The WWE Experience Thread (Spoilers)

[The Penguin]

With the end of Confidential (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=109340) last week we get the debut of The WWE Experience. Experience is your only source for both the RAW (http://raw.wwe.com) and SmackDown! (http://smackdown.wwe.com) brands of World Wrestling Entertainment.

Airing at 10 a.m. ET Sunday mornings on Spike TV, The WWE Experience is hosted by Todd Grisham and former Women's Champion Ivory, catch recaps and some Confidential-like segments as WWE returns to Sunday mornings in the tradition of All-American Wrestling, The Action Zone and WWF Superstars!



http://www.wwe.com/images/standard-repository/472x228_img/1261966
The WWE Experience

World Wrestling Entertainment debuts its new Sunday morning television program on Spike TV, The WWE Experience, this Sunday at 10 a.m./ 9 CT!

The one-hour TV-PG program, hosted by Todd Grisham and WWE Diva Ivory, will feature highlights from both Monday Night RAW and SmackDown! The program also will take a behind-the-scenes look at the activities of the WWE Superstars from both television brands.

For this week's premiere episode, Ivory & Todd come to you from New York City's Times Square! You'll get exclusive highlights from Trish Stratus & Christian's cover shoot for the May edition of Raw Magazine, and much more!


The link to this thread can be found in my signature so if I'm not here to bump it up you can. ;)

I don't expect there to be as much talk in this thread since a majority of the show will be recaps, but I still want this show to available to talk about. The WWE Experience takes over Confidential's DarkOrange color because the sun in the logo gives it the same color motif.

[Kyl416]

I wonder what day they tape it, maybe I could try to sneak into one of the background scenes in the city.

[sag_2002]

This was cool. It reminded me of WWF Superstars circa 1998. Good stuff, especially considering I'm never able to watch Smackdown.

[CerebralSocko]

The show reminded me of that really old WWF sunday morning show that they used to have with Todd Pettingill. I liked WWE Experience, but I think they should've used different hosts. Ivory was a little too jumpy, and the new guy had no charisma.

[Kyl416]

Ivory was a little too jumpy, and the new guy had no charisma.1. Why would you need to put spoiler tags for that.
2. Being jumpy is Ivory's personality.

[CerebralSocko]

1. Why would you need to put spoiler tags for that.
2. Being jumpy is Ivory's personality.
1. Just being cautious, man. I haven't posted on ToonZone since 2001, so I'm not familiar with the current posters. Some people might find that as a spoiler, so meh.
2. Well.. still, she was a little too hyped up for my taste. I suppose it's expected though, since she was hosting a new show and all. Again, meh.

[Kyl416]

I don't get why we needed to use the spoiler tag in a thread that is titled "Spoilers" anyway

[CerebralSocko]

I don't get why we needed to use the spoiler tag in a thread that is titled "Spoilers" anyway
Well, you don't have to use 'em, but like I said, I was being cautious. I've seen too many people on other boards whine about spoilers, and I really have no desire to cross paths with them. Once again, I don't know if these guys are around in today's ToonZone, but I'd rather not find out the hard way. Better safe than sorry, right? Meh.

[The Dork Knight]

The WWE Experience preview for May 9, 2004

World Wrestling Entertainment is back on Sunday mornings with The WWE Experience. Join us this Sunday for highlights from this week’s RAW and SmackDown!, along with a behind the scenes look at the Superstars of WWE.

This week, join SmackDown! announcer, Tazz, and WWE Diva, Dawn Marie, as they recently threw out the first pitch at a home game for the Trenton Thunder – a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees. It was a very special night for the New York area natives – don’t miss it.

Also on The WWE Experience, join SmackDown! Superstar, John Cena and Def Jam Recording Artist, Method Man at a photo shoot for SmackDown! Magazine. Both Superstars are not only on the cover of the June edition of SmackDown! Magazine, but they also have highly-anticipated albums coming out in the very near future. See what happened when two of the hottest young rappers in the industry got together this week on The WWE Experience.

The WWE Experience was also there for a very tender moment for WWE fans in Arizona recently when a moment of silence was held for Arizona Cardinals great and American hero, Pat Tillman – a former NFL Superstar who was killed while serving his country in Afghanistan. While in Arizona, World Wrestling Entertainment honored the fallen hero and The WWE Experience cameras were there.

All of this, and all of the major highlights from both RAW and SmackDown! this week on The WWE Experience, this Sunday at 10/9 AM CT on Spike TV.

PENGUIN NOTE: As the first post this weekend, it gets the pleasure of having the official preivew it in. Below are The Dork Knight's completely unedited thoughts.


WWE Experience does'nt happen to have a From The Vault-esque segment like Confidential had, does it? If not, I probably won't watch. I honestly don't care for recap shows. :shrug:

- The Dork Knight

[Kyl416]

WWE Experience does'nt happen to have a From The Vault-esque segment like Confidential had, does it? If not, I probably won't watch. I honestly don't care for recap shows.It hasn't had one yet, but it's not just a recap show, it has a bunch of Confidential type segments about the superstars going out and about. Today they had Tazz and Dawn Marie throwing out the first pitch in a minor league baseball game. And they had several other segments that were non-recaps too.

[The Penguin]

Watching the past two weeks I must say I kind of like The WWE Experience. Certainly I could do without a bunch of recaps, but it’s not all bad. They may be a bit like the Rebounds, but I like the RAW Action and the SmackDown! LowDown! Highlights in video form are always winners with me.

I’m also kind of liking the team of Todd Grisham and Ivory. You can tell they are trying to create that chemistry, but at the same time I think it’s working for them and will continue to get better. For those of you who don’t think you like Todd, just think back to the last time WWE had a Todd and you’ll realize things could be worse, a lot worse.

I also like the concept of the two walking around various New York City locations—the premiere in Times Square and this past week in Central Park. Since it is such a cool and different thing I give it about three months before they move into the TV studio.

Premiere
The Confidential-like segments are not frequent in between the recaps and it’s pretty clear that stuff like DX talking about invading WCW and hard-hitting features like Ric Flair’s plane crash and the death of Miss Elizabeth are a thing of the past. :sad:

I do kind of enjoy things like magazine cover shoots (such as this episode with Christian & Trish) and the other features…

I have decided to abstain from commenting on Victoria getting the chance to meet Hilary Clinton, the Senator who moved to New York.

I felt like the Benoit goes home segment was used in the last weeks of Confidential, but it’s still a nice feature.

This past week
More of the same really, I do like seeing Superstars throw out first pitches, but Tazz and Dawn Marie at a minor league Yankees game may have been a bit much.

I thought it was nice that RAW had a moment of silence for Pat Tillman last week, he sure deserved it.

I haven’t gotten a chance to read the article yet, but I’ll be interested to find out why it is that Method Man ended up on a magazine cover with John Cena.

[The Penguin]

Todd & Ivory looked back on RAW and got the SmackDown! fans ready for Judgment Day tonight on PPV!

The WWE Experience preview for May 16, 2004

The WWE Experience will be coming at you for the first time ever on the morning of a pay-per-view event. The WWE Experience will chronicle all of the events on the final SmackDown! before Judgment Day, along with the highlights from a blockbuster Monday Night RAW this past week as the RAW Superstars began their journey to Bad Blood on June 13.

In addition to all of the RAW and SmackDown! highlights from this week, join hosts Todd Grisham and Ivory from Wall Street, as they continue to bring the sights and sounds from New York City – the home of The WWE Experience. Also, go behind the scenes as several WWE Superstars enjoyed appearances outside of the ring. One such appearance featured Monday Night RAW Ring Announcer Lilian Garcia, as she recently sang the national anthem at a Los Angeles Dodgers game. Don’t miss it.

All of this and more on The WWE Experience at 10/9 AM CT on Spike TV.

My comments are already below...



Not really much outside of recaps this week as Todd and Ivory walked around Wall Street in episode three. I did like how the SD! LowDown! featured the Judgment Day match screens though, the was a nice touch. Todd attempting the French Tickler of René Duprée was a bit scary though.

Finger Eleven's "One Thing" makes a great video for Benoit and I didn't mind seeing it again.

Lilian Garcia has really impressed me with her singing voice so it was kind of cool seeing her sing the National Anthem at the Dodger game.

[The Penguin]

I taped this week's show, but please start sharing any thoughts you may have and I'll be along later. ;)

The WWE Experience preview for May 23, 2004

This Sunday, The WWE Experience kicks off from Times Square. Join hosts Todd Grisham and Ivory as they recap the surprise appearance of The Rock on RAW this past week. Get an exclusive look at Eric Bischoff’s reaction to what happened with The Rock and Eugene as WWE cameras were there to see first hand what the General Manager’s feelings were on the matter.

Also, go behind the scenes as Chris Benoit and Edge spend time with ill and disadvantaged children. In “Dreams Take Flight”, Benoit, Edge and the children flew to Disney World and spent the day together there. Get a glimpse of two of your favorite Superstars outside the ring as they participate in this worthy cause.

All of this and more on The WWE Experience at 10/9 AM CT on Spike TV.

[The Penguin]

If after less than a month Todd & Ivory have to go back to Time Square it just shows that they are going to run out of locations real quick. :shrug:

The Superstars are always willing to give of their time and it was nice that Benoit and Edge spent the day at Walt Disney World with those kids. It looked like the World Tag Champs had as much fun as they did. :D

I’m sure RAW just ran out of time to have Eugene come back to see a disappointed Bischoff and Regal, but you can’t beat the feeling of having something “exclusive” to a morning recap show. :)

Man, this show may actually be going downhill as far as non-recaps go, but I guess that’s how it works when you have to recap both brands.

[The Penguin]

Anyone else keeping up with this show?

The WWE Experience preview for May 30, 2004

This Sunday, join hosts Todd Grisham and Ivory as they bring you The WWE Experience from The Metropolitan Musuem of Art. Take a look back at the Jonathan Coachman and Garrison Cade match against Eugene and Chris Benoit from RAW this past Monday, as well as the Lumberjack Match between John Cena and Rene Dupree from Thursday's SmackDown!

Speaking of John Cena, go behind the scenes as the Master of Thuganomics takes a trip to Benny the Jeweler in Jamaica, Queens to purchase some bling-bling.

All of this and more on The WWE Experience at 10/9 AM CT on Spike TV.

My comments are already below...


Overall I admit I'm not terribly thrilled with The WWE Experience. With a "refresher corse" already offered by HEAT and Velocity there is very little in the way of new recap content although I do kind of like the SmackDown! LowDown! and the RAW Action.

In the end I watch it for the same reason I watched the last time WWE was on Sunday mornings with WWF Superstars—I enjoy seeing even small behind the scenes stuff like photo shoots, first pitches and yes, even shopping trips.

I also like the team of Todd and Ivory (really). Their competition over autographs this week was kind of fun.

I don't know what to really say about Victoria on the bike for the photo other than I have the magazine and she looks beautiful as always.

If The Rock doesn't want to be seen as the next Arnold I think the Governor of California would have a problem with it. :p It's cool that he thinks so highly of Rocky though.

It's interesting how Cena was buying "bling bling" since unless you count the Master Lock he doesn't wear any! :p Still an interesting trip and the skinnier of the two guys he was with (I don't know why I am suddenly blanking on his name) helped him with his album due this summer I believe.

[The Penguin]

Just curious if any of you folks are getting up early or setting a tape (like me) to catch the fun antics of Todd and Ivory.

The WWE Experience preview for June 6, 2004

This Sunday, join hosts Todd Grisham and Ivory as they bring you The WWE Experience from New York City. Did you catch the highlights from the SummerSlam press conference in Toronto this past week? If not, be sure to tune in to The WWE Experience, as Todd and Ivory bring you all you need to know about this year's summer spectacular.

Also, what kind of damage does the leggy Stacy Keibler do on a shopping trip? Find out as cameras from The WWE Experience follow the RAW Diva.

All of this, plus highlights from RAW and SmackDown! on The WWE Experience at 10/9 AM CT on Spike TV.

My comments are already below...




Todd & Ivory in Little Italy = Bad fake Italian accents. I do really enjoy this "tour" of New York City. I hope I go there sometime during my life, but I don't know that it will be soon. So the trips to Ferrara's Bakery for canoli is something I find kind of fun.

When Todd commented on Ivory's attire I couldn't help but think what Paul Heyman would have thought, "she looks good in black leather pants." :D

It was kind of fun watching Stacy shop in England. It would be kind of cool to say "Oh this? I bought it in Japan." The appearance of Eugene was unexpected and very cool.

And yes, rather than skip it I did watch the La Résistance match replay. :p

[The Penguin]

The WWE Experience preview for June 13, 2004

Before you watch Bad Blood this Sunday on pay-per-view, be sure to tune into The WWE Experience on Spike TV, Sunday morning at 10/9 a.m. CT. This week, Ivory and Todd will be coming to you from the lovely Washington Square Park in New York. All the action from the final Monday Night RAW before Bad Blood will be presented, including Eugene ending Johnny Nitro's RAW career. Also this week, relive the shocking events that brought Kane to a pinfall victory over the World Heavyweight Champion, Chris Benoit.

All of this, plus highlights from SmackDown! on The WWE Experience at 10/9 AM CT on Spike TV.

I’m starting to think a talkback for this show isn’t really going to work that well. A few of your offered thoughts the first couple weeks, but that’s been about it. Plus this week featured no new content outside of Todd & Ivory from Washington Square Park. If nothing else I really enjoy watching Todd & Ivory build that chemistry and give a “virtual tour” of various New York locations.

That’s about all I have to say and I think we’ll play it by ear from now on in regards to “talking back” unless some you indicate that you like having the thread around.

[The Penguin]

I just wanted to bring this thread back up and see if anyone has been watching this show. I have it as part of my delayed SmackDown! viewings and in addition to liking Todd & Ivory, there have been some cool segments as of late.

I just finished watching the Sept. 19 edition of the show which featured Billy Kidman and Torrie Wilson swimming with sharks in Australia. I just thought it was cool watching them go through that experience and it was fun to in a way share that with them. Billy got bit on his boot a couple of times, but was okay. And I admit I liked seeing the two of them together since they don't do that real often on TV. :)


Well if you are watching, I just as well give you the preview for this week...

The WWE Experience preview for Oct. 10, 2004

Todd and Ivory will be coming to you from Central Park in New York this week on The WWE Experience.

They will take a look back on the happenings at No Mercy and look ahead to the much-anticipated fan-interactive pay-per-view Taboo Tuesday.

WWE fans will also get a closer look at the upcoming Tough Enough competition and John Cena's recent cover shoot for Muscle & Fitness Magazine.

Plus, a review of all the top matches on SmackDown! and RAW from this past week, including Triple H and Chris Jericho's Lumberjack match.

All of this and more Sunday on The WWE Experience, 11/10 CT on Spike TV.

[The Penguin]

http://www.wwe.com/content/media/images/Superstars/29272/Ivory_profile.jpg

I wanted to bump the Experience talkback to say good-bye to Ivory, but with the board being down Sunday morning I wasn’t able to do that.

The WWE Experience is sold as a ‘morning show’ and both Todd Grisham and Ivory make up a key part of that. Todd by himself or Todd & Coach or Todd & Josh will not make good hosts by themselves for a morning show; the female is a key element to the equation.

In addition to looking good, Ivory has been a very legitimate announcer/WWE personality and was making a real contribution to the TV product.

The WWE Experience won’t be the same the next couple months. Let’s assume Ivory met a nice firefighter at that calendar shoot she spotted at the end of the show and was never heard from again.

[The Penguin]

Well Todd was all alone this morning and after saying Ivory left the WWE to pursue other opportunities it was all Todd, all the time.

It may just take some getting used to, but with the way this show has been formatted, a guy all by himself just doesn’t work that well. Todd’s not bad, but now it’s just like After Burn and Bottom Line where he talks to the viewers and the camera gives him trouble. I think I’d rather have a Diva that is well-spoken or Josh hanging out in NYC with Todd.

[The Penguin]

This was it, the final morning for The WWE Experience. A replacement for the more expensive WWE Confidential in May of 2004, The WWE Experience was hosted by Todd Grisham and Ivory for most of its run as they presented recaps from RAW and SmackDown! as well as some of the more minor Confidential features like Superstar autograph signings and behind the scenes of PPV commercial shoots. Ivory's contract was not renewed in July and since that time Todd has hosted the show by himself.

The WWE Experience will not be headed to WWE.com with Velocity and HEAT, but will instead be more or less replaced by WWE A.M. RAW which will air Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. ET starting next weekend.

This talkback was not an exciting place, but this is your chance to say good-bye to The WWE Experience.

The WWE Experience preview
Sept. 25, 2004

Not available

[The Penguin]

No love for The WWE Experience? Not so surprising really, TWE went from having some of those Confidential-type segments I mentioned to a recap and hype machine and it was never the same after Ivory "left."

While he didn't actually say good-bye, Todd did fake cry and the end and in a matter of speaking wished us all adieu.

"I'm Todd Grisham, thanks for watching The WWE Experience."