On a recent edition of his “The ARN Show” podcast, Arn Anderson revealed why WCW stopped running television events and moved its tapings to Disney Studios in July 1993.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On WCW stopping live events and holding studio shows at Disney Studios: “Because everybody took the opportunity and made it a family vacation. You brought the family down there, and while we were doing three shows or four shows a day for any number of days, sometimes what, a week? We would be down there and we would be filming that many shows. I mean, they’re doing the parks and laying out in the sun. We get to see them for dinner at night. We get to see them for just a minute in the mornings before we would go to the studios. And there was no driving and no flying. And for the guys, it was awesome.”
On any concerns with not traveling to shows: “Well, I worry a lot about one of the things that is so important to what we do: honest, real reactions from the fans. And these weren’t necessarily wrestling fans that were coming to these shows. This was just like another ride at the park that day. They would come in for an hour, they would watch a one-hour show. They would take them out of the building, we would bring a fresh crowd in. They weren’t — they were just people. They could have been people from all around the world who had never seen a wrestling match. And I think I was worried that the reaction that we would get from them would hurt the overall show, because there’s nothing worse than piping in a bunch of screaming and yelling and booing. And you’re looking at the people sitting there and they’re not doing anything. Yeah, that’s terrible.”
On WCW stars not being worried about house show gates because of guaranteed deals: “So well, you got away with it because everybody was on guaranteed contracts. So it didn’t matter what the house was. And you were kind of — Turner was paying himself. He owned the TV station, he owned the show. He owned the wrestling company. So he was paying himself. You could get away with it that way. You couldn’t have done it if you had an outside television and you weren’t getting that revenue from the live events.”
On the importance of live events: “Great observation. And the reality is, for the cities around the country that had gotten wrestling and were used to getting a show every three months or whatever, it may be for months to months, the great cities, the Atlanta’s, the Jacksonville, Florida’s, the Greensboro’s, you know, all the great wrestling cities. You name them Chicago, Philadelphia, you know, name them. They’re not getting shows. And you cannot neglect wrestling fans. They want — the reason wrestling has never died Paul, is because the fans don’t want it dead. That’s a pure, simple fact. The reality is 5,000 to 10,000 live screaming fans is a different experience than a studio TV match.”
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In the world of professional wrestling, WCW (World Championship Wrestling) holds a significant place in history. During its peak in the 1990s, WCW became a major competitor to the then-dominant WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). One interesting aspect of WCW’s history is its decision to stop running live events and instead hold studio shows at Disney Studios in July 1993. This move had both advantages and disadvantages for the promotion.
One of the main reasons behind WCW’s decision to move its tapings to Disney Studios was the opportunity it provided for wrestlers and their families to enjoy a vacation. By bringing their families along, the wrestlers could combine work and leisure. While filming three to four shows a day for several days, the wrestlers’ families could explore the Disney parks and enjoy the sunny Florida weather. This arrangement eliminated the need for long drives or flights, making it a convenient and enjoyable experience for the wrestlers.
However, there were concerns about the impact on the audience’s reactions during these studio shows. Unlike traditional wrestling events where passionate fans attend specifically to watch wrestling, the audience at Disney Studios consisted of park visitors who may not have been wrestling fans. For them, attending a wrestling show was just another attraction at the park. This raised concerns about whether their lack of familiarity with wrestling would result in subdued reactions, which could negatively affect the overall show experience. The absence of genuine crowd reactions can be detrimental to the atmosphere and excitement of a wrestling event.
Despite these concerns, WCW was able to proceed with studio shows without worrying about house show gates. This was because most WCW wrestlers had guaranteed contracts, meaning they were paid regardless of attendance numbers or ticket sales. WCW was owned by Ted Turner, who also owned the TV station airing the promotion’s shows. This allowed WCW to rely on television revenue rather than live event income. If WCW had been dependent on live event revenue from external sources, the decision to stop running live events might not have been feasible.
While the move to Disney Studios provided certain advantages, it also highlighted the importance of live events for wrestling fans. Wrestling fans in cities that were accustomed to regular live shows, such as Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Greensboro, were left without the opportunity to experience live wrestling events for extended periods. The energy and atmosphere of a live event with thousands of passionate fans cannot be replicated in a studio setting. Live events create a unique connection between the wrestlers and the audience, enhancing the overall experience for both parties.
In conclusion, WCW’s decision to stop running live events and hold studio shows at Disney Studios in July 1993 had its pros and cons. While it allowed wrestlers and their families to enjoy a combined vacation and work experience, there were concerns about the audience’s reactions and the absence of genuine crowd energy. The move was made possible by WCW’s guaranteed contracts and reliance on television revenue. However, it also highlighted the importance of live events for wrestling fans and the unique atmosphere they create.