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This is not the final word on this story, nor is this as cut and dry as the WWF simply taking over exactly where WCW left off. Not everybody on the WCW roster is making the jump, for instance. And the WWF might even be ceding some of its established TV slots to the new WCW, impacting not just one, but both, products.
Here's a quick list of rumored developments that we can look for:
- While no one making seven figures in WCW will be retained under their present deals, the WWF is in contact with select high-paid stars about accepting restructured incentive-based contracts. For instance, both Sting and Goldberg have been contacted about this, and both have responded positively.
- The cheaper talent will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but the thinking at present time is that most of the younger guys will be kept on, while mid-priced veterans who have a (negative) history with the WWF may be in trouble.
- Ric Flair's been in contact with Vince McMahon and will be a big part of this deal. As the "CEO" of WCW, the mere nature of his character is every bit as important to telling a compelling story as his remarkable in-ring and verbal skills.
- Kevin Nash has not been in direct touch with Vince, but has been told by those lower on the totem pole that he would be expected to work full time (and, as described above, accept a restructured contract) if he wanted to return to action in the new WCW. Scott Hall returning is not even under consideration at this point.
- Creatively speaking, there's a bunch of interesting things happening. Terry Taylor and Johnny Ace have been running WCW for the past few months, and both have had tentative early talks with the new management. The Fed is also considering farming out Paul Heyman (and perhaps some other established staffers) to shore up creative for the new WCW, while it is NOT out of the question that Ed Ferrera and Vince Russo could be brought back into the equation, also.
- As far as announcers go: the WWF realizes this is an area that needs to be addressed. Bobby Heenan is under consideration to return to the new WCW, while the Fed is also looking to shore up this capacity by exploring the possibility of making peace with Jerry Lawler. Tony Schiavone's job isn't in immediate jeopardy, but that's more because he's just the best option right now, not because he's viewed as the best long-term solution.
- On the TV timeslot front: one possibility being discussed at this point would result in the WWF having five hours of weekly TV on cable to WCW's four. This is NOT etched in stone, but it looks like the WWF will keep RAW and SmackDown! where they are, and also keep one of the weekend morning TNN slots. WCW would receive a new two-hour TNN slot, and would take over the other of the WWF's TNN weekend hours, as well as an MTV hour (one source said the new WCW would actually take the Heat slot, but there are big time conflicting rumors about that, and speaking purely logically, the WWF should not -- in my opinion -- give up a show that serves both as PPV warm-up and as a launching pad for mid-card talent to hone their shtick for RAW). Both Feds would continue to produce a syndicated hour, as well.
- WCW's scehduled Big Bang PPV could be dead as far as May 6 goes. June is more likely for a PPV relaunch of WCW; the new WCW will only hit PPV after the cable timeslots are established and they've had time to build up to a big PPV debut for the new WCW.
- There are also conflicts between sources as to exactly how big the WCW tape library included in this purchase will be... a few sources say that only footage taped since Turner took over WCW in 1989 is included in the deal (since a lot of old Georgia Championship Wrestling footage was never officially turned over to Turner upon sale of the company). One source insists that the WWF is getting rights to footage dating back to the 70's, including Mid South, UWF, World Class, and Florida tapes, however. This would have a huge impact on just how factual the rumors about the WWF looking to start a 24 hour "wrestling classics" network turn out to be.
- Don't discount the ECW name, either... the same source that insisted the tape library purchased by the WWF includes tons of old WCW/NWA footage also says that the WWF is considering a deal to acquire broadcast rights to the ECW tape library. Also, the WWF continues to drop the ECW name on their programming (especially in regards to Rhyno, as on SmackDown! this week), meaning that there could even be life after death -- beyond inclusion on a wrestling classic network -- for ECW.
- And finally... the WWF themselves (in their official press release) hinted that "cross-brand storylines" could start as soon as Monday night. However, there are also indications that things won't move full-bore towards a genuine cross-promotional feud until the situation is just right. If something big happens Monday, it may be more a tease than a start of a sustainable storyline. Depending on creative discussions, it could be months of keeping the WWF and WCW as genuinely separate entities before we see the seeds of a joint-venture PPV planted.
There is sure to be more on this over the next few days, and since I'll be out of town, I encourage you to make copious use of the quick-hitting news updates that WL will be posting as things develop!