin Cara Luis Urive and not Hunico. 

There are a lot of interesting aspects about this situation that make this very dicey. WWE is giving Hunico credit for Mistico's accomplishments. Hunico has inherited 4.4 million Facebook likes which still have Mistico's image on the page. 

I've been told by the Mexican fan base that they feel like WWE is disrespecting Luis Urive and the Mistico character by implying to fans that Hunico as Sin Cara is the same guy that played Mistico. They feel that the WWE is taking Luis Urive's identity and claiming it as Hunico's. 

Many wrestlers have won the right or retained the right to use their performing names outside of the WWE. The Ultimate Warrior fought the WWE in court for the right to use the Warrior name, face paint, and mannerisms and won. I have a feeling that this legal battle is just getting started. 


Wednesday, February 19, 2014

FAQ: Who Came Up With The Elimination Chamber in WWE?


Answer: Storyline wise (kayfabe) the idea was from Eric Bischoff's on-screen character, but it was actually Triple H who legitimately came up with the idea backstage behind the scenes. 

How the Undertaker's Streak "Jumped the Shark"

by Brian Phelps

It's Wrestlemania season again, and with it the return of the Undertaker's streak. Now, I have absolutely no issue with the Undertaker. What I do have a problem with is the fact that "The Streak" has now overshadowed Wrestlemania itself. 

Wrestlemania was NEVER supposed to be about an undefeated streak. Wrestlemania was supposed to be where legends were born. Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated Shawn Michaels to win his first WWF Title. The modern John Cena character was born when he defeated JBL for the WWE Championship a decade ago. Batista was born at that same event by overcoming Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship. If you go way back the Ultimate Warrior became immortalized with "The Ultimate Challenge" where he defeated Hulk Hogan in a Champion vs Champion match. Again, Wrestlemania was supposed to be where legends are born. Now it's become the place where legends are MAINTAINED. "The Showcase of the Immortals" has now become "The Showcase of the Has Beens".  

Now, we all know the "Streak" is nothing but a blown out of proportion, overhyped gimmick match with the same result every year. You can take issue with that statement all you want, but it's the truth. The big problem now is the gimmick of the streak match actually overshadows the rest of the card. People used to buy Wrestlemania for the Heavyweight Title match. They bought it to see Ultimate Warrior vs Hogan, Steve Austin vs Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan vs Randy Savage. Now, the WWE has made the "Streak" the selling point of Wrestlemania. 

Fact is, Shawn Michaels should've ended the streak a few years ago because the quality of the streak match has steadily gone down a few notches since then. The matches haven't been bad, but they haven't lived up to the Shawn Michaels matches. On top of that, with each passing year the Undertaker becomes older and more frail. Last time we saw Undertaker, his hairline had receded so much that he shaved his head and had a small stomach pooch and was getting destroyed by the Shield on RAW. 

The Undertaker is starting to resemble the wrestling equivalent of Michael Jordan on the Washington Wizards - an all-time great that stuck around too long. I don't want to remember the Undertaker this way. The Streak to me "jumped the shark" when they kept it going after the Shawn Michaels matches.

This year there's been talk of a rehashed feud (another issue with Wrestlemania) between Brock Lesnar and the Undertaker. I've been amazed by the fact that a lot of the criticism has been that people are afraid that Brock Lesnar works too rough and could hurt the Undertaker. The other criticism is that at almost 50 years old that it's just laughably unbelievable that the Undertaker could beat a Brock Lesnar fresh off a UFC run where he captured the UFC Heavyweight Title. I never thought I'd see the day when the Undertaker would be called too frail to fight another wrestler. 

Some people might argue that the "Streak" match helps elevate other younger wrestlers to new heights, but they'd be wrong. Why? Because over the course of the last 5 Wrestlemanias, The Undertaker has not faced young up-n-comers. The Undertaker has fought Shawn Michaels twice, Triple H twice, and CM Punk. All 3 of those wrestlers were already "over" long before their respective "streak" matches. CM Punk had already been over for 2 years, Shawn and Triple H had been over for nearly 20 years. The Undertaker hasn't elevated anyone over since what... Edge at Wrestlemania 24? That's 6 years ago. What have you done for me lately? If you really examine the Undertaker's "Streak List", nearly all of the wrestlers he fought were already over before hand. Think about it. Jimmy Snuka, Sycho Sid, Jake Roberts, Shawn Michaels, King Kong Bundy, Batista, Triple H were all already over before they challenged the "Streak". 

Now since the Undertaker only wrestles once a year, WWE Creative is running out of ways to spark new feuds. How can you feud with a guy that only wrestles once a year? It was evident last year when the WWE lazily threw together Punk's match with the Undertaker. Three or Four guys wanted to fight the Undertaker and had a match to decide who would fight Undertaker. They had to stoop to using Paul Bearer's death to spark a feud. What would WWE have done if Paul Bearer had not passed away? There would have been no real way to start a feud with the Undertaker because he's never there. 

In closing, the "Streak" match now overshadows the rest of the card, it takes a top shelf match away from up-n-coming stars like Ziggler and Sandow, and contributes to the detrimental "Part-Timers" monopolization of the main events. The "Streak" jumped the shark 4 years ago at Wrestlemania 26 when Shawn Michaels lost the second time. Shawn should have won the second encounter and both men should've walked away with a fitting end to both of their careers. Now, we get to look forward to a rapidly diminishing and past his prime Undertaker at nearly 50 years old trying to convince us he can credibly beat up guys 15 and 20 years younger than him. 

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Shawn Michaels: Wrestler or Bait Shop Employee?

by Brian Phelps

Has anyone else noticed Shawn Michaels attire whenever he shows up on WWE the last few years? I understand that he is retired, but I wish he had the courtesy to show up at least resembling a professional wrestler.

I can't stand it when he comes out in a pair of shredded jeans and some Wal-Mart hunting shirt. It's like he can't be bothered to actually show up looking like a wrestler.

C'mon, at least look the part. It looks so lazy and unprofessional. Rowdy Roddy Piper is retired, but you don't see him coming out in hunting clothes. Why? Because he's still Rowdy Roddy Piper, and when you commit to making an appearance for WWE and the fans then you need to fully commit and look the part.

I'm not saying he has to wear the chaps and vest, but at least wear a pair of nice jeans and a WWE Shawn Michaels t-shirt.

He is the first semi-retired wrestler I've seen that can't be bothered to show up in wrestling gear. Can you imagine Michael Jordan showing up to an NBA event in jogging pants?

When he comes out to the ring now, he doesn't look like a wrestler anymore. He looks like the register guy at a bait shop. He looks really unprofessional.

How unprofessional would it be if the Ultimate Warrior returned on RAW and cut a promo wearing a Hawaiian shirt?

I'll give Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair credit where it's due. Hulk Hogan ALWAYS maintains his look. He always comes to work looking like... well... Hulk Hogan. Same with Flair.

I understand Michaels is retired, but if he's going to keep showing up on RAW he needs to come to work looking like a professional wrestler and less like he's trying to sell fish hooks and stink bait. 

Humor: Hulk Hogan and Sgt. Slaughter Radio Shack Commercial