Does the "Supercard" concept still work in today's landscape?

**Xero** · 02-23-2012, 03:38 PM

This is something I've been thinking about for a while. As it is, WWE has their supercard in WrestleMania, and to a lesser extent SummerSlam. Back when TV was all squashes and interviews and PPVs were *THE* shows to watch, this was a fine concept. However, today, especially with how they constantly have first-run matches on television, I feel that the concept of the supercard cripples the rest of the years' PPVs.

At WrestleMania, we have John Cena vs. The Rock, Triple H vs. The Undertaker and Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk. Those three matches are easily PPV main events in their own right, but they're being thrown onto one single show. Instead of bumping the buyrates for three different PPVs, they focus on this single PPV.

Don't get me wrong, I understand how the supercard is a good concept in the short term, but long-term, they're throwing three huge matches onto one show. Granted, this show will make up to four times the buys of any other PPV, but it still begs the question of whether focusing on one or two big shows a year is smart business for the OTHER PPVs.

Discuss.

02-23-2012, 03:38 PM	#1
Xero He's Here Posts: 60,735	Does the "Supercard" concept still work in today's landscape? This is something I've been thinking about for a while. As it is, WWE has their supercard in WrestleMania, and to a lesser extent SummerSlam. Back when TV was all squashes and interviews and PPVs were THE shows to watch, this was a fine concept. However, today, especially with how they constantly have first-run matches on television, I feel that the concept of the supercard cripples the rest of the years' PPVs. At WrestleMania, we have John Cena vs. The Rock, Triple H vs. The Undertaker and Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk. Those three matches are easily PPV main events in their own right, but they're being thrown onto one single show. Instead of bumping the buyrates for three different PPVs, they focus on this single PPV. Don't get me wrong, I understand how the supercard is a good concept in the short term, but long-term, they're throwing three huge matches onto one show. Granted, this show will make up to four times the buys of any other PPV, but it still begs the question of whether focusing on one or two big shows a year is smart business for the OTHER PPVs. Discuss.