The Post-Wrestlemania Raw Crowd Appreciation Thread

[Bad News Gertner]

Originally Posted by James Steele Hogan wrestled across 3 generations to Austin's 1, so many more people know of Hulk Hogan. Hogan has done a better job of marketing himself after his career. But, it is a fact, based on what Vince McMahon has said, that Austin shattered every box office and merch record Hogan set in the 80s. Austin made people buy 12 ppvs a year instead of just watching a cartoon. I promise WWE made more money going from 4 ppvs to 12 ppvs under Austin than that cartoon ever made. Austin led the WWE from the abyss and let them start doing stadium shows again, and he sold out the AstroDome. Austin also led WWE to create SmackDown!, HeAT, and increase the demand for syndication. I'd argue that crowd reaction has nothing to do with tangible monetary drawing power. Remember, you are the one who says CM Punk almost killed the WWE despite getting damn near riot level reactions when he faced Cena. Touche.

Hogan also turned heel which set off the Monday Night Wars and became the best heel of the 90's, while Austin's heel turn fell flat because it didn't have the same shock value.
During the vast majority of Hogans times ppv was just starting out, so using the ppv's angle isn't really fair, although ppv wouldn't be popular if it weren't for Hogan