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Official Pro-Wrestling Thread (WWE, TNA, ROH etc.)
- Thread starter Jono
- Start date
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Teja.
Global Moderator
Don't really know how to put it tbh.
I find the techniques of guys like Benoit, Angle and Hbk enjoyable to watch while the likes of Cena & Hogan a bit annoying. 'Style' was not the right word, I guess.
masterblaster
International Captain
I don't think that dropping buy rates for PPV's are really that surprising. There seems to be a lot of different factors at play to suggest why people aren't willing to spend $45 on every PPV in the US.
Firstly back when PPV numbers were sky rocketing there were no illegal feeds or streaming, mainly because the internet was at a pretty basic stage and not too many people had high speed access.
The emergence of illegal streaming of PPV's and then subsequent downloading of the shows as soon as a PPV is over has really bit into the market. Why would you spend $45 every month when you can download it pretty much for free right after? I think that's what most people are thinking.
Another factor is the economy in the US is still very sluggish. The last few years has really changed people's spending habits and quite frankly spending $45 on a wrestling event isn't a high priority on people's spending list.
The lack of new, household names is also another factor with so many of the box office attractions now retired, acting or wrestling for TNA there hasn't been the major box office draws or great angles that have really sold PPV's in the past.
The rise of MMA into popular culture and the popularity of the UFC is also another big reason why buy rates have dropped. MMA is the cool thing going and pro wrestling as a whole seems somewhat stagnant and stuck in the 80's or 90's.
Another big reason is the over saturation of the PPV market. Consumers now have to decide whether they want to buy WWE, TNA or UFC PPV's and invariably a PPV comes around almost every couple of weeks. Even the most passionate pro wrestling or MMA fan can't afford to buy a PPV every two weeks.
I think WWE would do well to reduce the number of PPV's to make them mean something agian, build angles and anticipation around the big events and continue to show faith in the young talent to get them to a stage where they become household names.
WWE should also look at reducing the price of their PPV's. Paying $45 is too unreasonable and not realistic. A change in their pricing strategy could really help lift their buyrates. They can't do anything about illegal streaming or downloading but they can change their strategy and their mindset with regards to PPV's.
Firstly back when PPV numbers were sky rocketing there were no illegal feeds or streaming, mainly because the internet was at a pretty basic stage and not too many people had high speed access.
The emergence of illegal streaming of PPV's and then subsequent downloading of the shows as soon as a PPV is over has really bit into the market. Why would you spend $45 every month when you can download it pretty much for free right after? I think that's what most people are thinking.
Another factor is the economy in the US is still very sluggish. The last few years has really changed people's spending habits and quite frankly spending $45 on a wrestling event isn't a high priority on people's spending list.
The lack of new, household names is also another factor with so many of the box office attractions now retired, acting or wrestling for TNA there hasn't been the major box office draws or great angles that have really sold PPV's in the past.
The rise of MMA into popular culture and the popularity of the UFC is also another big reason why buy rates have dropped. MMA is the cool thing going and pro wrestling as a whole seems somewhat stagnant and stuck in the 80's or 90's.
Another big reason is the over saturation of the PPV market. Consumers now have to decide whether they want to buy WWE, TNA or UFC PPV's and invariably a PPV comes around almost every couple of weeks. Even the most passionate pro wrestling or MMA fan can't afford to buy a PPV every two weeks.
I think WWE would do well to reduce the number of PPV's to make them mean something agian, build angles and anticipation around the big events and continue to show faith in the young talent to get them to a stage where they become household names.
WWE should also look at reducing the price of their PPV's. Paying $45 is too unreasonable and not realistic. A change in their pricing strategy could really help lift their buyrates. They can't do anything about illegal streaming or downloading but they can change their strategy and their mindset with regards to PPV's.
GIMH
Norwood's on Fire
I think on top of all that, patience has to be a factor for WWE. They are clearly focused on building new stars. Those people won't draw as much as the old school until they are established, but there are obviously long-term benefits to building these stars. New main event talent is being built in Sheamus (fairly established already) Wade Barrett, The Miz and Alberto Del Rio. The midcard is being strengthened with some of the Nexus guys, Dashing Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, Evan Bourne.
They need to be patient - buys are going to drop for now because casual fans want to see Triple H, The Undertaker, Batista. I see the period right now as similar to 96-97 - commercially that period was not good for WWE but creatively it was fantastic, it was the platform for the highly successful 98-02 period. The product was arguably better in 97 than it was in the following years, as well.
They need to be patient - buys are going to drop for now because casual fans want to see Triple H, The Undertaker, Batista. I see the period right now as similar to 96-97 - commercially that period was not good for WWE but creatively it was fantastic, it was the platform for the highly successful 98-02 period. The product was arguably better in 97 than it was in the following years, as well.
sledger
Spanish_Vicente
Hmmm, another reason for watching TNA seemingly down the drain. Such a shame, Eric Young was so good over the last few years with his reinvented character and so on. Probably the best thing in TNA for a while for me. The fact that he was shunted into working some stupid team with Orlando Jordan recently just shows how poorly TNA have used him really. Good luck with whatever he now decides to do.
masterblaster
International Captain
TNA got what they deserved. They have really dropped the ball on Eric Young and have never recognised his talent. Like you, I became a fan of his new character especially when he was the leader of the World Elite.
I'm not sure he'd have a shot with WWE but if he was to go there he'd be a pretty solid addition to the mid card. I think he probably has more of a shot with ROH though as he's a pretty good worker and someone of name value that they can use.
GIMH
Norwood's on Fire
More interesting that Hogan is down at #23 
FTR I don't think either of the two you mentioned, or Race and Steamboat have any business being above HHH on a 'top 50 WWE superstars' list. Race if you're including NWA, fair enough. Steamboat? Not with Flair down where he is.
But meh, it's all political so not worth getting into too heavy a discussion about.
Though maybe we could have a battle of the pro-wrestlers, who would be up for it if I ran one?
FTR I don't think either of the two you mentioned, or Race and Steamboat have any business being above HHH on a 'top 50 WWE superstars' list. Race if you're including NWA, fair enough. Steamboat? Not with Flair down where he is.
But meh, it's all political so not worth getting into too heavy a discussion about.
Though maybe we could have a battle of the pro-wrestlers, who would be up for it if I ran one?
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