I guess Mayweather is a draw...

[Kane Knight]

...As was suggested last week; ratings were up, makes sense, right?

Well, I guess. 'Cept next week's ratings come down the pipe, and not only are the ratings down, they're down below what they were two weeks ago.

[Kane Knight]

3 and 2.9 for the record. I'm a bit distracted.

[SammyG]

I GET MONEY, I GET MONEY

I GET IT

[Kane Knight]

Money Money Money Money?

[Gerard]

He was annoying as shit last night on raw, in the big show segment at the start he couldn't shut his cock holster long enough to account for the delay. Then at the interview segment later he managed to answer every question he was asked by talking absoloute shite about how he's "money mayweather".

:wtf:

I think tyson was more coherent than this little twat.

[ttetf]

I would take another dose of Mike Tyson as a crotch chopping member of DX than I would of this Mayweather crap any day.

[Gerard]

I would take another dose of Mike Tyson as a crotch chopping member of DX than I would of this Mayweather crap any day.

COLD STONE WOOOOWOOOO :lol:

[Mr. Nerfect]

So Mayweather didn't draw?

LOL @ WWE.

[Xero]

COLD STONE WOOOOWOOOO :lol:

He'd probably call Big Show "Big Paul".

[Kane Knight]

So Mayweather didn't draw?

LOL @ WWE.

Well, it's possible people tuned in for his debut, actually heard him talk, and tuned back out. :lol: More likely, it's the spike from a PPV that brought the ratings back up "FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY." I mean, Mayweather would, in theory draw, but he should manage to sustain at least the number of people who tuned in the previous week.

[Zen v.W.o.]

Maywether sucks and cant be taken seriously as a legit threat with that size of his, and Show sucks too, which makes for a sucky segment and feud.

[Londoner]

This match needs to be no holds barred in order to gain my interest back in it. Im considering not ordering wm now after this weeks raw.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Well, it's possible people tuned in for his debut, actually heard him talk, and tuned back out. :lol: More likely, it's the spike from a PPV that brought the ratings back up "FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY." I mean, Mayweather would, in theory draw, but he should manage to sustain at least the number of people who tuned in the previous week.

Well, that's exactly it. Does anyone really want to see a boxer fight a wrestler? Mayweather was the biggest draw on PPV last year, apparently, but that is in a completely different environment. That's where people see things as legit, and measure you in terms of your ability; not in terms of how entertaining you are.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Or how solid the program around you is, for that matter.

[Xero]

I was honestly really pumped for it. The original angle worked so well.

Then Mayweather talked and I lost all hope. I wasn't expecting a good 'match', but I expected the build to be at least decent.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don't mind Mayweather talking, actually. I mean, he's what I expected. He's pretty horrible, but I like the way he put King in his place, and said that it would be Money Mayweather Entertainment from now on.

The guy is a natural heel. The sooner they get 50 Cent to talk for him, though, the better off everyone will be.

[Savio]

damn raw doing a 2.9 is up? wow.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think what has also hurt interest for the feud, is that it has all been about how Big Show is big, and Mayweather is small. Simple is good, but that is too fucking simple. They haven't taken the time to explain why Mayweather is a good boxer, and what Big Show has done to meet him there. They're making it all about size, and it's just hard to get into it in a promotion where Rey Mysterio has beaten 300+ pounders.

Also, what happened to the personal aspects of it all? When it started, it was great. Big Show was manhandling Mayweather's friend, and Floyd jumped in, got taunted, and broke Big Show's nose. Show should be looking to kill Mayweather to get some respect back. Big Show should be pissed off because he was forced to apologise by brass, and that he now wants Mayweather to know what he really thinks.

Honestly, it's like this feud has played in reverse, and you can hear it in the crowd reaction, I think. They were hottest when the feud was personal, and was more than just professional smack talk.

[Londoner]

Tbh raw was so shit it deserved a worse rating than that.

[Savio]

Show and Mayweather aren't boxing each other are they?

[Londoner]

No.

[Jeritron]

He'll draw for Mania

[Xero]

I'm assuming it'll be under MMA rules.

They haven't officially announced exactly what it'll be, have they?

[Kane Knight]

Maywether sucks and cant be taken seriously as a legit threat with that size of his, and Show sucks too, which makes for a sucky segment and feud.

Yeah, it doesn't hurt that we're supposed to believe only hosses can win. WWE has created an environment where "Pound for Pound" means fuck all.

Well, that's exactly it. Does anyone really want to see a boxer fight a wrestler? Mayweather was the biggest draw on PPV last year, apparently, but that is in a completely different environment. That's where people see things as legit, and measure you in terms of your ability; not in terms of how entertaining you are.

Right. He's on fire in the boxing world, with an incredible record. None of that means shit in a scripted company. Though there's more than enough evidence boxing is rigged, WWE has showed us how it's done. The thing is, they assumed his PPV buys would carry over because he's a name.

I was honestly really pumped for it. The original angle worked so well.

Then Mayweather talked and I lost all hope. I wasn't expecting a good 'match', but I expected the build to be at least decent.

I'm tempted to keep watching just for the train wreck value, but this really isn't a good thing for WWE.

Tbh raw was so shit it deserved a worse rating than that.

This week's rating may be worse; it will be out next Wednesday (Tues. if they're on the job). Still, losing more than half a million in a week is pretty bad. We'll see where this goes.

[Kane Knight]

I'm assuming it'll be under MMA rules.

They haven't officially announced exactly what it'll be, have they?

I remember JR insisting it was a WRESTLING match at Mania, but it's JR, so it's probably last man standing or a rotating sumo match.

[Jeritron]

Trainwreck? Maybe it wasn't worth all of it, but it's hardly going to be a problem. You do realize how much money Wrestlemania's going to make right? That 20 million will be covered by tshirt sales that weekend. (I'm jokingly exaggerating obv)
But Wrestlemanias gonna pull down loot.

How much did Trump get paid?

[Jeritron]

I bet this years mania has a higher buyrate than last years, or the same. This of course would make it the highest grossing ppv and event of all time

[Xero]

Trump got paid I think 5mil and he and Vince both gave their earnings to charity.

[Xero]

I bet this years mania has a higher buyrate than last years, or the same. This of course would make it the highest grossing ppv and event of all time

They seriously need to hire Tony Schiavone just to announce the attendance every year at Mania.

Tony: Thank you... 850,480,452 fans here LIVE! This is the greatest crowd in the history of our sport!

[Kane Knight]

Trainwreck? Maybe it wasn't worth all of it, but it's hardly going to be a problem. You do realize how much money Wrestlemania's going to make right? That 20 million will be covered by tshirt sales that weekend. (I'm jokingly exaggerating obv)
But Wrestlemanias gonna pull down loot.

How much did Trump get paid?

I think Rob Harvey covered this pretty well, demonstrating how unlikely they are to cover that kind of money, even if the buyrates are higher.

[Jeritron]

Unlikely to cover 20 million? Are you serious?

[Londoner]

Even if they did, i doubt its going to mayweather. Im sticking by the fact that i think its aload of bs to hype mayweather.

[Xero]

Unlikely to cover 20 million? Are you serious?

They'll be lucky if they get 25mil for PPV buys. Obviously they also have the gate and everything, but even assuming they get a gross of $50mil (which is WAY more than they're going to get), you then have to deduct $20mil for Mayweather, bringing it down to 30, then you have the rest of the roster's payout. To give one performer 40% of your gross income is just ridiculous.

[Kane Knight]

Unlikely to cover 20 million? Are you serious?

You do realise I'm talking about a whole PPV, where they have to cover the cost of the Arena, the effects, the other talent, and where they have to deal with the cut the cable companies take, etc., right?

Of course they'll cover 20 million. Will they cover 20 million with all their other expenses?

Likely.

Will they cover it with a worthwhile profit?

[Jeritron]

I understand those other costs too, obviously. Answer to your last question, yes. We'll just have to wait and see.
It's hardly going to be a trainwreck.

Did you see the figures from last years Wrestlemania including the end profit?

[Jeritron]

I think it was around 30 after the charity shit

[Jeritron]

I still think 20 is ridiculous, but it's going to be another large success this year for WWE. I don't doubt for a second he'll be the biggest draw on the card other than the Wrestlemania and WWE name. They can use the celbrity involvement on that level.

I do feel though that they could have gotten an equal or greater than celbrity for a cheaper price to lend that help to the show.

Still gonna be a big success though, just could be bigger

[Theo Dious]

I guess we're going to have to rely on Maria's nudie pics to bring ratings up.

Excuse me while I nip off and weep for our souls.

[SammyG]

I just wish Floyd was better on the mic, and didn't look like he is reading off a script.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Right. He's on fire in the boxing world, with an incredible record. None of that means shit in a scripted company. Though there's more than enough evidence boxing is rigged, WWE has showed us how it's done. The thing is, they assumed his PPV buys would carry over because he's a name.

This has been my thought on it since the beginning. I don't think people give a shit about the Mayweather name. If he showed up on the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, would all the people that order his PPVs watch? Definitely not. If he "fought" Jay Leno, in a scripted bit, would it draw? Not at all.

That's why it's my belief that the WWE needs to either let Mayweather/Big Show be legit, which is not going to happen, or they should at least do their best to hype it as such. Put over Big Show's boxing training, and have him release statements about being intimidated by Mayweather, because he's making his boxing debut against an undefeated fighter, or whatever. Make it experienced little man vs. inexperience big man.

Anyone who believes wrestling to be "real," is already watching it. Mayweather appearing at WrestleMania is unlikely to make too many new wrestling fans. 50 Cent will probably do more good for the WWE, because at least people are invested in his personality and entertainment worth.

This could end up making the WWE a lot of money, but I do not think it is a sure thing at all. I'm hoping the WWE haven't agreed to give Mayweather a payday. Seeing as it is a one-off appearance, I think they'll just have Mayweather collect his $20 million and go on his way.

It's a shame the WWE couldn't do their best to make sure WrestleMania draws money in other ways, like having a fresh main event. It seems the WWE want to make money with Mayweather (which may or may not work), but at the same time look afraid of success by putting three guys, none of whom draw, in the main event.

[Kane Knight]

I understand those other costs too, obviously. Answer to your last question, yes. We'll just have to wait and see.
It's hardly going to be a trainwreck.

Did you see the figures from last years Wrestlemania including the end profit?

Yes, I did, and they did it, in part, by not paying a single performer 20 million.

[Kane Knight]

Again, Harvey broke down the numbers pretty well.