Do we have enough proof that CM Punk is now a big draw for WWE?
by David Bixenspan on Jul 27, 2011 7:23 PM EDT
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While PPV buys haven't come back for Money In The Bank yet, other indicators have definitely been good signs for CM Punk and everything he's done over the last month:
- Wrestling websites, including ours, have seen big traffic and participation spikes. Specific to this site, our record traffic day was the day after Money In The Bank and July 2011 has been our record month. While normally that may be just be indicative of super hardcores being interested in an angle you'd expect them to love, a lot of the new traffic here at least has come from search engine referrals. A substantial amount of people have been searching for Punk's "Best In The World" shirt. Speaking of which...
- His merchandise sales, arguably the best gauge until we have PPV buys, were already strong. Since his promo in Las Vegas, they have exploded. His shirts have sold out at arenas while they quickly sold out of most sizes at WWEShop.com. In the few days, all adult sizes completely sold out online. The "Best In The World" shirt sold out at the Allstate Arena within minutes of the Money In The Bank show starting. Demand for the shirt was so strong that people were paying as much as $585 plus shipping for the shirt on eBay and counterfeits were quickly listed. It's now stocked on WWEShop, albeit in a modified version without "Chicago 7x17x11" on the back under "Best In The World."
- He's getting mainstream attention, like his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
- While TV ratings for full shows have been stagnant, those don't always reflect business. WWE was making major progress in 1997 and early 1998 while WCW was hammering them in the ratings war, plus promotions in the '80s like World Class and the UWF were doing in huge markets they couldn't draw flies in live. Plus, the overall Raw ratings were pulled down by the segments that weren't Punk's. On the Money In The Bank go-home show, his two segments were the only ones to gain viewers, and those segments did so in large volume.
- Punk himself noted on Bill Simmons' podcast that the recent promotion of him has led to him being recognized in public about ten times as often as he normally is.
- Living Colour's "Cult of Personality," Punk's new entrance music (WWE paying for it is a clear sign they see value in him, for what it's worth), has been skyrocketing up the iTunes top songs list since Monday night. As of right now, it's #97 in the US, #55 in the UK. Its placement on the rock charts is even more impressive: #1 in the UK, #3 in the US, and #5 in Ireland. The 2010 re-recorded version is #24 in Amazon MP3's Rock Songs chart, and has been in the top 100 Rock Songs for two days. In the Amazon "Movers & Shakers" chart for biggest gains in the last 24 hours (which means I should've looked yesterday for the really interesting figures), the 2010 version is #63 (sales up 17% from yesterday) and the 1988 original is #65 (sales up 16% from yesterday). I don't know if any of the WWE-produced songs have been charting since they've been pushing the iTunes downloads with graphics on TV, but I doubt it, since WWE would most likely brag about it incessantly on commentary and in "Did You Know?" bumpers. WWE entrance music albums have also not done well in recent years.
Honestly, though, I'd be shocked if PPV buys for Money In The Bank weren't up noticeably from last year and recent "B-level" shows. Interest was huge and the angle was hot with adult viewers, who have disposable income, as opposed to children, who don't. Even if Money In The Bank didn't get a boost over last year's show and recent "B-level shows," which I doubt, all signs point towards Punk being on fire.
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Speaking of that spike in participation…it’s so nice to see new faces commenting. Some new, some old, either way, they’re here talking, which I think is great.
Twitter me @kkelchner621
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Please let this kill the PG era
While has one foot out the door he still has some power, being the CEO and all, maybe this will bring back a slightly more edgier product
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
CM PUNK IS MY HERO
Canal Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
They seem to have relaxed at least a little.
“Ass” is being used frequently, and was even used by Michael Cole this week. My biggest issue with the PG era has really been the blood. I don’t mind them banning blading, but it it happens it happens. Cutting away and cleaning it up is foolish and I was really happy with Batista when he wouldn’t let them do it.
by The so-called Beautiful on Jul 27, 2011 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Wasn't aware of this. That's silly. If anything. My kids think it's AWESOME
when they bleed. Lol just like I did when I was little. SMH
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
@xFenixKnightx on the Twitter
by xFenixKnightx on Jul 27, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I went to TLC in San Antonio...
Back in 2009? And they stopped the match between Christian and Shelton Benjamin because one of them got busted open a little bit.
It was ridiculous. IT’S A FUGGIN’ LADDER MATCH!!!
by Sergio Hernandez on Jul 28, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Nothing wrong with keeping it PG for the most part
As much as I’d love to see a bra n panties match with Kelly Kelly and Maryse, it helps them reach a broader audience, keeps USA happy, and doesn’t necessarily mean that the show quality is worse. Look at what Punk has done now. Everything has been PG and no one has any problem with it because its just good.
"In fact, most of these free-swinging Padres couldn’t hit Dock’s funky palm ball. I threw it often. But by then, also, the first acid distractions entered: the TV flickered; the cracks in the wall started to move; the hand soap started to breathe — those sorts of things. Plus I was drawn to the outdoor garden between innings. Rain was near, I sensed." - A.J. Daulerio
Agreed
What made the attitude era great was the storylines, booking, talents, and characters, not the crazier stuff. Austin, The Rock, Triple H, Angle, and the rest would work just as well today, even if they’d have to cut out the middle fingers and Austin couldn’t kidnap and allude to torturing McMahon.
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by pantslessyoda1 on Jul 28, 2011 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Kidnap and torture is still allowed in the PG era
see Edge/Kane/Paul Bearer
"In fact, most of these free-swinging Padres couldn’t hit Dock’s funky palm ball. I threw it often. But by then, also, the first acid distractions entered: the TV flickered; the cracks in the wall started to move; the hand soap started to breathe — those sorts of things. Plus I was drawn to the outdoor garden between innings. Rain was near, I sensed." - A.J. Daulerio
They had Bra and Panties matches when Trish, Lita, Molly Holly and other female wrestlers where there
and they actually could wrestle
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
CM PUNK IS MY HERO
Canal Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on Jul 28, 2011 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Dave Meltzer in the Observer:
Preliminary indications have Money in the Bank doing in the range of double what Capitol Punishment did in the United States although it won’t be until the end of August when WWE releases a number.
Dave Meltzer on the board:
Capitol Punishment first estimate
173,000 worldwide
83,000 domestic
Double would be 166,000 domestic, which would be the biggest B show PPV number since the 2009 Night Of Champions show headlined by Cena vs. Hunter vs. Orton in a WrestleMania rematch and Jeff Hardy vs Punk, which also did 166,000 domestic.
Damn, that’s…more than I expected. I was trying to not get my hopes up (and will continue to do so since these are preliminary numbers) but if that is the case, then this looks good for Punk, as there is no shortage of people saying he can’t draw. I’ll be curious to see what Summer Slam looks like.
Twitter me @kkelchner621
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by Kaleb Kelchner on Jul 27, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Punk in a big PPV match = money
"In fact, most of these free-swinging Padres couldn’t hit Dock’s funky palm ball. I threw it often. But by then, also, the first acid distractions entered: the TV flickered; the cracks in the wall started to move; the hand soap started to breathe — those sorts of things. Plus I was drawn to the outdoor garden between innings. Rain was near, I sensed." - A.J. Daulerio
I think we’re actually a bit away before we can claim that Punk is a big draw but they are on the right step, but the thing is they have to go all in they can’t pull back now when he’s getting red hot.
The fact is over the past couple of weeks since Punk’s infamous promo i’ve gotten calls from friends who used to watch WWE and they wanted to know what was going on with Punk. They’re not watching yet but they are interested and I know they aren’t the only one’s there’s a big section of people who love wrestling but have been driven off by the current regime. Punk could be the guy that brings some of them back, but like i’ve said repeatedly the WWE has to take advantage of the situation and push him hard if not then this will only be a blip on people’s radars.
Garning attention
i think what this article is about it right i never really went on pro wrestling sites until the whole cm punk promo on raw to find out if it was real or not. I think the best wwe story lines are when there is an “invasion” i personally think the best matches in wwe were when wcw were fighting with wwe. Also to a lesser extent when the new “ecw” came out. (it was cool for about a year then became unbeleivably lame) TNA sorry “impact” used to have good story lines then hulk hogan ruined it and threw out the 6 sided ring (thanks for ruining the company) but i really think cm punk became the most popular superstar in the world in one nigh with his promo ability, and even though his return was a bit rushed in my opinion im going to be following raw closer than i have in the following weeks because its so expected whats gonna happen next. as opposed to constant same people fighting for titles (cena v orton for 9 months)
by gothgd9 on Jul 28, 2011 1:15 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
This song was on Guitar Hero 3 too
"In fact, most of these free-swinging Padres couldn’t hit Dock’s funky palm ball. I threw it often. But by then, also, the first acid distractions entered: the TV flickered; the cracks in the wall started to move; the hand soap started to breathe — those sorts of things. Plus I was drawn to the outdoor garden between innings. Rain was near, I sensed." - A.J. Daulerio
GTA: San Andreas too I believe
Coach Raye crazy man. Says Yahoo in our training camp,We Didn’t know we had Wifi,cOach Sing says he likes UpGut.com. Bish! - Anthony Dixon
Hit the nail on the head
About adults vs kids
Ultimately it is about which target demographic has the disposable income to order merchandise, PPVs, etc
If Punk can continue to pull in the jaded fans who left after Austin/Rock hung it up (of which I’m one), the WWE will be flowing in cash.
by Jonathan Loesche on Jul 28, 2011 4:33 AM EDT reply actions
too PG
i think what really messed up wwe was goin to pg i cant remember a time when i was more obseessed with wwe when brock lesnar hit brian kendrick several times with a steal chair then F-5’d him into the ring post that was good tv
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z1yVWnnIoM
even better when he did it to the one legged kid
This is the kind of stuff they don’t ever need to do again. This is too dangerous and causes so much pain for the individuals being beat on that they take pain killers. This should not be the standard for an entertaining in ring wrestling show anymore.
Freedom is a road seldom traveled by the multitudes...
by Major on Jul 28, 2011 11:29 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 3 recs
Short termist people who panicked about the ratings and used it as PROOF Punk cant draw look very foolish now.
I wonder if Highspots and ROH had an uptake in sales.
by rovert on Jul 28, 2011 6:52 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I'm still not interested in watching any of this live
But I’ve watched whatever ends up on youtube centering around Punk. For me I’m not watching WWE again, I’m watching the CM Punk show. That might become problematic fot WWE in not knowing the monster that’s been created.
Bloody Elbow Grappling Editor.
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I'd be fine with...
A hard PG atmosphere.
Kids don’t buy tickets to a WWE event, they don’t plunk down money for John Cena t-shirts. Their parents do.
And most parents want to — despite taking them to a show where men “beat each other up” — want to retain some semblence of responsbility.
The 80s boom was totally PG and it — more the most part — was awesome. So don’t act like it’s that and not the overall product that has been dragging the company down for the past few years.
Hard PG = occasional blood during matches that warrant it (cage, ladder, NHB, etc.) and occasional use of the word “ass” and almost ALWAYS by the heels (I mean, what better way for a parent to help a kid understand that those words aren’t supposed to be said than pointing out that a wrestler they hate is saying them).
by Sergio Hernandez on Jul 28, 2011 11:49 AM EDT reply actions
That's kinda what I was getting at.
For all the great stuff we got in the Attitude Era, there was a whole bunch of crap that went with it. I just believe that the last few years have gone too far the other way. I remember when my friends and I would laugh at WCW when someone would have to say “I’m going to kick your butt.” It just doesn’t work and looks ridiculous. Even the really, really over the top stuff aside (Mae Young’s hand, Katie Vick), I don’t think we need Stone Cold levels of ass and middle fingers. What has been going on the last few weeks is a pretty good middle ground.
by The so-called Beautiful on Jul 28, 2011 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s not the pg issue that has been dragging the WWE down it’s the piss poor writing and crappy storylines. You can tell a good story without having to contain “adult only content”. Punk is telling a good story here, its light years ahead of the tired rehashed crap they have been pushing for the last couple of years and that is going to get attention.
by who me on Jul 28, 2011 7:31 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
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