On a recent edition of his “The ARN Show” podcast, Arn Anderson revealed why WCW stopped running television events and moving 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.”
You can keep up with all your wrestling news right here on eWrestlingNews.com. Or, you can follow us over on our Twitter and Facebook pages.
In the world of professional wrestling, World Championship Wrestling (WCW) holds a significant place in history. During its heyday, WCW was known for its larger-than-life characters, intense rivalries, and captivating storylines. However, in July 1993, WCW made a significant change by stopping live events and moving its tapings to Disney Studios. This decision had both positive and negative implications for the company.
One of the main reasons behind WCW’s shift to Disney Studios was the opportunity for wrestlers and staff to have a more relaxed working environment. By relocating to Disney Studios, WCW talent could bring their families along and turn the tapings into a family vacation. While the wrestlers were busy filming multiple shows a day, their families could enjoy the theme parks and soak up the sun. This arrangement eliminated the need for constant travel and provided a more 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 fans are passionate and engaged, the audience at Disney Studios consisted of park visitors who may not have been wrestling fans. This meant that the crowd’s reactions might not be as authentic or enthusiastic as desired. Arn Anderson, a former WCW wrestler, expressed his worries about the lack of genuine fan reactions and the potential negative impact it could have on the overall show.
Despite these concerns, WCW was able to continue with studio shows because of the wrestlers’ guaranteed contracts. In this unique situation, Turner Broadcasting, which owned WCW, was essentially paying itself for the television programming. This allowed WCW to prioritize the quality of the show over live event gate receipts. Anderson acknowledged that this arrangement would not have been possible without Turner’s ownership of both the TV station and the wrestling company.
While studio shows provided a different experience for both wrestlers and fans, Anderson emphasized the importance of live events. He recognized that wrestling fans in various cities across the country were accustomed to having live shows every few months. By shifting to studio tapings, WCW was neglecting these loyal fans who craved the energy and excitement of a live event. Anderson believed that the presence of thousands of passionate fans in an arena created a unique atmosphere that couldn’t be replicated in a studio setting.
Ultimately, WCW’s decision to stop running live events and move its tapings to Disney Studios had its pros and cons. On one hand, it provided a more relaxed working environment for the wrestlers and allowed them to spend time with their families. On the other hand, it compromised the authenticity of fan reactions and deprived wrestling enthusiasts in various cities of live shows. WCW would eventually return to running live events, recognizing the importance of engaging with passionate fans and delivering a unique experience that only live events can provide.
In conclusion, WCW’s move to Disney Studios in July 1993 marked a significant shift in the company’s operations. While it offered certain advantages, such as a more family-friendly working environment, it also presented challenges in terms of audience reactions and neglecting loyal wrestling fans. The decision highlighted the importance of live events in the wrestling industry and the unique atmosphere they create.