Biggest "box office bombs" in wrestling

[Jindrak Mark]

Goldberg's entire 03-04 WWE run probably counts as a disappointment but in particular his first match v Rock at Backlash didn't live up to the hype at all.

On paper it was a dream match between megastars yet it's a match that's practically never referenced. I don't think they'd particularly care about it not being a great wrestling match if it at least did huge business like it was supposed to but it didn't even sell out the arena and did such a middle of the road PPV buyrate that HHH v Nash at Bad Blood with Goldberg in the midcard v Jericho did way better.

There was actually a recent quote from Bruce Prichard saying in the weeks before Backlash Rock was trying to politic into a match with Rey Mysterio instead despite being the guy who originally helped convince Goldberg to come in and do a big match with him. I doubt this is exactly how it went down but I want to believe Rock agreed to the Goldberg match thinking it would be this epic deal then when he sat down to study tape of WCW Goldberg to prepare for the match he saw how reckless he was in the ring and was terrified of getting hurt right before filming a movie and was like hey, I actually like this guy with the mask, maybe Jericho or HHH would make more sense for Goldberg.

[thecrusherwi]

I'm not sure if they outright lost money on it, but WrestleMania XI has to be one of the biggest disappointments in WWE history. They spent so much money to get legitimate celebrities to the show. Pamela Anderson was a megastar at the time, and the "lesser" celebs were all from top rated network TV shows at a time when the top TV shows were watched by tens of millions of people each week. And then they had NFL megastar Lawrence Taylor flanked by some of the legit top defensive stars in the NFL. Three of LT's All Pro team are in the Hall of Fame, Mongo likely will be this year, and Banks, Norton, and Spielman were perennial Pro Bowlers who may get into the HOF some day. They were all top tier sports stars. I have to think that Vince thought this show was going to launch the New Generation like Wrestlemania I used it's mainstream celebrities to launch the Hogan Era. At the beginning of the show, it's clear Vince was expecting lots of new fans to be watching the show judging from his commentary. And then the show is lackluster. It's was panned by wrestling fans and basically ignored by non-wrestling fans. It had a buyrate around 20% lower than the year before. It was so bad that despite business lagging, Vince decided the next year to make Wrestlemania XII basically a straight up wrestling show for wrestling fans. No stars and puts a 60 minute workrate match on top. I almost think the concept of the New Generation died in Vince's mind that day.

[Rumble McSkirmish]

Jan 5, 2024 17:23:42 GMT -5 thecrusherwi said:

I'm not sure if they outright lost money on it, but WrestleMania XI has to be one of the biggest disappointments in WWE history. They spent so much money to get legitimate celebrities to the show. Pamela Anderson was a megastar at the time, and the "lesser" celebs were all from top rated network TV shows at a time when the top TV shows were watched by tens of millions of people each week. And then they had NFL megastar Lawrence Taylor flanked by some of the legit top defensive stars in the NFL. Three of LT's All Pro team are in the Hall of Fame, Mongo likely will be this year, and Banks, Norton, and Spielman were perennial Pro Bowlers who may get into the HOF some day. They were all top tier sports stars. I have to think that Vince thought this show was going to launch the New Generation like Wrestlemania I used it's mainstream celebrities to launch the Hogan Era. At the beginning of the show, it's clear Vince was expecting lots of new fans to be watching the show judging from his commentary. And then the show is lackluster. It's was panned by wrestling fans and basically ignored by non-wrestling fans. It had a buyrate around 20% lower than the year before. It was so bad that despite business lagging, Vince decided the next year to make Wrestlemania XII basically a straight up wrestling show for wrestling fans. No stars and puts a 60 minute workrate match on top. I almost think the concept of the New Generation died in Vince's mind that day.

The last point is ironic considering that WrestleMania 12's branding was Hollywood themed with one of the marquee matches being the Hollywood Backlot Brawl and the event logo modeled after the 20'th Century Fox logo. (And the fact the event took place in Anaheim and not Los Angeles.)

[J. Hova]

The Ultimate Warrior's WWF Title run. They christened him as the next big thing, the man to take the WWF into the 90s, and by about every metric, business dropped and badly. I get that the reason it went so far down was because it was so high to begin with, but it was hugely disappointing. Some 16 months after his big win, he's out on his ass, comes back for a few months, and is gone again for four years.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Jan 5, 2024 17:23:42 GMT -5 thecrusherwi said:

I'm not sure if they outright lost money on it, but WrestleMania XI has to be one of the biggest disappointments in WWE history. They spent so much money to get legitimate celebrities to the show. Pamela Anderson was a megastar at the time, and the "lesser" celebs were all from top rated network TV shows at a time when the top TV shows were watched by tens of millions of people each week. And then they had NFL megastar Lawrence Taylor flanked by some of the legit top defensive stars in the NFL. Three of LT's All Pro team are in the Hall of Fame, Mongo likely will be this year, and Banks, Norton, and Spielman were perennial Pro Bowlers who may get into the HOF some day. They were all top tier sports stars. I have to think that Vince thought this show was going to launch the New Generation like Wrestlemania I used it's mainstream celebrities to launch the Hogan Era. At the beginning of the show, it's clear Vince was expecting lots of new fans to be watching the show judging from his commentary. And then the show is lackluster. It's was panned by wrestling fans and basically ignored by non-wrestling fans. It had a buyrate around 20% lower than the year before. It was so bad that despite business lagging, Vince decided the next year to make Wrestlemania XII basically a straight up wrestling show for wrestling fans. No stars and puts a 60 minute workrate match on top. I almost think the concept of the New Generation died in Vince's mind that day.

I have to bring this up because it’s always hilarious. The opening of Mania 11 shows all the celebrities they’ve had at Mania. Ray Charles, Ali, Lauper, Mr. T, Uecker, Run DMC….they do it Mania by Mania…Mania 9’s celebs? Jim Ross and an elephant.

[jason1980s]

Jan 5, 2024 19:06:57 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

I have to bring this up because it’s always hilarious. The opening of Mania 11 shows all the celebrities they’ve had at Mania. Ray Charles, Ali, Lauper, Mr. T, Uecker, Run DMC….they do it Mania by Mania…Mania 9’s celebs? Jim Ross and an elephant.

I wonder if that was a Vince or company rib on Jim Ross. Natalie Cole was the only celebrity there but she was in the audience only.

I'm surprised WWF didn't go with celebrities at the event and also VIII I think only had Reba. Las Vegas surely had a number of people, whether it be old singers or comedians from Vince's era. Jerry Lewis lived there, Shecky Greene as I just read in his death notice. Wayne Newton lives there.

[fg]

Jan 5, 2024 20:46:11 GMT -5 jason1980s said:

Jan 5, 2024 19:06:57 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

I have to bring this up because it’s always hilarious. The opening of Mania 11 shows all the celebrities they’ve had at Mania. Ray Charles, Ali, Lauper, Mr. T, Uecker, Run DMC….they do it Mania by Mania…Mania 9’s celebs? Jim Ross and an elephant.

I wonder if that was a Vince or company rib on Jim Ross. Natalie Cole was the only celebrity there but she was in the audience only.

I'm surprised WWF didn't go with celebrities at the event and also VIII I think only had Reba. Las Vegas surely had a number of people, whether it be old singers or comedians from Vince's era. Jerry Lewis lived there, Shecky Greene as I just read in his death notice. Wayne Newton lives there.

The steroid scandal scared celebrities away.

However I do remember on one of the episodes of the syndicated shows in March, Lord Alfred Hayes talked about WM9 and said that there was gonna be celebrities. That never happened.

I do remember them mentioning a year after the fact that George Foreman was there. I think that may have been a retcon since George wasn’t at the event.

[DiBiase is Good]

Jan 5, 2024 20:46:11 GMT -5 jason1980s said:

Jan 5, 2024 19:06:57 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

I have to bring this up because it’s always hilarious. The opening of Mania 11 shows all the celebrities they’ve had at Mania. Ray Charles, Ali, Lauper, Mr. T, Uecker, Run DMC….they do it Mania by Mania…Mania 9’s celebs? Jim Ross and an elephant.

I wonder if that was a Vince or company rib on Jim Ross. Natalie Cole was the only celebrity there but she was in the audience only.

I'm surprised WWF didn't go with celebrities at the event and also VIII I think only had Reba. Las Vegas surely had a number of people, whether it be old singers or comedians from Vince's era. Jerry Lewis lived there, Shecky Greene as I just read in his death notice. Wayne Newton lives there.

WM8 also had the guy who hosted Family Feud (can’t remember his name right now). Same guy who was on guest commentary during the Hart Family match at Survivor Series 93.

[fg]

Jan 5, 2024 20:46:11 GMT -5 jason1980s said:

Jan 5, 2024 19:06:57 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

I have to bring this up because it’s always hilarious. The opening of Mania 11 shows all the celebrities they’ve had at Mania. Ray Charles, Ali, Lauper, Mr. T, Uecker, Run DMC….they do it Mania by Mania…Mania 9’s celebs? Jim Ross and an elephant.

I wonder if that was a Vince or company rib on Jim Ross. Natalie Cole was the only celebrity there but she was in the audience only.

I'm surprised WWF didn't go with celebrities at the event and also VIII I think only had Reba. Las Vegas surely had a number of people, whether it be old singers or comedians from Vince's era. Jerry Lewis lived there, Shecky Greene as I just read in his death notice. Wayne Newton lives there.

WM8 also had…survey says…Ray combs who was the host of Family Feud at the time. He was the ring announcer for the eight man tag.

Edit: Dibiase is Good beat me to it.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Jan 5, 2024 20:46:11 GMT -5 jason1980s said:

Jan 5, 2024 19:06:57 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

I have to bring this up because it’s always hilarious. The opening of Mania 11 shows all the celebrities they’ve had at Mania. Ray Charles, Ali, Lauper, Mr. T, Uecker, Run DMC….they do it Mania by Mania…Mania 9’s celebs? Jim Ross and an elephant.

I wonder if that was a Vince or company rib on Jim Ross. Natalie Cole was the only celebrity there but she was in the audience only.

I'm surprised WWF didn't go with celebrities at the event and also VIII I think only had Reba. Las Vegas surely had a number of people, whether it be old singers or comedians from Vince's era. Jerry Lewis lived there, Shecky Greene as I just read in his death notice. Wayne Newton lives there.

It’s a shame Tito’s sister never made more appearances.

[Ben Wyatt]

Jan 5, 2024 19:00:58 GMT -5 J. Hova said:

The Ultimate Warrior's WWF Title run. They christened him as the next big thing, the man to take the WWF into the 90s, and by about every metric, business dropped and badly. I get that the reason it went so far down was because it was so high to begin with, but it was hugely disappointing. Some 16 months after his big win, he's out on his ass, comes back for a few months, and is gone again for four years.

To be fair, with Hogan getting 'Quake, there wasn't a credible heel for Warrior outside of Rude, whom he already got his win back from.

[fg]

Does Million Dollar Mania count?

Like I may have said, in another thread, but I think I’m surprised Vince McMahon didn’t have Ed McMahon make an appearance during Million Dollar Mania since Ed was the spokesperson for Publishers Clearing Houses competitor (can’t remember the name).. Ed McMahon was still alive at the time but to be fair, I think that is when his physical health went south. They could have a bit where they imply they may be related due to them having the same last name. But, I could also see Vince having Ed McMahon introduce John Cena like Ed introduced Johnny Carson by saying: “AND NOW, HEEEEEEEERRRREEES JOHNNY!” Thinking that the crowd would get the reference not knowing that Johnny Carson’s run ended a whopping 17 years prior.

[Rumble McSkirmish]

Jan 5, 2024 21:01:49 GMT -5 fg said:

Does Million Dollar Mania count?

Like I may have said, in another thread, but I think I’m surprised Vince McMahon didn’t have Ed McMahon make an appearance during Million Dollar Mania since Ed was the spokesperson for Publishers Clearing Houses competitor (can’t remember the name).. Ed McMahon was still alive at the time but to be fair, I think that is when his physical health went south. They could have a bit where they imply they may be related due to them having the same last name. But, I could also see Vince having Ed McMahon introduce John Cena like Ed introduced Johnny Carson by saying: “AND NOW, HEEEEEEEERRRREEES JOHNNY!” Thinking that the crowd would get the reference not knowing that Johnny Carson’s run ended a whopping 17 years prior.

Personally I consider any promotion that involved Vince McMahon getting Rick Rolled and ended with: "Paul, I can't feel mah legs!" to be a great success.

[chrom]

Jan 5, 2024 20:55:51 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

Jan 5, 2024 20:46:11 GMT -5 jason1980s said:

I wonder if that was a Vince or company rib on Jim Ross. Natalie Cole was the only celebrity there but she was in the audience only.

I'm surprised WWF didn't go with celebrities at the event and also VIII I think only had Reba. Las Vegas surely had a number of people, whether it be old singers or comedians from Vince's era. Jerry Lewis lived there, Shecky Greene as I just read in his death notice. Wayne Newton lives there.

It’s a shame Tito’s sister never made more appearances.

Will you stop?!

[jason1980s]

I forgot about Ray Combs. Sadly, that 8 man tag was an afterthought at the event. Both teams got a jobber entrance on the PPV with no theme music. I have always wondered whose themes both teams came out to. I'm guessing Hacksaw's and Nasty Boys.

[J. Hova]

Jan 5, 2024 21:01:42 GMT -5 Ben Wyatt said:

Jan 5, 2024 19:00:58 GMT -5 J. Hova said:

The Ultimate Warrior's WWF Title run. They christened him as the next big thing, the man to take the WWF into the 90s, and by about every metric, business dropped and badly. I get that the reason it went so far down was because it was so high to begin with, but it was hugely disappointing. Some 16 months after his big win, he's out on his ass, comes back for a few months, and is gone again for four years.

To be fair, with Hogan getting 'Quake, there wasn't a credible heel for Warrior outside of Rude, whom he already got his win back from.

Sure there was.  Ted DiBiase, Randy Savage, Rick Rude, Mr. Perfect, Big Boss Man, hell turn Jake heel a year earlier and get some mileage there.

[yokohamacpfc]

Mistico in WWE must be one. He wouldn't have been cheap and was hired to bring in Mexican-American and Mexican viewers as well as move merch to the kids. I doubt they made their money back on the Sin Cara masks they bulk-ordered from the factory in Phnom Penh. Also, the product was a bit stagnant at the time so fans of Lucha weren't going to change the channel for just one wrestler especially one who botched a lot and clearly didn't want to be there.

[Gunhaver]

Post invasion Scott Steiner is this in spades. I'm not sure if it's a matter of mishandling of injuries catching up to Scott, but it should have been a bigger deal than it ended up being.

I personally feel the same way about NWO in WWE, but the Rock-Hogan payoff salvages it for most people, I imagine.

[El Pollo Guerrera]

I interpret "box office bomb" in an 'amount paid vs. results' context... so I pick Master P.

Got paid $200,000 per appearance and for what?



Another one would be Pacman Jones in TNA... $25,000 per appearance?

[Mozenrath]

Nathan Jones went on to do well for himself in acting, but he was a complete travesty for WWE. They paid him seemingly a large amount of money, spent a lot on what appeared to be pricey promotional vignettes, and committed one of their highest profile stars in Undertaker to trying to get him over. All of this blew up in their face horrendously. It's like if they'd spent many times more on Brakkus, but for around the same amount of payoff.