The recorded record for WWF shows after Monday Night Raw was established is fairly solid. Most of those results have been cataloged into the databases at CageMatch and WrestlingData. Things are much more spotty for results from the 1960s, 1970s and even early 1980s.
Periodically, I like to audit the current results up at History of WWE and see how complete the record is/is not.
Old results are always challenging because there's a lot of name/spelling issues in the results and everything is (understandably) far less complete. You also have a lot more lines that say "also featured" and "included". These notes often don't get put into databases as wrestling appearances but really should be included because they can represent a large hunk of appearances for some wrestlers.
(I've tried my best to include these appearances in my "match database" that I built.)
The History of WWE - All Events 1963-1992 pages
| year | events | matches | matches per card | year | events | matches | matches per card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1963
|
296
|
1222
|
4.13
|
1978
|
491
|
3182
|
6.48
| |
1964
|
294
|
1271
|
4.32
|
1979
|
437
|
2843
|
6.51
| |
1965
|
259
|
942
|
3.64
|
1980
|
481
|
3033
|
6.31
| |
1966
|
356
|
1271
|
3.57
|
1981
|
474
|
3092
|
6.52
| |
1967
|
296
|
1167
|
3.94
|
1982
|
499
|
3555
|
7.12
| |
1968
|
260
|
1124
|
4.32
|
1983
|
605
|
4092
|
6.76
| |
1969
|
230
|
1185
|
5.15
|
1984
|
688
|
4591
|
6.67
| |
1970
|
250
|
1225
|
4.90
|
1985
|
704
|
4872
|
6.92
| |
1971
|
238
|
1143
|
4.80
|
1986
|
745
|
4386
|
5.89
| |
1972
|
276
|
1405
|
5.09
|
1987
|
750
|
4744
|
6.33
| |
1973
|
232
|
1175
|
5.06
|
1988
|
631
|
4268
|
6.76
| |
1974
|
215
|
953
|
4.43
|
1989
|
617
|
3926
|
6.36
| |
1975
|
343
|
1528
|
4.45
|
1990
|
613
|
4181
|
6.82
| |
1976
|
400
|
2178
|
5.45
|
1991
|
499
|
3878
|
7.77
| |
1977
|
469
|
2792
|
5.95
|
1992
|
494
|
3697
|
7.48
|
Keep in mind that results I used contain a lot more than just WWWF results.
There's lots of results from Toronto, Pittsburgh and international shows (often joint promotions) such as tours with Japanese companies. Still, it's interesting to see some of the trends that emerge.
Here's a look at the average number of matches reported per card:
There's lots of results from Toronto, Pittsburgh and international shows (often joint promotions) such as tours with Japanese companies. Still, it's interesting to see some of the trends that emerge.
Here's a look at the average number of matches reported per card:
Isn't it remarkable how the average number of matches per card has shot up over time?
It goes from about four (1960s) to five (early 1970s) to six (late 1970s) to more than six (1980s) to more than seven (1990s). I believe that this is a combination of lots of factors.
It goes from about four (1960s) to five (early 1970s) to six (late 1970s) to more than six (1980s) to more than seven (1990s). I believe that this is a combination of lots of factors.
The further back you go, the record grows less complete. Oftentimes, only the title matches (especially a world title match) are called out on the cards. The matches from the undercard may be missing. Also, some of these spot shows could actually had far less matches than today's lavish house shows. Lastly, television tapings, particularly the infamous marathon television tapings for syndicated programming from the 1980s and early 1990s, can skew the matches/card metric.
| year | events | att record? | % of events | year | events | att record? | % of events | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1963
|
296
|
21
|
7%
|
1978
|
491
|
21
|
4%
| |
1964
|
294
|
20
|
7%
|
1979
|
436
|
14
|
3%
| |
1965
|
259
|
23
|
9%
|
1980
|
481
|
55
|
11%
| |
1966
|
356
|
11
|
3%
|
1981
|
474
|
71
|
15%
| |
1967
|
294
|
12
|
4%
|
1982
|
499
|
72
|
14%
| |
1968
|
260
|
10
|
4%
|
1983
|
605
|
87
|
14%
| |
1969
|
229
|
20
|
9%
|
1984
|
688
|
195
|
28%
| |
1970
|
250
|
19
|
8%
|
1985
|
704
|
311
|
44%
| |
1971
|
238
|
15
|
6%
|
1986
|
745
|
331
|
44%
| |
1972
|
276
|
10
|
4%
|
1987
|
750
|
367
|
49%
| |
1973
|
232
|
21
|
9%
|
1988
|
632
|
258
|
41%
| |
1974
|
215
|
21
|
10%
|
1989
|
617
|
238
|
39%
| |
1975
|
344
|
17
|
5%
|
1990
|
613
|
287
|
47%
| |
1976
|
401
|
15
|
4%
|
1991
|
499
|
226
|
45%
| |
1977
|
468
|
40
|
9%
|
1992
|
494
|
284
|
57%
|
This looks at what proportion of the wrestling events actually have any sort of "attendance" record connected with it. For the first fifteen years, the percentage is hovering at/below 10%. Things get a lot more complete in the early 1980s (when the Wrestling Observer Newsletter comes along) and by 1985, it's closing in on more than 40% of the events.
When you're trying to evaluate "drawing power" for WWWF champions, these sorts of sample size differences make it tough. Consider, between 1963-1972, Sammartino had well over 1,500 matches. However, there's only records (in this dataset) covering about 67 crowds over ten thousand people. Conversely, in Hulk Hogan's 325 matches between 1985 and 1986, there's over 125 shows with 10k+ crowds. While WWF was extremely hot in the Hulkamania Rock 'n' Wrestling era, it's disingenuous to simply compare the where I have 642 attendance records (1985/1986) and where I only have 161 attendance records (1963-1972).
However, you can look at "drawing power" from within the same time period among WWF stars.
For instance, consider WWF tours with and without Hulk Hogan appearing between 1984-1989. I found 97 cities which had attendance records for shows that both did and did not include Hulk.
Location
|
No Hogan
|
w/ Hogan
|
diff
|
|---|---|---|---|
Albuquerque, NM -- USA
|
2,522
|
7,593
|
5,070
|
Anaheim, CA -- USA
|
3,917
|
8,250
|
4,333
|
Arena St. Louis, MO -- USA
|
5,454
|
10,575
|
5,121
|
Atlanta, GA -- USA
|
3,021
|
4,658
|
1,637
|
Auburn Hills, MI -- USA
|
6,900
|
13,750
|
6,850
|
Baltimore, MD -- USA
|
8,132
|
11,489
|
3,356
|
Binghamton, NY -- USA
|
2,422
|
5,900
|
3,478
|
Birmingham, AL -- USA
|
3,120
|
12,000
|
8,880
|
Boston, MA -- USA
|
10,524
|
12,707
|
2,184
|
Buffalo, NY -- USA
|
5,829
|
9,038
|
3,209
|
Calgary, AB -- CANADA
|
8,500
|
15,000
|
6,500
|
Chicago, IL -- USA
|
7,713
|
12,527
|
4,814
|
Cincinnati, OH -- USA
|
3,830
|
7,981
|
4,151
|
Cleveland, OH -- USA
|
6,671
|
13,250
|
6,579
|
Columbus, OH -- USA
|
3,353
|
21,333
|
17,980
|
Dallas, TX -- USA
|
1,460
|
2,994
|
1,534
|
Dayton, OH -- USA
|
1,000
|
8,000
|
7,000
|
Denver, CO -- USA
|
4,842
|
7,019
|
2,177
|
Des Moines, IA -- USA
|
2,000
|
11,000
|
9,000
|
Detroit, MI -- USA
|
8,473
|
12,263
|
3,790
|
East Rutherford, NJ -- USA
|
8,054
|
14,335
|
6,281
|
Edmonton, AB -- CANADA
|
9,500
|
12,500
|
3,000
|
Erie, PA -- USA
|
2,276
|
4,850
|
2,573
|
Foxboro, MA -- USA
|
12,000
|
23,000
|
11,000
|
Fresno, CA -- USA
|
4,486
|
7,725
|
3,239
|
Glens Falls, NY -- USA
|
5,833
|
8,500
|
2,667
|
Greensboro, NC -- USA
|
1,800
|
2,835
|
1,035
|
Halifax, NS -- CANADA
|
5,667
|
7,500
|
1,833
|
Hamilton, ONT -- CANADA
|
10,560
|
15,500
|
4,940
|
Hartford, CT -- USA
|
6,244
|
11,730
|
5,486
|
Hershey, PA -- USA
|
4,687
|
7,767
|
3,080
|
Houston, TX -- USA
|
5,575
|
5,375
|
(200)
|
Huntsville, AL -- USA
|
9,000
|
6,781
|
(2,220)
|
Indianapolis, IN -- USA
|
7,000
|
8,352
|
1,352
|
Jackson, MS -- USA
|
2,086
|
4,500
|
2,414
|
Joe Louis Detroit, MI -- USA
|
20,000
|
20,997
|
997
|
Kansas City, MO -- USA
|
3,323
|
6,929
|
3,605
|
Kiel Auditorium
- St. Louis, MO -- USA
|
4,067
|
6,387
|
2,320
|
Landover, MD -- USA
|
5,589
|
12,977
|
7,388
|
Las Vegas, NV -- USA
|
3,833
|
10,807
|
6,973
|
Little Rock, AR -- CANADA
|
2,452
|
3,800
|
1,348
|
London, ONT -- CANADA
|
3,918
|
2,500
|
(1,418)
|
Long Island, NY -- USA
|
7,255
|
12,473
|
5,218
|
Los Angeles, CA -- USA
|
8,277
|
12,336
|
4,058
|
Louisville, KY -- USA
|
1,189
|
3,587
|
2,398
|
Madison, WI -- USA
|
4,100
|
7,557
|
3,457
|
Maple Leaf Gardens
Toronto, ONT -- CANADA
|
17,500
|
18,000
|
500
|
Memphis, TN -- USA
|
750
|
4,475
|
3,725
|
Miami, FL -- USA
|
3,041
|
5,104
|
2,063
|
Milwaukee, WI -- USA
|
4,402
|
13,993
|
9,591
|
Minneapolis, MN -- USA
|
2,750
|
7,660
|
4,910
|
Montreal, QC -- CANADA
|
12,737
|
16,167
|
3,429
|
MSG New York City, NY -- USA
|
17,407
|
19,259
|
1,852
|
Nashville, TN -- USA
|
6,482
|
9,000
|
2,518
|
New Haven, CT -- USA
|
4,155
|
9,850
|
5,695
|
New Orleans, LA -- USA
|
1,800
|
6,267
|
4,467
|
Oakland, CA -- USA
|
7,519
|
11,810
|
4,291
|
Oklahoma City, OK -- USA
|
2,175
|
3,472
|
1,297
|
Omaha, NE -- USA
|
5,831
|
9,443
|
3,612
|
Orlando, FL -- USA
|
5,600
|
9,200
|
3,600
|
Osaka, Japan -- JAPAN
|
13,000
|
5,841
|
(7,159)
|
Paris, France -- FRANCE
|
12,000
|
12,000
|
-
|
Peoria, IL -- USA
|
3,789
|
10,500
|
6,711
|
Philadelphia, PA -- USA
|
9,210
|
12,934
|
3,724
|
Phoenix, AZ -- USA
|
6,084
|
11,820
|
5,736
|
Pittsburgh, PA -- USA
|
9,327
|
12,546
|
3,219
|
Pontiac, MI -- USA
|
2,400
|
25,406
|
23,006
|
Portland, ME -- USA
|
3,270
|
8,550
|
5,281
|
Portland, OR -- USA
|
4,000
|
6,750
|
2,750
|
Providence, RI -- USA
|
6,321
|
8,500
|
2,179
|
Richfield, OH -- USA
|
6,214
|
11,793
|
5,579
|
Richmond, VA -- USA
|
6,250
|
8,955
|
2,705
|
Rochester, NY -- USA
|
2,974
|
8,238
|
5,264
|
Rockford, IL -- USA
|
1,917
|
10,000
|
8,083
|
Sacramento, CA -- USA
|
5,282
|
7,880
|
2,598
|
Salisbury, MD -- USA
|
7,000
|
6,850
|
(150)
|
Salt Lake City, UT -- USA
|
5,562
|
7,200
|
1,638
|
San Antonio, TX -- USA
|
9,000
|
6,000
|
(3,000)
|
San Diego, CA -- USA
|
5,871
|
10,875
|
5,004
|
San Francisco, CA -- USA
|
7,189
|
10,500
|
3,311
|
Seattle, WA -- USA
|
5,900
|
16,000
|
10,100
|
South Bend, IN -- USA
|
2,586
|
10,749
|
8,163
|
Springfield, IL -- USA
|
4,217
|
8,302
|
4,086
|
Springfield, MA -- USA
|
4,153
|
6,133
|
1,980
|
St. Louis, MO -- USA
|
3,879
|
6,131
|
2,252
|
Syracuse, NY -- USA
|
2,120
|
6,000
|
3,880
|
Tacoma, WA -- USA
|
7,731
|
15,068
|
7,337
|
Tampa, FL -- USA
|
4,000
|
9,780
|
5,780
|
Tokyo, Japan -- JAPAN
|
10,000
|
11,000
|
1,000
|
Toledo, OH -- USA
|
5,433
|
8,881
|
3,448
|
Toronto, ONT -- CANADA
|
9,849
|
12,810
|
2,961
|
Vancouver, BC -- CANADA
|
4,233
|
16,000
|
11,767
|
Wheeling, WV -- USA
|
3,334
|
7,190
|
3,857
|
Wichita, KS -- USA
|
10,000
|
7,932
|
(2,068)
|
Winnipeg, MB -- CANADA
|
3,600
|
11,894
|
8,294
|
Worcester, MA -- USA
|
2,000
|
9,805
|
7,805
|
Youngstown, OH -- USA
|
2,900
|
6,000
|
3,100
|
| Median | 5,433 | 9,038 | 3,605 |
The initial exercise suggests that in over 90% of the cities, shows with Hogan drew remarkable more than shows without Hogan.
This is certainly not a perfect dataset. There are apples-oranges comparisons including matinees versus evening shows, television tapings versus house shows, pay-per-views versus spot shows, etc. However, the general trend is very telling.
Sure, Hogan was a big attraction the first few times. However, what happens with the Immortal One comes to your town more than a handful of times? Does his drawing power "hold up"?
Let's look at the 44 cities which had at least four visits from Hogan (along with some shows where Hulk Hogan was not there). Again, we must have attendance records available.
| City | Hogan Appearances (w/ att. Record) | First Three Hogan | Remaining | Difference | No Hogan | Judgment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Philadelphia, PA -- USA
|
33
|
12,370
|
12,991
|
620
|
9,210
|
Flat (5%)
|
MSG New York City, NY -- USA
|
28
|
25,795
|
18,475
|
(7,319)
|
17,407
|
Down (-28%)
|
Chicago, IL -- USA
|
24
|
7,500
|
13,245
|
5,745
|
7,713
|
Up (77%)
|
Los Angeles, CA -- USA
|
23
|
8,667
|
12,886
|
4,219
|
8,277
|
Up (49%)
|
Boston, MA -- USA
|
22
|
14,233
|
12,466
|
(1,767)
|
10,524
|
Down (-12%)
|
Minneapolis, MN -- USA
|
22
|
10,500
|
7,211
|
(3,289)
|
2,750
|
Down (-31%)
|
Kiel Auditorium
- St. Louis, MO -- USA
|
19
|
7,647
|
6,150
|
(1,497)
|
4,067
|
Down (-20%)
|
Pittsburgh, PA -- USA
|
18
|
14,667
|
12,121
|
(2,545)
|
9,327
|
Down (-17%)
|
Oakland, CA -- USA
|
15
|
10,733
|
12,079
|
1,346
|
7,519
|
Up (13%)
|
East Rutherford, NJ -- USA
|
14
|
15,918
|
13,903
|
(2,015)
|
8,054
|
Down (-13%)
|
Landover, MD -- USA
|
14
|
15,400
|
12,316
|
(3,084)
|
5,589
|
Down (-20%)
|
Richfield, OH -- USA
|
14
|
13,333
|
11,373
|
(1,961)
|
6,214
|
Down (-15%)
|
Houston, TX -- USA
|
13
|
3,300
|
5,997
|
2,697
|
5,575
|
Up (82%)
|
Toronto, ONT -- CANADA
|
12
|
11,407
|
13,278
|
1,871
|
9,849
|
Up (16%)
|
Hartford, CT -- USA
|
10
|
10,833
|
12,114
|
1,281
|
6,244
|
Up (12%)
|
Milwaukee, WI -- USA
|
9
|
9,784
|
16,097
|
6,313
|
4,402
|
Up (65%)
|
Long Island, NY -- USA
|
9
|
12,945
|
12,237
|
(707)
|
7,255
|
Flat (-5%)
|
Baltimore, MD -- USA
|
9
|
11,367
|
11,550
|
183
|
8,132
|
Flat (2%)
|
Kansas City, MO -- USA
|
9
|
6,333
|
7,226
|
893
|
3,323
|
Up (14%)
|
Detroit, MI -- USA
|
8
|
14,167
|
11,121
|
(3,046)
|
8,473
|
Down (-22%)
|
San Francisco, CA -- USA
|
8
|
7,667
|
12,200
|
4,533
|
7,189
|
Up (59%)
|
Miami, FL -- USA
|
8
|
3,974
|
5,782
|
1,807
|
3,041
|
Up (45%)
|
Providence, RI -- USA
|
7
|
8,667
|
8,375
|
(292)
|
6,321
|
Flat (-3%)
|
Cincinnati, OH -- USA
|
7
|
7,123
|
8,625
|
1,502
|
3,830
|
Up (21%)
|
Denver, CO -- USA
|
7
|
7,454
|
6,693
|
(762)
|
4,842
|
Down (-10%)
|
Montreal, QC -- CANADA
|
6
|
20,333
|
12,000
|
(8,333)
|
12,737
|
Down (-41%)
|
Omaha, NE -- USA
|
6
|
9,115
|
9,771
|
656
|
5,831
|
Flat (7%)
|
Hershey, PA -- USA
|
6
|
8,833
|
6,700
|
(2,133)
|
4,687
|
Down (-24%)
|
Atlanta, GA -- USA
|
6
|
5,500
|
3,815
|
(1,685)
|
3,021
|
Down (-31%)
|
Maple Leaf Gardens Toronto
, ONT -- CANADA
|
5
|
17,833
|
18,250
|
417
|
17,500
|
Flat (2%)
|
Tacoma, WA -- USA
|
5
|
19,746
|
8,050
|
(11,696)
|
7,731
|
Down (-59%)
|
Phoenix, AZ -- USA
|
5
|
11,067
|
12,950
|
1,883
|
6,084
|
Up (17%)
|
Sacramento, CA -- USA
|
5
|
7,133
|
9,000
|
1,867
|
5,282
|
Up (26%)
|
Pontiac, MI -- USA
|
4
|
29,875
|
12,000
|
(17,875)
|
2,400
|
Down (-60%)
|
San Diego, CA -- USA
|
4
|
10,500
|
12,000
|
1,500
|
5,871
|
Up (14%)
|
Arena St. Louis, MO -- USA
|
4
|
11,167
|
8,800
|
(2,367)
|
5,454
|
Down (-21%)
|
New Haven, CT -- USA
|
4
|
9,033
|
12,300
|
3,267
|
4,155
|
Up (36%)
|
Buffalo, NY -- USA
|
4
|
8,833
|
9,651
|
818
|
5,829
|
Flat (9%)
|
Rochester, NY -- USA
|
4
|
8,450
|
7,600
|
(850)
|
2,974
|
Down (-10%)
|
Fresno, CA -- USA
|
4
|
7,300
|
9,000
|
1,700
|
4,486
|
Up (23%)
|
Salt Lake City, UT -- USA
|
4
|
4,933
|
14,000
|
9,067
|
5,562
|
Up (184%)
|
Wheeling, WV -- USA
|
4
|
6,987
|
7,800
|
813
|
3,334
|
Up (12%)
|
Memphis, TN -- USA
|
4
|
4,067
|
5,700
|
1,633
|
750
|
Up (40%)
|
Dallas, TX -- USA
|
4
|
2,126
|
5,600
|
3,474
|
1,460
|
Up (163%)
|
Ultimately, here was the tally:
- 20 cities were UP more than 10% in average attendance in the later Hogan appearances compared to the initial ones.
- 17 cities were DOWN more than 10% in average attendance in later Hogan appearances compare to the initial ones.
- 7 cities were FLAT which meant overall attendance for those Hogan shows after the initial trio was within the +/- 10% of the original Hogan attendances.
There are places like Boston or St. Louis or Minneapolis or Denver or Montreal where it looks like Hogan's repeat appearances might have diminished in effectiveness. Bruno's drawing record at MSG is certainly much stronger (and lengthier) than Hogan's. However, I think it might be an over-simplification to ignore examples of Chicago or Milwaukee or Miami or Phoenix where it appears that Hogan held up just fine with repeat appears. In all, it seems to be a mixed bag.
Honestly, there's the counter-argument that Hogan went back to these cities because it was clear he was still a draw there and it's really about the cities they didn't book because they didn't feel Hogan was going to pop the house. I'd have to keep digging to really make a strong determination.
Hope this was interesting to you faithful readers. All analysis by Chris Harrington.
Twitter: @mookieghana
Email: chris.harrington@gmail.com
Places like Boston or St. Louis or Minneapolis or Denver or Montreal where it looks like Hogan's repeat appearances might have diminished in effectiveness. Bruno's drawing record at MSG is certainly love language quiz much stronger (and lengthier) than Hogan's. However, I think it might be an over-simplification to ignore examples of Chicago or Milwaukee or Miami or Phoenix where it appears that Hogan held up just fine with repeat appears. In all, it seems to be a mixed bag. Honestly, there's the counter-argument that Hogan went back to these cities
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