Monday, July 18, 2011

WWE Raw Feuds

From the debut in 1993 until today, he's the approximate ranking of most WWE RAW TV feuds:

Trish Stratus vs. Victoria: 15 singles matches and 35 tag matches and 1 handicap match
Molly Holly vs. Trish Stratus: 12 singles matches and 24 tag matches and 1 handicap match
Beth Phoenix vs. Mickie James: 10 singles matches and 27 tag matches
The Rock vs. Triple H: 15 singles matches and 17 tag matches and 2 handicap matches
Jillian Hall vs. Mickie James: 5 singles matches and 28 tag matches
Edge vs. John Cena: 13 singles matches and 17 tag matches and 1 handicap match
Beth Phoenix vs. Kelly Kelly: 8 singles matches and 20 tag matches
Jillian Hall vs. Kelly Kelly: 3 singles matches and 24 tag matches
Randy Orton vs. Triple H: 10 singles matches and 10 tag matches and 7 handicap matches
John Cena vs. Randy Orton: 10 singles matches and 13 tag matches and 3 handicap matches
Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels: 7 singles matches and 17 tag matches and 2 handicap matches
Eve vs. Maryse: 6 singles matches and 19 tag matches
Edge vs. Jeff Hardy: 3 singles matches and 20 tag matches and 1 handicap match
Melina vs. Mickie James: 8 singles matches and 16 tag matches
Chris Jericho vs. Rob Van Dam: 10 singles matches and 14 tag matches
Christian vs. Jeff Hardy: 3 singles matches and 21 tag matches
Alicia Fox vs. Gail Kim: 5 singles matches and 18 tag matches
Edge vs. Matt Hardy: 4 singles matches and 18 tag matches and 1 handicap match
Lita vs. Molly Holly: 8 singles matches and 15 tag matches
Chris Jericho vs. Triple H: 6 singles matches and 14 tag matches and 2 handicap matches
Jillian Hall vs. Melina: 7 singles matches and 14 tag matches
Glen Jacobs vs. Triple H: 8 singles matches and 12 tag matches and 1 handicap match
Batista vs. Chris Jericho: 6 singles matches and 11 tag matches and 4 handicap matches
Christian vs. Matt Hardy: 2 singles matches and 19 tag matches
Batista vs. Randy Orton: 11 singles matches and 5 tag matches and 5 handicap matches
Christian vs. Glen Jacobs: 4 singles matches and 15 tag matches and 2 handicap matches
Molly Holly vs. Victoria: 7 singles matches and 13 tag matches
Bubba Ray Dudley vs. Christian: singles matches and 20 tag matches
Gail Kim vs. Maryse: 3 singles matches and 17 tag matches
Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels: 6 singles matches and 12 tag matches and 2 handicap matches

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Has there been any noticeable correlation between RAW ratings and number of PPV buys?

I look at "Has there been any noticeable correlation between RAW ratings and number of PPV buys?"

Here is my chart of PPV buys (usually based on 8-k filings) and domestic buys (estimated based on annual 10-k) combined with some numbers from the Observer. RAW Ratings were based on charts from Gerwick.

RAW Ratings are warts and all = that means I didn't adjust for 3 hour RAWs, I didn't take out non-Monday RAWs, I didn't adjust for major competition weeks. Whatever RAWs aired between PPVs became the average that I used.

And I'm using RAW ratings alone - nothing with Smackdown! (even though there are Smackdown! only PPVs in the beginning of this list) and nothing with other WWE shows (ECW, NXT, Superstars, etc.) I didn't incorporate price increase, UFC competition, major stips (Elimination Chamber, Hell in the Cell), headliners or anything else in this analysis.

PPV LIST
New Year's Revolution (Raw) 2006 = 294 buys / 182 domestic buys with 3.67 RAW rating avg.
Royal Rumble 06 = 548 buys / 334 domestic buys with 4.37 RAW rating avg.
No Way Out 06 (Smackdown!) 2006 = 219 buys / 134 domestic buys with 4.08 RAW rating avg.
WrestleMania 22 2006 = 958 buys / 584 domestic buys with 4.12 RAW rating avg.
Backlash 06 (Raw) 2006 = 213 buys / 130 domestic buys with 4.18 RAW rating avg.
Judgment Day 06 (Smackdown!) 2006 = 238 buys / 143 domestic buys with 4.02 RAW rating avg.
ECW One Night Stand 06 = 294 buys / 176 domestic buys with 3.8 RAW rating avg.
Vengeance 06 (Raw) 2006 = 339 buys / 203 domestic buys with 4.28 RAW rating avg.
Great American Bash (Smackdown!) 2006 = 227 buys / 136 domestic buys with 3.89 RAW rating avg.
Summer Slam 06 = 529 buys / 339 domestic buys with 4.03 RAW rating avg.
Unforgiven 06 (Raw) 2006 = 289 buys / 185 domestic buys with 3.64 RAW rating avg.
No Mercy 06 (Smackdown!) 2006 = 197 buys / 126 domestic buys with 3.57 RAW rating avg.
Cyber Sunday (Raw) 2006 = 228 buys / 141 domestic buys with 3.66 RAW rating avg.
Survivor Series 06 = 383 buys / 237 domestic buys with 3.75 RAW rating avg.
December to Dismember (ECW) 2006 = 90 buys / 56 domestic buys with 3.8 RAW rating avg.
Armageddon (Smackdown!) 2006 = 239 buys / 148 domestic buys with 3.75 RAW rating avg.
New Year's Revolution (Raw) 2007 = 220 buys / 145 domestic buys with 3.37 RAW rating avg.
Royal Rumble 07 = 491 buys / 324 domestic buys with 3.93 RAW rating avg.
No Way Out 07 (Smackdown!) 2007 = 218 buys / 144 domestic buys with 3.75 RAW rating avg.
WrestleMania 23 2007 = 1188 buys / 825 domestic buys with 4.02 RAW rating avg.
Backlash 07 = 194 buys / 128 domestic buys with 3.9 RAW rating avg.
Judgment Day 07 = 242 buys / 160 domestic buys with 3.6 RAW rating avg.
One Night Stand 07 = 186 buys / 123 domestic buys with 3.45 RAW rating avg.
Vengeance "Night of Champions" 2007 = 243 buys / 160 domestic buys with 3.9 RAW rating avg.
Great American Bash 07 (Smackdown!) 2007 = 229 buys / 151 domestic buys with 3.57 RAW rating avg.
Summer Slam 07 = 537 buys / 354 domestic buys with 3.46 RAW rating avg.
Unforgiven 07 (Raw) 2007 = 210 buys / 139 domestic buys with 3.55 RAW rating avg.
No Mercy 07 (Smackdown!) 2007 = 271 buys / 179 domestic buys with 3.3 RAW rating avg.
Cyber Sunday 07 (Raw) 2007 = 194 buys / 128 domestic buys with 3.13 RAW rating avg.
Survivor Series 07 = 341 buys / 225 domestic buys with 3.58 RAW rating avg.
Armageddon 07 = 237 buys / 156 domestic buys with 3.6 RAW rating avg.
Royal Rumble 08 = 533 buys / 352 domestic buys with 3.15 RAW rating avg.
No Way Out 08 = 329 buys / 217 domestic buys with 3.62 RAW rating avg.
WrestleMania 24 2008 = 1058 buys / 697 domestic buys with 3.58 RAW rating avg.
Backlash 08 = 200 buys / 132 domestic buys with 3.36 RAW rating avg.
Judgment Day 08 = 252 buys / 166 domestic buys with 3.26 RAW rating avg.
One Night Stand 08 = 194 buys / 128 domestic buys with 3.06 RAW rating avg.
Night of Champions 08 = 273 buys / 180 domestic buys with 3.21 RAW rating avg.
Great American Bash 08 = 196 buys / 129 domestic buys with 3.4 RAW rating avg.
Summer Slam 08 = 477 buys / 315 domestic buys with 3.35 RAW rating avg.
Unforgiven 08 = 211 buys / 139 domestic buys with 3.01 RAW rating avg.
No Mercy 08 = 261 buys / 172 domestic buys with 2.98 RAW rating avg.
Cyber Sunday 08 = 153 buys / 101 domestic buys with 3 RAW rating avg.
Survivor Series 08 = 319 buys / 211 domestic buys with 2.99 RAW rating avg.
Armageddon 08 = 193 buys / 127 domestic buys with 3.24 RAW rating avg.
Royal Rumble 09 = 450 buys / 284 domestic buys with 3.46 RAW rating avg.
No Way Out 09 = 272 buys / 171 domestic buys with 3.54 RAW rating avg.
WrestleMania 25 2009 = 960 buys / 605 domestic buys with 3.77 RAW rating avg.
Backlash 09 = 182 buys / 115 domestic buys with 3.8 RAW rating avg.
Judgment Day 09 = 228 buys / 144 domestic buys with 3.34 RAW rating avg.
Extreme Rules 09 = 213 buys / 134 domestic buys with 3.41 RAW rating avg.
Great American Bash 09 = 178 buys / 112 domestic buys with 3.94 RAW rating avg.
Night of Champions 09 = 267 buys / 168 domestic buys with 3.63 RAW rating avg.
Summer Slam 09 = 369 buys / 232 domestic buys with 3.77 RAW rating avg.
Breaking Point 2009 = 169 buys / 106 domestic buys with 3.79 RAW rating avg.
Hell in a Cell 2009 = 283 buys / 178 domestic buys with 3.3 RAW rating avg.
Bragging Rights 09 = 181 buys / 114 domestic buys with 3.32 RAW rating avg.
Survivor Series 09 = 235 buys / 148 domestic buys with 3.44 RAW rating avg.
TLC 2009 = 228 buys / 144 domestic buys with 3.2 RAW rating avg.
Royal Rumble 2010 = 462 buys / 282 domestic buys with 3.5 RAW rating avg.
Elimination Chamber 2010 = 285 buys / 174 domestic buys with 3.54 RAW rating avg.
WrestleMania 26 2010 = 885 buys / 498 domestic buys with 3.57 RAW rating avg.
Extreme Rules 2010 = 182 buys / 111 domestic buys with 3.28 RAW rating avg.
Over the Limit 2010 = 218 buys / 121 domestic buys with 3.15 RAW rating avg.
Fatal 4 Way 2010 = 143 buys / 87 domestic buys with 3.2 RAW rating avg.
Money in the Bank 2010 = 165 buys / 101 domestic buys with 3.37 RAW rating avg.
Summer Slam 2010 = 350 buys / 214 domestic buys with 3.38 RAW rating avg.
Night of Champions 2010 = 165 buys / 101 domestic buys with 3.21 RAW rating avg.
Hell in a Cell 2010 = 210 buys / 128 domestic buys with 2.78 RAW rating avg.
Bragging Rights 2010 = 137 buys / 84 domestic buys with 3.12 RAW rating avg.
Survivor Series 2010 = 244 buys / 149 domestic buys with 3.12 RAW rating avg.
TLC 2010 = 195 buys / 119 domestic buys with 3.15 RAW rating avg.
Royal Rumble 2011 = 446 buys / 272 domestic buys with 3.18 RAW rating avg.
Elimination Chamber 2011 = 199 buys / 121 domestic buys with 3.31 RAW rating avg.
WrestleMania 27 2011 = 1042 buys / 617 domestic buys with 3.74 RAW rating avg.
Extreme Rules 2011 = 138 buys / 65 domestic buys with 3.47 RAW rating avg.
Over the Limit 2011 = 220 buys / 113 domestic buys with 3.24 RAW rating avg.
Capitol Punishment 2011 = buys / 0 domestic buys with 3.19 RAW rating avg.


I could post about five pictures, but they largely tell the same story so I'll link the other four and just post the one that I think is relevant:

This is for B-shows (I took out Royal Rumble, Summerslam, Wrestlemania, Survivor Series). I also eliminated ECW December to Dismember.

WWE PPV B-Show Domestic Buys vs. RAW Ratings Average


Other charts
WWE PPV All Shows Worldwide Buys vs RAW Ratings
WWE PPV All Shows Domestic Buys vs RAW Ratings
WWE PPV B-Shows Worldwide Buys vs RAW Ratings

Is there a positive linear trend linking RAW Ratings with domestic PPV buys? Barely. The R-squared is almost zero which indicates that it's almost random (i.e. not correlated).

I'm sure that as one of a whole lot of factors (PPV price, Total WWE Health, PPV Competition, Total WWE Ratings Health in key demographics, Stipulation Strength, "TV Build", etc.) it plays a role, but it certainly doesn't seem to be a driver by any means. Some of those factors are easy to name but hard to define.
(BTW, I did a separate analysis that showed almost no difference between a 3-week and 4-week RAW build in historical PPV business.)

So, where are we now?

Last four RAWs
RAW 6/20/11 : 3.09
RAW 6/27/11 : 3.13
RAW 7/4/11 : 2.4
RAW 7/11/11 : 2.9
Unweighted, holiday-included Average: 2.88
Unweighted, holiday-excluded Average: 3.04

Performance Other PPVs below a 3.1 RAW Average
Hell in a Cell 2010: 2.78 RAW avg = 210 buys / 128 domestic buys
No Mercy 08: 2.98 RAW avg = 261 buys / 172 domestic buys
Survivor Series 08: 2.99 RAW avg = 319 buys / 211 domestic buys
Cyber Sunday 08: 3 RAW avg = 153 buys / 101 domestic buys
Unforgiven 08: 3.01 RAW avg = 211 buys / 139 domestic buys
One Night Stand 08: 3.06 RAW avg = 194 buys / 128 domestic buys

Average of those was 225,000 worldwide buys and 147 domestic buys but that was mostly 2008 numbers with 65% domestic. We're a lot closer to 50% now than we are to two-thirds. However, anything can happen.

-Chris Harrington
indeedwrestling@gmail.com

April 1993 to May 1994 - WO Results Notes

For reasons that I can not completely explain, I decided to run through about 12 months of Wrestling Observers RESULTS sections.

These Results sections offer an interesting window in the wrestling scene at that time, though by no means is it absolutely comprehensive and complete. In fact, major shows like PPVs and Clash of the Champions aren't usually listed in the Results section - especially if they are reviewed in another part of the same issue. Which indies are covered were probably a function of whether there was a reader attending or wrestling on those shows.

Observations:

** Award for World's Most Honest Attendance - NCW in month of May

5/10 Dallas (NCW - 30): Ray Evans b Mad Dog Billy, Sangre Guerrera b El Galena, Guido Falcone (Sweet Daddy Falcone) b El Geminis, Jimmy James & Ebony Prince (Dwayne Meadows) b Billy Steele & Chad Starr, Awesome Kong & King Kong b Steven Dane & Chris Barrett, Rod Price & Scotty Braddock b Iceman King Parsons & Action Jackson

5/24 Dallas (NCW - 11): Mad Dog Billy b Country Dog, Big D b Ray Evans, Iceman King Parsons b Chad Champion, Action Jackson b Billy Steele, Awesome Kong & King Kong b Chris Barrett & Thunder Warrior

5/29 Dallas (NCW - less than a dozen paid): Ray Evans b Big D, Awesome Kong & King Kong b Jimmy James & Chris Barrett, Action Jackson b Killer Tim Brooks-COR, Guido Falcone & Vito Mussolini DCOR Calvin Knapp & Steven Dane, Bill Irwin d Iceman King Parsons, Chris Adams b Scotty Braddock to win NCW title

That's right - they had a show with 18 wrestlers and less than 12 people even paid to attend.

Runner up for this award would probably be the ill-named "North American Wrestling Alliance" (NAWA) which criss-crossed the entire continent by running shows everywhere from Chester, South Carolina all the way down to Welford, South Carolina. Dozens of fans turned out to see to Paul Jones Jr, Rick Link, Gary Royal, Johnny B. Goode and Scotty McKeever.

** Globetrotters

While WWF superstars made it to US, Canada, Israel and Europe the man who really worked his passport to the max from May 1993 to April 1994 was SIONNE~!

Yes, the Barbarian was quite diverse:

He worked American Indies in Michigan alongside Dan Severn and Al Snow and Taz, he showed up in Germany to hang out with Papa Shango, Jushin Liger, Reno Riggins and Stan Hansen. He toured India with "Indo-Asian Wrestling" where he won the IAW Championship by defeating Vladimir Koloff and eventually losing to Giant Warrior Butch Masters in front of a crowd claimed to be 75,000. In July he stopped by Puerto Rico to mix it up with Invader #1, El Bronco #1 and watch Carlos Colon carve up Ricky Santana with barbed wire. And he spent most of the year with New Japan teaming with everyone from Haku, Scott Norton, Masa Saito and Ludvig Borga. Guess he had to do something while he waited for Samu to leave the Head Shrinkers!

Stars (Abdullah the Butcher, Jake Roberts, Terry Funk) and future stars (Chris Jericho) spent time on both sides of the ocean. However, I'm most intrigued by the lesser-known working stiffs (aka non-stars) who got to tour the world like Dusty Wolfe, Rambo and Max Moon/Paul Diamond:

Max "Paul Diamond" Moon - toured with New Japan as "Max Moon" teaming with Wild Pegasus (Chris Benoit), Red Scorpio (Scorpio Jr) and several Brads (Armstrong and Rheingans)! He worked for both AWF - Australia (wrestling Akira Nogami every night) and Puerto Rico. Lastly, he squirmed around US indies doing everything from headlining PA indies against Nailz, competing in a "Hood Match" in ECW alongside the original Tanaka (Pat) against Public Enemy and even working as a Steve Austin jobber in Atlanta.

Dusty Wolfe went to Japan for NOW to get his groove back (part of an ecletic Gaijin list which included Tiger Ali Singh, Rockin' Rebel and Sweet Daddy Guido Falcone's tag partner Vito Mussolini), fighting to take the WWF jobber mantel by defeating Jose Luis Rivera in WWC and battling the legendary Lord Zoltan in American States Wrestling.

** Stipulations!

I always love digging through the archives for fun stipulations.
Some winners:

4/17/93 Circleville, OH (Big Time Wrestling/Bobby Fulton promoter - 200): Loser has to ride a donkey: Bobby Fulton b Grim Reaper (this should have been the main event instead of Ron Garvin DCOR Abdullah the Butcher)

5/7/93 Dallas Sportatorium (GWF - 1,300/125 paid): Branding iron on pole match: Angel b Black Bart

6/27/93 Dallas (Big D - 290): Hair vs. beard street fight: Big D b Handsome One

8/18 Jefferson City, TN (SMW - 275): Losers must bungee jump: Rock & Roll Express b Heavenly Bodies-DQ (Cornette loves stips like Russo loves poles)

9/2/93 Winnipeg (River City Wrestling): Losers wears a dress: Caveman Broda b Dakota Moondog

10/30/93 Bensalem, PA (NWA - 1,000): Loser gets spanked: Sherri Martel b Jim Cornette (this card was quite the affair with Steve Keirn as Doink, Brian Hildebrand as a Ninja Turtle, Ted DiBiase, Terry Funk, Sabu, Chris Candido and "Ed the Razor" who may have been Beefcake). And yes, this show is on DVD on Fan Cam.

11/26 Knoxville (SMW - 1,280): Loser gets tarred and feathered: Bobby Blaze b Chris Candido (Candido actually did this stip that whole week 11/25, 11/26 and 11/27 along with losing a battle Battle Royal 10/1 where the last man out, him, received that punishment).

11/27/93 Central City, KY (Tri-State Wrestling): Loser must kiss a pig: Dan Shannon b Mountain Man Miller (somehow Mike Samples and Mad Man Pondo managed to be in the other matches)

11/29/93 Memphis (USWA): Loser eats dog food: Little Eagle b Midget D

12/9/93 Indianapolis (Championship Wrestling from Indiana - 450): Flash Flash Flannagan won Royal Rumble rules everyone armed with a board match (GIANT BOARD WITH NAILS IN IT!)

1/27/94 Tokyo Korakuen Hall (Pro Wrestling Crusaders - 600): Nail barricade death match: Power X I & II b Shunji Takano & Nobutaka Araya

2/4 Winnipeg (West Four Wrestling Alliance): Loser chews on winners socks: Chief Saddlebaggs b Steve Stryker (there was a man named "The Sicko" who wrestled on this card - but not in this match?!)

2/14 Memphis (USWA - 825): Hubcap on pole: Wolfie D b J.C. Ice, Unified title vs. Eddie Gilbert's car: Eddie Gilbert b Jerry Lawler-COR to win title (two Car-related stips on one card! Take that Bischoff Autoracing/Wrestling fed!)

** Hardest Working Woman in Show Business!

Now, there are many events - especially from the major federations - which aren't covered in the RESULTS section - usually if they have a separate review elsewhere in the issue. So, WWF and WCW wrestlers are probably under-represented. Additionally, while I've done some name cleanups - there are still 6,000 names listed and I know there are some duplicates.



That said, look at the All Japan Women - particularly in October 1993!

For instance, he was Toyota's schedule:
10/2 Chigasaki (All Japan women - 2,150): Manami Toyota & Mima Shimoda b Etsuko Mita & Suzuka Minami
10/4 Iwase (All Japan women - 1,215): Manami Toyota & Kaoru Ito b Yumiko Hotta & Suzuka Minami
10/5 Kanagawa (All Japan women): Manami Toyota & Yumiko Hotta b Suzuka Minami & Etsuko Mita
10/6 Utsunomiya (All Japan women - 1,730): Yumiko Hotta & Takako Inoue b Manami Toyota & Toshiyo Yamada
10/7 Moriya (All Japan women - 1,075): Toshiyo Yamada & Etsuko Mita b Manami Toyota & Mima Shimoda
10/9 Tokyo Bay NK Hall (All Japan Women Wrestlemarinpiad '93 - 6,700 sellout): Manami Toyota b Mayumi Ozaki (JWP)
10/10 Tokyo Korakuen Hall (All Japan women - 2,100 sellout): Manami Toyota & Asari b Tomoko Watanabe & Kaoru Ito
10/11 Mito (All Japan women - 1,620): Manami Toyota & Toshiyo Yamada & Kyoko Inoue b Aja Kong & Bull Nakano & Suzuka Minami 22:17
10/12 Fukuyama (All Japan women - 1,675): Manami Toyota b Sakie Hasegawa
10/13 Munakata (All Japan women - 1,120): Manami Toyota & Toshiyo Yamada b Yumiko Hotta & Takako Inoue
10/14 Sakuse (All Japan women - 1,001): Manami Toyota & Mima Shimoda b Kaoru Ito & Sakie Hasegawa
10/15 Hakata (All Japan women): Manami Toyota b Suzuka Minami
10/16 Kagoshima (All Japan women - 1,730): Manami Toyota & Aja Kong b Toshiyo Yamada & Kyoko Inoue
10/17 Kumamoto (All Japan women - 1,380): Toshiyo Yamada & Yumiko Hotta b Manami Toyota & Sakie Hasegawa
10/18 Mitsua (All Japan - 1,190): Aja Kong & Suzuka Minami b Manami Toyota & Yumiko Hotta
10/19 Himdeo (All Japan women - 1,320): Manami Toyota & Toshiyo Yamada b Aja Kong & Sakie Hasegawa 20:59
10/20 Miyagi (All Japan women - 1,480): Manami Toyota & Suzuka Minami b Aja Kong & Numacchi
10/21 Omura (All Japan women - 1,100): Manami Toyota & Akira Hokuto b Etsuko Mita & Mima Shimoda
10/22 Miyazaki (All Japan women - 1,569): Manami Toyota & Sakie Hasegawa b Kaoru Ito & Yumiko Hotta
10/23 Moji (All Japan Women - 1,230): Kyoko Inoue & Toshiyo Yamada b Yumiko Hotta & Manami Toyota
10/28 Shizuoka (All Japan women - 1,550): Manami Toyota & Akira Hokuto b Eagle Sawai & Yasha Kurenai
10/29 Fukyama (All Japan women - 1,695): Manami Toyota & Akira Hokuto b Kaoru Ito & Tomoko Watanabe

That's 22 matches in 28 days.

When you look at who performed in front of the most people that year, the list is geared towards the people you'd expect:

* New Japan (Jushin Liger, Hiroshi Hase, Tatsumi Fujinami, Masa Chono, Satoshi Kojima, Takayuki Iizuka, Shinya Hashimoto, Akira Nogami, El Samurai, Kengo Kimura, Manabu Nakanishi, Yuji Nagata, Shiro Koshinaka, Michiyoshi Ohara, Shinjiro Otani, Keiji Muto, Great Kabuki, Osamu Kido, Kuniaki Kobayashi, Tatsutoshi Goto)

* All Japan (Masa Fuchi, Rusher Kimura, Kenta Kobashi, Akira Taue, Giant Baba, Haruka Eigen, Toshiaki Kawada, Yoshinari Ogawa, Takao Omori, Mitsuharu Misawa, Stan Hansen, Steve Williams, Mighty Inoue, Mitsuo Momota, Satoru Asako, Jun Akiyama, Masao Inoue, The Eagle, Dan Kroffat, Doug Furnas, Johnny Ace, Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, Ryuma Izumida, Richard Slinger)

* WWF (Yokozuna, Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Razor Ramon, Samu, Lex Luger, Fatu, Bam Bam Bigelow, Tatanka, Mike Shaw, Shawn Michaels, Rick Steiner, Jacques Rougeau, Doink the Clown, Sean Waltman, Billy Gunn, Bart Gunn, Scott Steiner, Quebecer Pierre, IRS)

* FMW (Tarzan Goto, Atsushi Onita, Megumi Kudo, Ricky Fuji, Miwa Sato, Yukie Nabeno, Mr Pogo, The Gladiator, Big Titan, Crusher Maedomari, Shark Tsuchiya, Sambo Asako, Mr Gannosuke) - Terry Funk might belong on this list with the huge stadium show he did with Onita

* AAA (Octagon, Perro Aguayo, El Hijo del Santo, Love Machine, Rey Misterio Jr, Blue Panther, Cien Caras, Fuerza Guerrera, Heavy Metal, Mascara Ano 2000, Konnan El Barbaro, La Parka, Volador, Misterioso, Winners, Latin Lover, Jerry Estrada, Mascara Sagrada, El Satanico, Universo 2000, Angel Azteca, Psicosis, Fishman, Eddy Guerrero, Vulcano)

* EMLL (Pierroth Jr, Atlantis, Haku, Negro Casas, La Fiera, Jaque Mate, El Dandy, Emilio Charles Jr, Ultimo Dragon, Mano Negra, Dr Wagner Jr, Black Magic, Mocho Cota, Escudero Rojo, Javier Cruz, Kahos I, Gran Markus Jr, Felino, Ciclon Ramirez, Metalico, Pantera II, Olimpus, Chris Jericho, America, Aguila Solitaria, Canadian Vampire Casanova)

* All Japan Women (Manami Toyota, Kyoko Inoue, Toshiyo Yamada, Aja Kong, Yumiko Hotta, Kaoru Ito, Etsuko Mita, Suzuka Minami, Takako Inoue, Mima Shimoda, Tomoko Watanabe, Bull Nakano, Sakie Hasegawa, Chikako Shiratori, Akira Hokuto)

* UWFi (Yoshihiro Takayama, Yoji Anjyo, Yuko Miyato, Nobuhiko Takada, Naoki Sano, Gary Albright, Kazuo Yamazaki, Kiyoshi Tamura, Dan Severn, Badnews Allen, Dennis Koslowski, Tatsuo Nakano, Hiromitsu Kanehara, Tom Burton, Super Vader, Greg Bobchick, Tommy Cairo, Jean Lydick, Billy Scott, Kazushi Sakuraba, Masahito Kakihara, Mark Silver)

* WCW (Sting, Steve Regal, Dustin Rhodes, Rick Rude, Steve Austin, Rick Steamboat, Ric Flair, Marcus Bagwell, Arn Anderson, Too Cold Scorpio, Paul Orndorff, Brian Pillman, Davey Boy Smith, Nasty Boys)

* UWA (Canek, Transformer, El Texano, Yamato, El Signo, Villanos IV, Super Astro. Principe Maya, Negro Navarro, Dos Caras, Scorpio Jr)

* WAR (Koki Kitahara, Genichiro Tenryu, Ashura Hara, Ultimo Dragon, Nobukazu Hirai, Super Strong Machine, Hiromichi Fuyuki, Masao Orihara, Great Kabuki, Yuji Yasuraoka, John Tenta, Takashi Ishikawa, Arashi, Masanobu Kurisu, Haku, Shiro Koshinaka, Black Cat, Koji Ishinriki, Masashi Aoyagi, Jado, Gedo)

** Not a lot of Fed Jumpers!

Appears to have worked AAA and EMLL in the same year
Pirata Morgan, Piratita Morgan, and MS 1
(not sure if they're all the same person or not but that's what I noticed)

Appears to have worked WWF and WCW in the same year

Terry Taylor (jobbed in WCW to Godwinns, Roma/Orndorff, Ron Simmons, Jim Steele, Steve Austin, Steve Regal, Tom Zenk and TERRA RIZING~!), Van Hammer (jobbed to Damian Demento) and Joey Maggs (jobbed to Bam Bam in WWF and jobbed to Cole Twins, Johnny Gunn, Bagwell, Maxx PAyne, Too Cold and Erik Watts in WCW).

I didn't see anyone who worked both New Japan and All Japan the same year.

There were a few people who worked both ECW and USWA that same year - namely Eddie Gilbert, Axl & Ian Rotten and THE WOLFMAN~!

** Birth of the Triangle Match?
Besides the Jake Roberts triplemania deal, AAA, ECW, MECW/ASWA and SMW all held multi-team or multi-man matches that year including:

3/28 Beckley, WV (SMW - 500): Smoky Mountain Showdown street fight: Rock & Roll Express won over Dutch Mantell & Jimmy Golden and Stan Lane & Tom Prichard

4/17 Johnson City, TN (SMW - 860): Rock & Roll Express beat Stan Lane & Tom Prichard (DQ) and Robert Fuller & Jimmy Golden in three-team Smoky Mountain showdown @@@3/4

10/1 Juan de la Barrera Gym in Mexico City (AAA - 6,000): Huichol won triangular match from Misterioro and Vulcano @

10/2 Philadelphia (ECW TV taping - 400): Cage match: Public Enemy won three-team elimination of Tanaka & Diamond and Rottens

10/23 Pigeon Forge, TN (SMW - 300): Rock & Roll Express won four-corners tag match from Armstrongs, Heavenly Bodies and Bruise Brothers

11/14 Essex, MD (MEWF/ASWA - 625) Axl & Ian Rotten won 4-team Death match over Tony Stetson & Johnny Hot Body, Rich Myers & Jimmy Janetty and Southern Destruction

** Worst Match I could imagine

4/9 Linden, NJ (WWWA - 400): Mad Russian b Super Nova, Drake Debonair b Bobby Piper, Frankie Burns b Amazing Martine, Jack Hammer b Rick Ratchett, Diamond Express b Mr. Motion & Ace Darling, Jimmy Snuka b Metal Maniac, Abdullah the Butcher DDQ Nailz

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Since 2008, WWE PPVs that have done more than 170,000 domestic buys

There's been a lot of buzz about this Sunday's Money in the Bank PPV and especially the storyline between John Cena and CM Punk. This well may be the last appearance of CM Punk in WWE for some time and the last month of well-executed worked shoot promos have captivated the attention of the many. Some are predicting that this PPV might finally break the 170k domestic B-show ceiling.

Some perspective on that subject:

Since 2008, WWE PPVs that have done more than 170,000 domestic buys:

Royal Rumble
Royal Rumble 08: 352 domestic buys
Royal Rumble 09: 284 domestic buys
Royal Rumble 10: 282 domestic buys
Royal Rumble 11: 272 domestic buys

Wrestlemania
WrestleMania 24: 697 domestic buys
WrestleMania 25: 605 domestic buys
WrestleMania 26: 498 domestic buys
WrestleMania 27: 617 domestic buys

Hell in a Cell/Elimination Chamber PPVs
No Way Out 08: 217 domestic buys (Elimination Chamber)
No Way Out 09: 171 domestic buys (Elimination Chamber)
Hell in a Cell 09: 178 domestic buys (Hell in a Cell)
Elimination Chamber 2010: 174 domestic buys (Elimination Chamber)

Summer Slam
Summer Slam 08: 315 domestic buys
Summer Slam 09: 232 domestic buys
Summer Slam 2010: 214 domestic buys

Other PPVs
Night of Champions 08: 180 domestic buys (Edge/Batitsta, HHH/Cena)
No Mercy 08: 172 domestic buys (HHH/Jeff Hardy, Jericho/HBK Ladder Match)
Survivor Series 08: 211 domestic buys (Team HBK vs Team JBL, Undertaker/Big Show Casket, Team Orton vs Team Batista, Edge/HHH/Kozlov, Cena/Jericho)

Last Five Years of July PPV
Great American Bash (Smackdown!) = 7/23/2006 in Indianapolis, IN = 227k buys @ $39.95 = 60% domestic =136k domestic buys
Great American Bash 07 (Smackdown!) = 7/22/2007 in San Jose, CA = 229k buys @ $39.95 = 66% domestic = 151k domestic buys
Great American Bash 08 = 7/20/2008 in Long Island, NY = 196k buys @ $39.95 = 66% domestic = 129k domestic buys
Night of Champions 09 = 7/26/2009 in Philadelphia, PA = 267k buys @ $39.95 = 63% domestic = 168k domestic buys
Money in the Bank = 7/18/2010 in Kansas City, MO = 165k buys @ $44.95 = 61% domestic = 101k domestic buys*

*) UFC 116 with Brock/Carwin was 7/3/2010 so that shouldn't have affected killed last year's MITB PPV.