WWE's new approach to outside talent

[Stopspot]

Found this article which brought up some very interesting statistics considering WWE's recently changed approach to talent coming in from outside of the WWE. This article mainly focuses on Japanese/Asian talent. But a lot of it can be found in the push of talent with a non WWE background over all.

If you watched the WWE’s SummerSlam festivities this past Sunday, there’s a good chance you — like some in the WWE locker room — came away from the experience a bit perplexed or disgusted about Brock “The Beast” Lesnar splitting Randy Orton’s head open. I’m with you 100 percent.

But behind that grotesque display, a fascinating story is unfolding. The WWE has labeled this the “New Era,” a change driven by a brand split and an influx of new talent from the “WWE Superstars” series — stars such as AJ Styles (who just beat up John Cena) and his sometimes-comrades Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows of The Club (who just beat the reigning tag-team champions, albeit by disqualification), and Finn Balor (who just won the WWE Universal Championship against longtime WWE golden boy Seth Rollins).

And what do these guys all have in common, aside from each having won on Sunday? Japan.

Read the full article here.

 

[Snowman1]

An odd thing to consider here, too, is the rise of the WWE Network. Instead of trying desperately to draw in random people to plunk down $50 on a PPV while wrestling fans stream the event, it's so much easier for a product with a library and separate shows that cater to hardcore fans that catering to us can pay big dividends. Us talking about OMG THAT RAW AFTER THE DRAFT WAS SOOOOOOOOO GOOD! Is by far the most effective advertisement you can make for pro wrestling and talking in newer fans, maybe getting people who've "made up their minds" to give it a shot... Iremember times in 2014 where even among other wrestling fans you felt ashamed to watch Raw... With many shows recently it's felt like not watching has left you missing out. It was a trend WWE desperately needed to change.

Anyway to your point, as they've seen time and time again, that WWE can use other promotions' existences to their advantage. In the US they aren't competing with New Japan or anyone, they're the only real show in town. Bring in Styles, Nakamura, Gallows and Anderson, forget about WWE's treatment of Asians, as people will BUZZ for these guys. People talk about how awesome it'll be to see these guys at their first Wrestlemania, even if they've seen 2 Nakamura matches they're the hugest fans of this. They arrive, the big stars of Styles/Nak (and Asuka) kick serious ass, and they can promote New Japan. Go ahead and get a World subscription, check out what they've got, and OMG THIS KOTA IBUSHI GUY IS NUTS!!! This guy's doing high-flying stuff I can't even imag... Holy mother of... He's in the Cruiserweight Classic! LET EVERYONE KNOW IT'S THE BEST THING EVER

From a business standpoint, it's the best thing you can possibly do. As much as I love watching a guy like Mojo Rawley go from zero to hero on NXT TV, he never got 1/100th of the press, excitement, eyeballs, or buzz on the product as Meltzer reporting the latest signing from New Japan. Even keeping their names! (Poor Prince Devitt )

Also it's cool to see how well they're adapting to the style

 

[Prince Bálor]

So, Kenny Omega to join next, right?