Welcome to another edition of Cheap Pop and Cheap Heat from Smark Out Moment! Each week, we break down the world of professional wrestling and examine two of the polar opposite ends of the spectrum: one thing that was by far the worst thing (Cheap Heat) and the best thing (Cheap Pop) to happen over the past 7 days in sports entertainment. So, what went down this week that we loved and hated about the business?
CHEAP POP OF THE WEEK:
PEACOCK DEAL
Good news for wrestling fans wallets this week with the news that Peacock will be taking over the WWE network for the US market, which, in turn, means they will be able to get the same content (and more) for half the price.
Hopefully, this major windfall will also mean increased job security for staff and wrestlers alike, with no need for another Black Wednesday. Of course, there was no need for the first one, as their finances were more than healthy last time around, but surely an extra two hundred million dollars a year would at least make it a fraction less likely?
Whether the WWE network will remain for other regions is not yet clear, but if teaming up with less expensive streaming platforms is the new direction, I am all for it.
CHEAP HEAT OF THE WEEK:
NOVID 19
WWE insists that their performers safety is of the utmost importance, and their priority when it comes to stopping a match. I do not doubt that, but it does not mean that the care always extends massively beyond it.
This past week brought the news that WWE will not assist wrestlers who want a covid vaccination as, you guessed it, they are not employees, but independent contractors. Note, this not them saying that they cannot do anything to help facilitate it, but that they will not, as it falls under health care benefits which, of course, wrestlers are not entitled to.
Given that they have had performers off with it, and had to drastically adjust working practices, you would think that they would be looking into trying to make it happen for them. Yes, it is justifiable on a technicality, but it is not very caring.
So there you have it, my two choices for the week. What do YOU think are the Cheap Pop and Cheap Heat this week in professional wrestling? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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