Pro-Wrestling Pro sports taking notice of WWF's TV ratings Page

Last updated 17 November 2004

Pro sports taking notice of WWF's TV ratings

The World Wrestling Federation-backed Xtreme Football League doesn't consider its product competition for the NFL. WWF officials say the upstart league, which begins play after next year's Super Bowl, is simply trying to offer fans an extension to the football season.

The WWF and NBC, which will televise XFL games, can say that with a straight face because the NFL and professional sports in general are already getting severe competition for the WWF's central revenue source.

RAW is WAR, the WWF's flagship program, is in the midst of a record run on cable television. It has been the No. 1-rated cable show 50 of the last 52 weeks. Its ratings are consistently in the 6.0-7.0 range (one ratings point equals approximately 675,000 homes). Thanks to the effect on ratings for ABC's Monday Night Football last season, the wrestling audience isn't the only one taking notice of the WWF's staggering numbers.

RAW is WAR outdrew Monday Night Football last season in the male, 12-24 year old demographic by 47 percent. The numbers were almost doubled against ESPN's baseball game of the week.

"We have the ability to create a drama each week that involves athletic ability," says WWF Vice President of Public Relations Gary Davis. "We're not a sporting event, but we feel like we put on a compelling audience for males."

Wrestling attracts young viewers because it appeals to a generation that has television attention deficit disorder. The attention span of a normal 12-24 year old is the length of an MTV music video. Wrestling's high-octane production of drama outside the ring and quick, fast-paced matches are a good fit with this demographic.

Those qualities are exactly what ABC is looking for after making major changes in the way Monday Night Football is produced. Straight-laced Boomer Esiason was fired after last season after the network decided it needed someone more colorful and controversial to go alongside Al Michaels. In short, the show needs a shot of "WWF Attitude."

Professional sports in general could use the same boost. Wrestling is routinely outdrawing NBA and NHL playoff games and baseball wishes it drew a third of the ratings a normal wrestling show does. The saturation of professional sports on television and ticket prices have been the cause of some of pro sports' ills. That audiences don't have the same interaction with the athletes as they do at other entertainment options is another concern. The rowdier and louder audiences are at wrestling events, the better the event. That holds true for sports, for the most part. But, in wrestling, the way the crowd reacts toward a performer or story line generally determines the direction of the show.

"The more our audience is in to our program, the better it is," Davis says. "The crowd plays a critical role in what we do."

The changes on Monday Night Football may not completely integrate wrestling into the mainstream entertainment world. The NFL still draws drastically better numbers overall than wresting does. Even so, network executives are finally beginning to realize and understand wrestling's success with its product presentation and audience involvement.

"What (the WWF) produces is mainstream entertainment," Davis says. "Our brand of entertainment may not be for everybody and we're certainly not mainstream, according to the old boys club. But we're continuing to show leadership and there is a great demand for our product."

BAD BUMP

Extra credit goes to Diamond Dallas Page after his experience Saturday before WCW's Slamboree pay-per-view. While reviewing the triple cage he wrestled Jeff Jarrett and David Arquette in for the WCW world title, Page fell through the floor of the second cage and landed awkwardly on his back. He was in considerable pain overnight, but still worked a solid main event Sunday.

CLOSE CALL

Originally feared to be out as much as three months, Tazz found out this week he could be back in the ring in about half that time. Tazz tore his biceps muscle two weeks ago and, at first, believed surgery would be required to reattach the muscle to the bone. After more tests, doctors told the 32-year old the muscle was not as damaged as originally thought and that it could heal with rest and a normal rehab program. If Tazz doesn't have surgery, the target for his return is 6-8 weeks.

BUFF ARRESTED

Buff Bagwell (Marcus Bagwell) was arrested Tuesday at the Thunder tapings in Springfield, Ill., for allegedly hitting WCW employee Darrell Miller after an argument. According to the Springfield State Journal-Register, Bagwell hit Miller in the side of the neck after Miller asked a group of people blocking a doorway to move. "I thought he was being rude so I punched him upside the neck. He works for us. He shouldn't be so pushy," the paper quoted Bagwell as saying. Bagwell has yet to be charged. He posted $100 bail Tuesday night and was released from the Sangamon County Jail.

ON THE STONE COLD TRAIL

Though he has never had the bodybuilder physique that some wrestlers have, Stone Cold Steve Austin isn't returning to the ring full time until he is satisfied with his appearance.

Austin has been cleared to work out his upper body, but only with light weight. Until he is able to lift harder and for longer periods, his workouts concentrate on lower body and cardiovascular work.

IN BOX

Q: What happened to Buddy Roberts and Terry Gordy? And, what is Kevin Von Erich doing these days?

- Darrell Dennis

A: There was a time when, along with Michael Hayes, no four names were bigger in the Southwest. The Freebirds and Von Erichs staged some of the most classic wrestling matches ever seen on television. Their feud elevated World Class Championship Wrestling to a national level and made each of them stars. Eventually, the Freebirds went their separate ways. And, sadly, Kevin is the only Von Erich still alive. Roberts lives in Shreveport, La., and does little wrestling. Gordy still wrestles some on the independent circuit. He made an appearance at an NWA Southwest show last summer at the Bronco Bowl in Dallas. He lives outside Chattanooga, Tenn., and does as much fishing as possible. Von Erich still lives on the family ranch north of Dallas. He tends to his cattle and, as he said, "enjoys taking his daughters to school each morning." He makes some personal appearances and promotes his family's wrestling videos on his website, www.vonerich.com.

SIGN OF THE WEEK

When WCW or WWF officials see signs at events that they deem offensive or inappropriate, the signs are usually confiscated quickly. WCW needs to add signs that are demeaning to that list. For the past several weeks, this sign has appeared prominently, especially Monday on Nitro. A fan in the front row ringside who saw considerable air time had a bright yellow sign with large black letters reading: "I wish I was at RAW."

PINPOINTS

A jury acquitted ECW this week in a case involving a fan who claimed he was burned and injured during an ECW event. The fan claimed he was hit with a flaming chair that caused him serious injury and led to other various injuries. Terry Funk and Mick Foley appeared at the trial. ... Bradshaw (John Layfield) was in Rockwall on Thursday to attend a charity event organized by former World Class Championship Wrestling manager and close friend Skandar Akbar. ... According to the WWF's Jim Ross, the company met with University of Minnesota Gopher All-American heavyweight wrestler Brock Lesnar this week. ... Macho Man Randy Savage will take part in "Roller Jam" tapings this weekend. ... The Rock will return to WWF television Monday. He spent the last week in Morocco filming "Mummy 2.". ... With The Rock missing, RAW was down a full ratings point this week to a 6.2 (one ratings point equals approximately 675,000 homes.) The highest-rated segment was the HHH-Vince McMahon interview that Chris Jericho interrupted. The highest-rated segment on Nitro, which drew a 2.8 rating, was Ric Flair's outstanding interview that closed the first hour. ... The WWF has assumed control of its New York City entertainment complex from its licensee. The WWF wants the complex to become more of a complement to its other ventures instead of a theme restaurant. ... Chyna was on ABC's "Good Morning America" Tuesday. ... The new WWF Smackdown 2: Know Your Role PlayStation video game will be available this fall. WWF No Mercy for Nintendo 64 and Game Boy is also scheduled for a fall release. WWF With Authority is a strategy card game that will be available this summer. ... Kanyon rehearsed his fall at Slamboree several times the night before the event. Stunt coordinators were also standing by in case the fall didn't go as planned. ... The Wall attended a Smashing Pumpkins concert this week in Atlanta. ... According to Lycos, "WWF" is the fifth-most requested word on its search engine. ... Kane (Glen Jacobs), who will be at a monster truck show Friday in Lubbock, was scheduled to throw out the first pitch at Wednesday's Cincinnati Reds game. He missed the appearance because of weather in the northeast. Jacobs has been out since WrestleMania with a broken hand, but should be back within two weeks. ... Shane Helms of 3 Count will have nose surgery Friday. The DX music video premiers Monday after RAW on MTV. ... Austin's Dustin Runnels will be back within the month with a character similar to his WWF Goldust gimmick. ... Mideon (Dennis Knight) is back after battling stomach problems. ... Shawn Michaels' Texas Wrestling Alliance is moving its bi-weekly shows to the West Side YMCA in San Antonio. The first show at the new venue is May 26 and will feature D'Lo Brown, Hardcore Holly, Essa Rios and Lita.