*UPDATE* WWE Possibly Blocking TNA from Arenas

[Shockage]

Source: PWInsider.com


With TNA Impact Wrestling taking their show on the road, WWE has began contacting a number of major arenas to put holds on them for future dates. At least one person within WWE thinks that if TNA begins going on the road every Thursday, WWE may need to change their touring schedule to Thursday, Friday and Saturday for at least one of the brands.

There is internal talk that WWE will put some arena dates on hold to make sure TNA doesn’t get into them. WWE also may be enforcing some of their non-compete clauses so TNA can’t run in the same buildings they do.

[Mighty Boosh]

Lame. WWE are playing cheap here, they're the bigger company, just man up and take it as it comes. You wouldn't have a problem WWE if you're PRODUCT WERE ANY GOOD

It's just plain uncool to deliberately step in a try to hold TNA's progress back like this

[The Indy Junkie]

Well I think we may need to check WWE's backs for a yellow streak.

[flame3169118]

This is a cowardly move, straight and simple

[Shockage]

The WWF did similar tactics in the 80s, paying arenas and tv networks more money to block their competition.

[metfan51]

If it's true, TNA should be flattered that McMahon considers them competition.

[Shockage]

[AJ]

So much for anti-Bullying, huh?

[Maximo]

The choices of Miz, CM Punk and John Cena for the anti bullying video are just crazy. Sheamus looks way into it though.

[Goldie79]

I guess the WWE don't like taking chances.
TNA is nowhere near the size WCW was... even when WCW was on its last legs. They are not a threat at all... maybe a small nuisance but thats it.

I'm surprised that they even draw shows in the arenas given that TNA house/TV shows draw audiences of around 1000, and WWE draws several thousand (well they did when business wasn't so bad! lol).
I would have assumed that TNA booked smaller venues but must be wrong if WWE have taken this measure

[Shockage]

Movement and circulation is a threat regardless, I think the WWE want to prevent a ball of snow from becoming an avalanche.

The success of TNA's international exposure in England, Australia and NZ is a threat because more people are realising that there's an alternative out there. International fans are a lot more appreciative and open minded once they see other wrestlers they've never heard of before like AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe. They're not superficial about these guys not being WWE wrestlers, and that can make them more appealing.

[Darth Shizzel]

Smart move by the E but at last there starting to acknowledge competition meaning Vince gets the creative brain going and starts to get wrestlers getting a bit looser out there and develop characters better.

[RoughRoad]

'Kill your competition before it starts to grow.' That's why WWE is an empire today!!

[Shockage]

Darth & Rough, you lose out in the end because it shows that you don't know any better and you accept that Vince McMahon doesn't want you to. His quest is to snuff out other wrestling organizations that has the ability to make you chang your way of thinking while also putting other wrestlers out of work. It reminds me of Al Quaeda.

[Shockage]

Source: F4WOnline.com


We noted earlier that WWE has contacted a number of arenas to secure dates and will likely be using some of their non-compete clauses to prevent TNA from running those arenas with the new Impact Wrestling tapings schedule. WWE has booked a number of mid-size arenas including the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia, the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, and the First Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado. WWE will be running those buildings in their markets instead of the major arenas they usually run in.

[Joseph_D]

It's called competition Shocky. If TNA wants to compete with WWE (and clearly, they do), then they'll have to expect WWE to make moves to compete with them also. Just because the WWE is the market leader doesn't mean they should sit back and wait until they lose market share, even in small amounts. Business is business.

[Shockage]

Competition is fine, but from a consumer point of view, if I'm near an arena that TNA can't get into because they've been blocked, then I'd either give up and settle for the WWE or go out of my way financially to travel to a city where TNA can get into. From that scenario it would prove my loyalty and my need to see TNA, but from my end the WWE are trying to put me out of pocket as well. Thank goodness people saw through Linda McMahon.

[TheGame]

this reminds me of a case that happened here in the UK about the supermarket Tesco's.
Tesco's were buying up loads of available land around the country for what people initially thought was for building more stores, but it turned out they were simply buying up the land just so their competitors couldn't buy it themselves and increase their market share.

what WWE are doing is basically the same, and it is a sound strategy, if a little jerk-ish of them. it's like what's been said already in the thread, business is business.

[Shockage]

Vince had that philosophy as he raided the territories during the 80's, only to take it personally when Eric Bischoff did the same to him during the Monday Night Wars, major hypocrisy.

[wolfie27]

If they block TNA from using venues...would that not fall under monopolizing of some sort...and if so...isn't that illegal? I don't think the WWE should have the right to block anyone.Does McDonald's say that Burger King isn't allowed on the same block as them? No...because they don't have the right to do it and neither should Vince.

[Shockage]

A couple of nights ago, late into the night I drove to McDonalds to get something to eat. I couldn't be stuffed cooking and I wanted to go to the nearest food chain. I can't stand McDonalds and I would've preferred Wendys, but Wendys was out of my way, as well as McDs is 24/7 (reason why my meal tasted a lot worse) and Wendys closes at midnight. In my area of South Auckland, there are about 7 McDonalds chains and only 3 Wendys. I much prefer Wendy's delicious fries and their superior burgers, but like I said, it was late, and the nearest Wendys was just out of my way. I settled for a crap meal, but it filled my stomach, overall I wasn't satisfied. That's how I feel about WWE.

[Goldie79]

Vince had that philosophy as he raided the territories during the 80's, only to take it personally when Eric Bischoff did the same to him during the Monday Night Wars, major hypocrisy.

Heres an example:

Vince on the 'Legacy of the AWA' DVD when he raided their talent and promoted shows in their territory in the 80s.
'I don't think its wrong...Thats called compertition'

Vince on the Monday Night Wars DVD commenting on Eric Bsichoffs tactics.
I always had the philosophy that you should only help yourself, and not hurt the other guy.... Ted... well he had a different philosophy!'


At the height of the 90s WWE vs WCW war... Vince even tried to put himself over as the 3rd generation promoter protecting his family business from the evil billionaire Ted Turner.
And Vince isn't an evil billionaire? lol

[Shockage]

I'll quote you on FB

[Mighty Boosh]

Smart move by the E but at last there starting to acknowledge competition meaning Vince gets the creative brain going and starts to get wrestlers getting a bit looser out there and develop characters better.

He's not getting his creative brain flowing though, he's old, he's soft and he's relying on dirty underhanded tactics.

[Joseph_D]

It's not monopolizing anything. Again, it's competition. It's business.
WWE can run wherever they wish, and if they wish to get a jump on TNA by getting arena bookings before TNA can, it's a smart thing to do. Is it "jerk-ish"? Sure... but professional wrestling isn't often a friendly business. Remember, the WWE once told Pay Per View outlets that if they ran NWA-WCW Pay Per Views, particularly Starrcade instead of Surivivor Series, that they wouldn't be allowed to broadcast WrestleMania. WCW responded by moving Starrcade to December, and running the first Clash of the Champions on TBS the same date as WrestleMania IV on PPV, and they got good ratings. For years, NWA-WCW was able to adapt and come up with something else which would force the WWF to do the same.

If TNA can't adapt and come up with another idea, then they deserve what they get. Plain and simple.