Welcome to the first edition of WWE Network Lowdown, here we’re going to give you a rundown of all the goings on over on the WWE Network. We’ll be looking at the new content, classic content and maybe even a few stinkers that are tucked away.
The major topic with the WWE Network this week was the UK launch… oh wait, yeah… that didn’t quite go to plan. But for everyone else all over the world (sorry UK) it’s #FreeFreeFree and tomorrow is the start of ECW Week!
ECW Week will see 40 new episodes of Hardcore TV added to “The Vault”, which (providing they don’t fill in some of the gaps in 1993/94) it will mean that Hardcore TV will be up to the early spring 1996.
ECW Week will also see, for the first time – three ECW Arena shows: Hardcore Heaven 1995, November to Remember 1995 and Cyber Slam 1996 added to the VOD service. We’re not sure if they will have their own new category or whether they will be added into the PPV section (despite them not actually being PPVs).
Also don’t forget, the big LIVE! ECW Exposed special with Joey Styles and Paul Heyman which kicks off immediatly following RAW. You can also submit your questions for the show by tweeting using the hashtag: #ECWExposed. We’ll have all the details of the special for you next week.
This week saw the first ever “Network Exclusive” match. Following RAW, the Network aired live a United States Championship match between Sheamus and Rusev. This is a unique use of the Network and making the Network a destination is something which I hope we see more of in the future.
Two new episodes of the original series: Rivalries and Monday Night War aired on Tuesday evening. Rivalries concluded its premier episode with part two of Austin vs. McMahon, while Monday Night War looked at the meteoric rise of The Rock. Regretfully both felt similar to the Steve Austin and Rock DVDs from 2011/12 – which was a shame. Both series can/could be really entertaining when they are looking at fresher subjects.
This week was also a big for NXT and it Superstars, not only did Sami Zayn take on Tyson Kid on Main Event, but over on NXT he had a kick ass match verses Tyler Breeze. NXT also featured the anticipated debut of Finn Bálor (aka “Prince” Fergal Devitt).
Next week, in addition to all the new ECW content, there’s a few other bits and pieces being added to the WWE Network as well.
Three new editions of Monday Night RAW have been added, the episodes from November 6th, 13th and 20th 1995 feature the final build and fallout from the Survivor Series (included in there is the famous Owen Hart vs. Shawn Michaels match).
Speaking of Survivor Series, it’s #FreeFreeFree and as we build to the 28th edition in two weeks, the Network will be airing the: 1990, 1998 and 1996 editions of the fall PPV classic. These shows of course feature the debuts of: The Goobledy Gooker, The Rock and an Undertaker fella – ever heard of him? 😉
This Tuesday night a brand new edition of Rivalries will air; this episode will take a look at the legendary feud between Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes. The other big Tuesday night show is the Monday Night War, however because of ECW Week no new episode will air as they be re-airing “The War Goes Extreme” episode from a few weeks ago (If you’ve not already seen it, it’s one you should check out).
We don’t have any new SmackDown Flashback being added this week; however WWE have been adding them quietly with little fan fare. Now almost the complete run from August 1999 to late January 2000 has been added, with the exception of a few episodes.
Finally, after taking a week or two off a new Beyond the Ring will air as “Signature Sounds: The Music of WWE” from earlier this year will be added. See the complete list of WWE DVD Documentaries and Features on the WWE Network.
Each week in our WWE Network Lowdown we will feature a classic match which you should check out. This week as its ECW Week, our match comes from ECW Hardcore TV. It is the second ever meeting of the hardcore legends: Sabu and Cactus Jack.
Cactus Jack vs. Sabu
ECW Hardcore TV • October 18, 1994
This somewhat forgotten match is a doozy. It might be forgotten by Cactus simply due to the brutal and incredibly painful sounding shots he took from a beer bottle – shots that are sure to make even the hardest of hardcore fans cringe! Of course with these two it’s a knock down drag out that the wrestling ring can’t contain – it’s one you should definitely try and check out.
We hope you enjoyed the inaugural edition of WWE Network Lowdown, enjoy ECW Week and we’ll be back very soon.
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Great write up and I think this is a great new feature for the site.
Good article, Mark. Looking forward to reading more. I’m really loving WWE Network and the possibilities are endless as far as programming is concerned. The Network exclusive of Sheamus vs Rusev is exactly the type of thing WWE need to put on there from time to time.
as expected, it is not completely -Uncut-, -Unedited- or -Unrated-, as Steph McMahon stated on the presentation show of the Network.
Fully Loaded 1998 and Capital Carnage UK 1998.. I assume, I don’t need to point out what is blurred, and noooo.. it is NOT the wwf logo.
Great to have old material on hd, although not Full.. but, thank god for Silvervision Tagged Classic -Real- uncut, unedited. 😉
I believe the wardrobe malfunction you’re talking about for Capital Carnage UK was actually edited for DVD and VHS releases. The only place it was actually uncensored was the the PPV airing for about a second or so.
Most of the PPVs on the Network look to be taken from the Home Video releases – either the Anthologies or official DVD releases, some even have the F bleeped out which are the anthologies.
I’m pretty sure “they” 😉 were on the Capital Carnage VHS. I didn’t see the PPV, but had the VHS and I’m pretty damn sure they were uncensored on it.
Mark is right.. at Capital Carnage it is very much uncensored and uncut and un-blurred.. and so is the Fully Loaded, although, if you want the true full monty of the puppies, it is on Capital Carnage Tagged Classic dvd..
I read, that the wwe in fact did not edit on their home video release back then..hence, it is completely full length showcased on the dvd. But..blinking, and you miss it.. 😉
but.. it is of course of the great wrestling on the show that I own this.. in the first line, it’s all about wrestling, that goes for the wild crazy sexy attitude era too… He he he
Hi. Welcome to 8 months ago when all of this was discussed already. Glad you can keep up. lol
better later, than never.. that’s what she also said yesterday.. well.. sort of.. LOL
Awesome, love this new feature/column.
Great suggestion on the Cactus Jack vs. Sabu match! The whole episode is pretty good, with some great promos and a solid Chris Benoit match.
Dude, is that what you really look like? Not makin fun, just sayin….
Is that what YOU really look like?
Yes, Brandon. Yes it is. I was mangled quite severely last year when the neighbor ran me over with his snow blower. Then I was all white AND red… with more white wrapped over more red. Now I am back to looking like this. It’s not pretty, but hey, my wife seems to tolerate it. The funny thing is, she asked me the same thing the first night we met. I told her, hey, once you go white you… never…. I mean, you can… do… Okay, there are other options, but I make KILLER eggs. I hooked her. HELLS YEAH!!!! I was just tryin to be funny, Brandon. Bustin balls. No offense. Sorry if I ruffled your feathers, mate.
I really wish they would go and add all the RAWs, SmackDowns, Nitros and Thunders. That was the main reason I suscribed was I wanted to watch the RAWs and SmackDowns leading up to ppvs back in the attitude era and ruthless aggression era since I didn’t watch back then. I don’t really watch the network any more except for the awesome Monday Night War series.
Another great service to get a easy overview on wrestling, provided from you..
and yes.. I admit, I have been sceptical bout the Network.. but, I gotta eat my critical words, cos I took the step and subscribed, cos they finally offered a free period, like all other stream providers do..
and pretty stupid, not to take advantage of this, and that way find out what it really is..
and, I am pleasent surprised.. I’m from Denmark, and the signal is without problems.. for the first 48 hours pict froze twice for a few seconds, and crashed a single time.. I have only watched wcw ppv’s.. the real test of course will be with Survivor Series live.. and the live segment with Styles and Heyman, wheather it will work fine or not.
I still find it uncool how wwe handled the UK customers, for what ever reason..who knows, when it can happen to next time.. and I still be collecting Blurays for sure.. but, I am really blown away how well network runs smoothly..and how nice it looks. Respect to the wwe..can of woopass to me, for questioning.. 😉
Rusev sucks