WWE v. UFC

[Anybody Thrilla]

I was reading another thread and started thinking about this, so I'm not going to claim that this is a completely original thought...

People have been calling for a long time for somebody to stand up and provide some competition for the WWE. The obvious solution would be another wrestling promotion, but do you think that maybe the Ultimate Fighting Championship could be the competition that the WWE needs to get their shit straight?

I don't have any rating numbers or anything because I don't really care that much, but what are the chances of UFC becoming big enough of a threat to the WWE that they start paying attention?

[PullMyFinger]

Never IMO. Just can't happen. It's apples and oranges. Yes, some wrestling fans like UFC, but not enough to make it like a head to head "what do you like UFC or WWE?" thing.

[Jaton]

It damn sure won't be the next WWF vs. WCW war. TNA probably won't even get that successful. I hope they do, but I don't see it happening.

[PullMyFinger]

TNA has the biggest chance out of anyone (including UFC) to create a war against WWE, at the moment. Even then, TNA will flounder b/c it's not ready at all to compete head to head.

[Kris P Lettus]

MMA is sooooo much better than pro wrestling ever will be.. As long as UFC is on national television on Monday nights many wrestling fans won't be watching WWE.. For example, my brother, some friends and myself used to watch RAW every Monday.. Haven't seen it in monthes due to football/MMA.. They are completly different things though.. It's like comparing Reno 911 to COPS..

[Kane Knight]

Never IMO. Just can't happen. It's apples and oranges. Yes, some wrestling fans like UFC, but not enough to make it like a head to head "what do you like UFC or WWE?" thing.

I disagree. People who like WWE still tend to like UFC and vice versa. If they get hot enough, and the WWE continues to churn out crap, it may well turn into competition. But not now.

[Kris P Lettus]

How is it not considered comp now??

This is the first time ever UFC is being shown nationally and they are airing it oppisite RAW.. I'm pretty sure that some fans have been watching it as opposed to RAW.. As I said, I'm one of those people..

So I'll ask again, how is it not considered competition now??

[Mr. JL]

I am a huge professional wrestling fan, and have never been a fan of UFC, Pride, MMA and etc... but I've been watching UFC on Monday Nights more often than RAW.

[Kane Knight]

How is it not considered comp now??

This is the first time ever UFC is being shown nationally and they are airing it oppisite RAW.. I'm pretty sure that some fans have been watching it as opposed to RAW.. As I said, I'm one of those people..

So I'll ask again, how is it not considered competition now??

It's not significant competition. No more than anything else on TV right now.

I know you're not retarded. Clearly you must have gleaned the context.

[Kris P Lettus]

I just see it as comp because it's aiming for the same audience.. Kinda the same way WWE ratings are lower during football season..

:dunno:

[PureHatred]

I believe UFC is drawing in the 1.7 range.

Which is fairly terrible since Spike is paying them roughly what they paid the WWE and are getting half the ratings and the exact same type of sponsors.

I think if UFC spent more time marketing the sports/athletics aspects of the fights, sold the athletes more so viwers would get to know them, show more live bouts, and occasionally show some big name fights ( I know PPV is their thing but one big fight every once in a while on fre TV would do wonders) then they could be a viable competition for the WWE.

If anything, they should be trying to scrap away all those fans boxing is losing all the time.

Right now, the UFC shows feel a lot like two anonymous guys slugging each other in the face. Just doesn't get you hooked.

[Kane Knight]

I just see it as comp because it's aiming for the same audience.. Kinda the same way WWE ratings are lower during football season..

:dunno:

To some extent they are.

But this topic's about direct competition like WWF/WCW had.

[Kane Knight]

I believe UFC is drawing in the 1.7 range.

Which is fairly terrible since Spike is paying them roughly what they paid the WWE and are getting half the ratings and the exact same type of sponsors.

I think if UFC spent more time marketing the sports/athletics aspects of the fights, sold the athletes more so viwers would get to know them, show more live bouts, and occasionally show some big name fights ( I know PPV is their thing but one big fight every once in a while on fre TV would do wonders) then they could be a viable competition for the WWE.

If anything, they should be trying to scrap away all those fans boxing is losing all the time.

Right now, the UFC shows feel a lot like two anonymous guys slugging each other in the face. Just doesn't get you hooked.

I agree with you. One note, they're paying the UFC what they were paying the WWE, but the WWE wanted more, so...

UFC needs more live bouts, even if it's not major bouts. They do need to help us get to know the contenders more, and both of those could help their PPV sales. Plus, the occasional big fight wouldn't hurt.

Also, the 1.7 rating ain't bad since it's relatively new.

[Anybody Thrilla]

A bit off topic, but I think that the biggest factor for me in favoring the WWE over UFC is the fact that in the WWE, you know that a match will have somewhat of a climax. In the UFC, it could go all three rounds or it could be a very quick knockout. Not nearly as exciting.

But I guess there lies the difference between 'sports' and 'sports entertainment'.

[Kris P Lettus]

The simple fact that dudes get KO'ed in UFC makes it better, anticlimatic or not..

[Kane Knight]

A bit off topic, but I think that the biggest factor for me in favoring the WWE over UFC is the fact that in the WWE, you know that a match will have somewhat of a climax. In the UFC, it could go all three rounds or it could be a very quick knockout. Not nearly as exciting.

But I guess there lies the difference between 'sports' and 'sports entertainment'.

WWE finishes are often more anticlimactic than the real-world counterparts.