2009 Buyrates Spell End Of Survivor Series

[MGH]

The 4th quarter PPV buy rates are in. WWE's new PPVs where they gimmicked up the shows had the expected result in year one with noticeable spikes in purchases. The one Big 4 show in this period, headlined by DX challenging John Cena for the WWE Championship dropped way off.


Hell in a Cell (TM) / No Mercy (R) (2009) 283,000 - (2008) 261,000

Bragging Rights (TM) / Cyber Sunday (R) (2009) 181,000 - (2008) 153,000

Survivor Series (R) (2009) 235,000 - (2008) 319,000

WWE TLC (TM) / Armageddon (R) (2009) 228,000 - (2008) 193,000

-PWInsider.com


So, thoughts? I still think shows like HIAC and TLC will lose their luster really fast in the next couple of years if they continue branding shows and not allowing feuds to dictate when and where those matches should be used. For now though, can't argue the results for this one period.


*EDIT*

- Regarding Survivor Series dropping in buyrate, while Vince said it was one of the "original four" PPV events, they felt the title had "outlived its usefulness" and would be rebranded. So, there will not be another PPV called "Survivor Series" going forward.

[Robbymac]

Actually, what I think that shows more than anything is that the whole Big 4 concept is pretty much gone. The same amount of people buy the shows every month regardless as opposed to a noticable spike for the big boys.

I think Rumble and Mania will be immune to this, to a point

[Metalheadbanger Man]

I guess the changes have worked for now, but I can't see it lasting. They should really scrap the Bragging Rights concept too - for a start nobody really cares about which brand is superior; the whole trophy thing was forgotten about after a couple of weeks anyway. Plus it means that bitter rivals have to team up just to show that their brand its better. Its ridiculous.

I prefer the Cyber Sunday concept, to be honest. They should bring it back.

[Jay Carroll]

I'm actually on the opposite side of the fence when it comes to Bragging Rights, although I hate the fact that it basically crushes the gimmick that Survivor Series is supposed to have. The gimmick PPVs may have worked this year, but I can't see a slew of feuds that are being pushed into certain matches having the same ability to sell PPVs as a feud that has been well built and deserves the gimmick match it's to be contested in.

[Deleted]

The oversaturation of PPVs has made the "Big 4" irrelevant. I mean, what's the point in hyping the hell out of Survivor Series, when you know that TLC will be coming afterwords?

I think that some people get a little burned out by the sheer number, as well as the price (now, I think some people pitch in the pay for 'em).

This can be fixed: first, get rid of the Elimination Chamber PPV. That'll give you 2 months to hype WrestleMania, and since it's the most expensive PPV, you'll get a lot out of it.

[Tombi]

Even though the actual concept doesn't make that much sense in terms of the rest of the year, I do think Bragging Rights adds a great warfare element in the buildup and show itself - and I'd like it to stay. Sure as hell better than the stale bread known as Cyber Sunday at least.

Hell In A Cell I didn't really care for, if only because most of it felt like an afterthought. The buildup for most matches was rushed, sloppy and I don't remember an actual "blow off" match on the card. DX v. Legacy and Orton v. Cena were both very good matches though, I'm just still curious why they didn't call off Taker v. Punk when the Deadman was in no condition at all. At least it was their first year of doing it.

TLC was good stuff, nice to see people went for it. Survivor Series didn't feel all that big this year, but it was at least entertaining.

[Confused Mark Wahlberg]

Also, G's up, Hoes down.

But, Hoes have made up significant ground on G's in the last fiscal quarter, surprising many pundits.

[The Possum]

I hate those gimmick PPVs so much. Bragging Rights is fine, but HIAC and TLC need to die.

[Deleted]

Like I said in the other thread, I don't believe Survivor Series is a big four PPV anymore. Not only because No Way Out, Night of Champions AND Hell in a Cell got more buys, but also because the Bragging Rights PPV renders about half the matches on the card worthless. Between gimmick PPV's like HIAC and TLC it doesn't stand out anymore.

And another note about the buyrates:

2008 Average Buyrate: 332,000
2009 Average Buyrate: 301,000

[Metalheadbanger Man]

I thought the Bragging Rights PPV in itself was fine, its just that as a concept I think its stupid. Plus, I couldn't stand the commentary that night saying inane things like "The crowd is solidly behind RAW!", when in actuality they were cheering Kofi Kingston beating up Chris Jericho.

If they won't bring Cyber Sunday back, then do what they did in 2008 and have a Championship Scramble-based PPV.

[MGH]

- Regarding Survivor Series dropping in buyrate, while Vince said it was one of the "original four" PPV events, they felt the title had "outlived its usefulness" and would be rebranded. So, there will not be another PPV called "Survivor Series" going forward.

Survivor Series is the first of the big traditional PPVs to bite the dust.

[Agent P]

Unfortunatly Vince is right. I haven't had too much interest in one since the one I went to in 2006.

[American Dragon]

Feb 11, 2010 11:55:34 GMT -5 Agent P said:

Unfortunatly Vince is right. I haven't had too much interest in one since the one I went to in 2006.

Yeah, I was there too, it was the last Survivor Series I really cared about. But it does suck that they're getting rid of a PPV that they've had for such a long time. I mean, it's not the fact that I'm sad that they're getting rid of the PPV, but moreso that they'll replace it with some horrible gimmick PPV.

[jobsquad]

bring back Starrcade :clap clap clapclapclap:

[Steveweiser]

Sad to see Survivor Series go, but as a concept, it was the least popular of the Big 4, and had seen far better days. Hope what they replace it with is another revolutionary concept.

[MGH]

"We think that Survivor Series is obsolete, as far as that title is concerned. It was something that worked many, many years ago, in terms of a creative standpoint, various teams competing. That really is not advantageous as the consumer now looks as what actually they are buying. And it's such a broad ... Survivor Series yes, many years ago, was one of the original four pay-per-views, but it's outlasted its usage and it is one of the things in terms of rebranding, this year and going forward, that will be rebranded. No longer will we have that title, Survivor Series."

[forgottensinpwf]

Feb 11, 2010 11:52:29 GMT -5 MGH said:

- Regarding Survivor Series dropping in buyrate, while Vince said it was one of the "original four" PPV events, they felt the title had "outlived its usefulness" and would be rebranded. So, there will not be another PPV called "Survivor Series" going forward.

Survivor Series is the first of the big traditional PPVs to bite the dust.

King of the Ring was technically the first.

[jobsquad]

Feb 11, 2010 12:08:15 GMT -5 MGH said:

"We think that Survivor Series is obsolete, as far as that title is concerned. It was something that worked many, many years ago, in terms of a creative standpoint, various teams competing. That really is not advantageous as the consumer now looks as what actually they are buying. And it's such a broad ... Survivor Series yes, many years ago, was one of the original four pay-per-views, but it's outlasted its usage and it is one of the things in terms of rebranding, this year and going forward, that will be rebranded. No longer will we have that title, Survivor Series."

LOL at the current bookers complaining about creativity, since they, you know, have none.

[bob]

the buy rate is a result of craptastic build up

[forgottensinpwf]

Feb 11, 2010 12:08:15 GMT -5 MGH said:

"We think that Survivor Series is obsolete, as far as that title is concerned. It was something that worked many, many years ago, in terms of a creative standpoint, various teams competing. That really is not advantageous as the consumer now looks as what actually they are buying. And it's such a broad ... Survivor Series yes, many years ago, was one of the original four pay-per-views, but it's outlasted its usage and it is one of the things in terms of rebranding, this year and going forward, that will be rebranded. No longer will we have that title, Survivor Series."

Get ready for WWE 10 man tag.