Does a Champion alone effect ratings?

[RBH]

I have been hearing this crap on this forum for months...whether its Cena, HHH, Punk, Edge, Taker. So my question is does a champion alone determine ratings? I for one think the champion whomever they may be will to a point affect ratings but if the promoter really wants the ratings to be great, the whole product has to perform. I mean you could have a great championship match but still have a crappy undercard and midcard and tank your entire show that way. What do you guys think? Champion alone affects ratings? discuss

[klunderbunker]

To me, there have been 3 champions that have caused the ratings to do what they do: Austin, Rock, Hogan. Those three are the only ones that I can think of where the show was built entirely around the champion. Those guys were the show when they were on top. Punk for example is a part of the card now, hardly the centerpiece though, which is why I don't think he's a factor in the ratings.

[Uncle Sam]

Depends how they're booked.

[τδιγλε]

To me, there have been 3 champions that have caused the ratings to do what they do: Austin, Rock, Hogan. Those three are the only ones that I can think of where the show was built entirely around the champion. Those guys were the show when they were on top. Punk for example is a part of the card now, hardly the centerpiece though, which is why I don't think he's a factor in the ratings.

I will wholeheartedly agree with this. In my opinion, big ratings come from either one of two things: either an extremely fast-paced show (that is to say, a lot of matches and short but meaningful promos) with excellent feuds/storylines (see Nitro from 1996 to mid-1998) or a wrestler whose personality is bigger than life itself (see Raw with Austin and/or The Rock from late-1997 to 2001).

[RBH]

Well Sam, say for example, the champion starts the show with a promo and is also in the main event. That said champion gets about 15 minutes for the promo and probably 15-20 minutes for the main event. Does his 30-35 minutes really effect the rest of the show?

[Lee]

well I think it does if the ratings dip at the main event, but on a whole...no

[jerichofan720]

Well, to me, no. Triple H is WWE champion, I love Triple H. But, it's that screaming banshee Vicki Guerrero that makes me not watch Smackdown most of the time.

[Y 2 Jake]

Depends. Most of us geeks are going to watch anyway. Punk as champion, or the return of Austin. We'll be there. You'd have to ask one of the normal people who doesn't spend half their life on the internet.

[Mighty NorCal]

I tend to think so, but im not so sure it makes that huge of a difference. if someones popularity is exploding, they will still be a draw, regardless. Austin was already absurdly popular before he beat HBK, and was still receiving epic pops wether he had the title or not. I think the overall quality of the programming matters the most.