Mania in Europe?

[Hacksaw Highway]

So I was thinking about cities that might make good hosts for WrestleMania, when I realised only 2 have ever been held outside of the states (VI and X8, both in Toronto Canada to be exact). I was wondering, does anyone think that Mania would ever go to a country overseas, like Britain? Even some where like Mexico could be a possibility. What do you guys think? Good idea or bad idea, and plausible or not?

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

The problem with this is Time Zones. Considering most of the PPV buys would be coming from the US, you might have scheduling conflicts in terms of what time you air the pay per view. I have no doubt a Mania at Wembley Stadium would sell out, but they should probably test the waters with an event like Summerslam again before they decide to go with Mania.

I don't know if it would be an issue also, but with the internet around these days and it not being 1992, there may also be the chance for spoilers to get out. It's still a very cool possibility, and I'm sure it would work if some thought went into it.

 

[Loveless]

The problem with this is Time Zones. Considering most of the PPV buys would be coming from the US, you might have scheduling conflicts in terms of what time you air the pay per view. I have no doubt a Mania at Wembley Stadium would sell out, but they should probably test the waters with an event like Summerslam again before they decide to go with Mania.

I don't know if it would be an issue also, but with the internet around these days and it not being 1992, there may also be the chance for spoilers to get out. It's still a very cool possibility, and I'm sure it would work if some thought went into it.

Obviously taping the event is an absolutely non-starter so you've got 2 choices. Run it on UK time and have Wrestlemania air during the day in the US or run it on US time. Really consider this for a moment and think about UK wrestling fans, who month after month after month will sit up 'til 4am in the morning watching PPV's and RAW. You don't think they'd come to Wembley at 1am? Because I'm quite certain that every wrestling fan in Europe would see it as a incredible rarity not to be missed.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

Obviously taping the event is an absolutely non-starter so you've got 2 choices. Run it on UK time and have Wrestlemania air during the day in the US or run it on US time. Really consider this for a moment and think about UK wrestling fans, who month after month after month will sit up 'til 4am in the morning watching PPV's and RAW. You don't think they'd come to Wembley at 1am? Because I'm quite certain that every wrestling fan in Europe would see it as a incredible rarity not to be missed.

Running it on US time just seems so strange to me. I realize that you would have a lot more buys if this happened, but considering the live audience, would you really want that? Firstly, you would have kids coming, which would be a huge hit. No families because it's at 1 am. In fact, I would say you'd only get the die hard and the very drunk.

It's one thing to get up at 4am to watch a PPV in the comfort of your own home or taping it for later. It's another to travel to a stadium which could be in another city or country and hang out with drunk wrestling fans at 1 o clock in the morning.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Every now and then this topic comes up and it makes me roll my eyes. It was easier to run a PPV overseas before the age of the Internet. Spoilers were not easily accessible. Running PPVs on tape delay were really no problem.

Today on the other hand, with spoilers so easy to get, chances are we'll never see a major PPV overseas ever again. People would look at the spoilers and decide not to order the PPV. The UFC has tried to run shows overseas, with them airing the PPV live in the afternoon, and then again at night. They've had minimal success with that, because people find out the results beforehand, and at 3 in the afternoon, people have things to do, and don't really have the ability to sit down and take out a huge chunk of their day watching a PPV.

Mexico and Canada are easy to do, as are PPVs in Puerto Rico and South America, because they're in the area where it's feasible to start a live show at 8:00.

Sorry to the fans in Europe, but the WWE running any type of PPV overseas (even something like Bragging Rights) is unlikely to ever happen again, just because there's so many factors where the WWE will not get the maximum profit that is possible. Furthermore, the WWE sometimes has difficulty selling out events here. What if they didn't sell out over there? That's always a possibility.

 

[shooter_mcgavin]

I never got the logic behind the timezone argument. Let's put it practically even if WM, shown in Europe, is broadcasted in delay in the North America but you ordered Wrestlemania on PPV lat $50 to $60. Would you go to wrestling sites to get the results. I mean looking at it personally I would have wasted $50 to $60 right there.

While not outside North America I would like WM to be held in Vancouver though. I think its another major city that deserves to host WM.

 

[Loveless]

Running it on US time just seems so strange to me. I realize that you would have a lot more buys if this happened, but considering the live audience, would you really want that? Firstly, you would have kids coming, which would be a huge hit. No families because it's at 1 am. In fact, I would say you'd only get the die hard and the very drunk.

It's one thing to get up at 4am to watch a PPV in the comfort of your own home or taping it for later. It's another to travel to a stadium which could be in another city or country and hang out with drunk wrestling fans at 1 o clock in the morning.

No kids? Well that's me sold right away. I really think you're underestimating the demand for wrestling tickets over here. There is a massive demand for the house shows that get run over here, let alone an incredibly rare PPV. I've no doubt that some people would travel from all over Europe. I don't buy the drunk argument either, I doubt they'd be let in and who is going to risk paying money and missing this event just to get drunk? I think if you really want to make it a little more accessible then you can move the start time back a few hours.

 

[ascott1984]

I'm an English wrestling fan and the idea of having mania over here is brillient but like you guys have already said about the time zone thing it wouldn't work. Running the ppv on american time wouldn't work because, i for one, wouldn't what to sit in a stadium at 1-4am. Its pretty cold over here in march/april. I think its more conievable that we would see a ppv in another country in the America's weather that be North, South, Central or the Carribean.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

No kids? Well that's me sold right away. I really think you're underestimating the demand for wrestling tickets over here. There is a massive demand for the house shows that get run over here, let alone an incredibly rare PPV.

House shows aren't televised live in the US.

I've no doubt that some people would travel from all over Europe. I don't buy the drunk argument either, I doubt they'd be let in and who is going to risk paying money and missing this event just to get drunk? I think if you really want to make it a little more accessible then you can move the start time back a few hours.

Well then we're back to the first problem. If you're moving the start time back a few hours, that also mean the live telecast is moved back a few hours in the US. That means some people will still be out and about. But I still don't see the big deal with it as I said in my original post. It's a sunday. What are people doing at 4pm? I don't think it's that much of a problem. Its either that or tape it earlier.

Shooter McGavin had a good point earlier in that, if you've already paid for Mania a week before, you're not going to be tempted to look up the spoilers. The problem is, if they come onto a bored like this, it'd be plastered all over the place. They'd have to isolate themselves until the PPV. But it is a strong incentive to not look at spoilers. Perhaps WWE could work out an early bird special for US viewers to give incentive to not look at spoilers, otherwise you wasted 50$.

 

[Trill Co$by]

I'm sorry but for WWE to have WrestleMania anywhere overseas would be like New Japan having January 4th Tokio Dome event at the Madison Square Garden.

WWE, even though they go to other countries, is pretty much an American/Canadian territory. WWE doesn't even go to Mexico that much. I mean, yeah, I like the idea of WM being a global thing, but let's just be realistic and think with Vince's brain for a second.

Not to mention, all that converting of the bills and everything would be a hassle for WWE considering Mania draws huge crowds every year. So that's another issue you have to account for.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

I'm sorry but for WWE to have WrestleMania anywhere overseas would be like New Japan having January 4th Tokio Dome event at the Madison Square Garden.

Why is that so crazy? It's the WWE Universe. Technically, you could have Taboo Tuesday in the Orion Nebula and it would still outsell BFG.

Seriously speaking though, there are a whole heap of UK and European fans that would give their left nut to see Wrestlemania.

Not to mention, all that converting of the bills and everything would be a hassle for WWE considering Mania draws huge crowds every year. So that's another issue you have to account for.

You know what? I'm pretty sure any bank in the world could probably take care of this electronically.

 

[y2empleh]

From a business standpoint, it makes no sense to have PPVs, especially not one the caliber of Wrestlemania overseas. They have no problem selling out wrestlemania here where it's likely cheaper to produce and if they can sell it out here, there is no reason to have it overseas. Also given that they have recently had issues having decent ticket sales for house shows there (which contradicts all of you who have said that people come to the once a year international house shows) so it would be a big risk. You would also likely need some big european stars to main event the shows and as far as I know, the only european star currently on the roster is William Regal.

 

[Morpheus101]

From a business standpoint, it makes no sense to have PPVs, especially not one the caliber of Wrestlemania overseas. They have no problem selling out wrestlemania here where it's likely cheaper to produce and if they can sell it out here, there is no reason to have it overseas. Also given that they have recently had issues having decent ticket sales for house shows there (which contradicts all of you who have said that people come to the once a year international house shows) so it would be a big risk. You would also likely need some big european stars to main event the shows and as far as I know, the only european star currently on the roster is William Regal.

What about Drew McIntyre, Sheamus?

I say it's very feasible to have Wrestlemania outside the US. Of all the European countries, the UK would probably be the country to host it, since they've already shot many episodes of Raw & Smackdown there.

The only problem: the time difference. PPV's are always live, so that'd be difficult if there were a five hour time difference. The PPV would have to take place at around 3pm in Europe so that it can be shown live in the US at 8 or 9pm Eastern time.

 

[The New Generation]

The only real concern is timezones. I believe that any ppv would be an automatic sell out in Europe. The time difference between England and New York is 6 hours. Normally PPV's start at around 8:00pm. It England started their ppv at 8:00pm, most American viewers would be watching it at 2:00pm. If the ppv started at 8:00pm in New York, then the ppv would start in England at 2:00am. Both are very unreasonable as many people are working at 2:00pm and many people are asleep at 2:00am.

If the WWE changed the starting of the PPV, they could make it so that both countries have better times, though not ideal. If the ppv started at midnight in England, the ppv on tv's New York would start at 6:00pm. I would think that since everyone stays up well past midnight on New Years, people could stay up as late as midnight for a WWE ppv, especially since it would be a huge deal. For wrestlemania, midnight wouldn't affect the people because.... well it's wrestlemania and the excitment would alone make midnight not a concern. Starting a ppv at 6:00pm wouldn't be bad, but could cause less buys. Also any timezone on the west of New York, would be getting the ppv at 5:00pm, 4:00pm and 3:00pm. i don't think the folks in Vancouver and California would like watching Wrestlemania or anyother ppv at 3:00pm.

So having a Wrestlemania in England is possible, but timezones would make it very difficult for WWE to gain the maximum profit it can achieve for a ppv.

 

[The New Generation]

The PPV would have to take place at around 3pm in Europe so that it can be shown live in the US at 8 or 9pm Eastern time.

This doen't work out because it is the exact opposite. If it took place at 3pm in Europe, then it would show live at 9AM in the US. I don't think anyone would want to watch a ppv when just waking up in the morning. A more reasonable way would be starting the PPV in Europe at midnight so that the ppv starts in US at 5 Or 6pm.

 

[CraigThe13th]

I'm sorry but for WWE to have WrestleMania anywhere overseas would be like New Japan having January 4th Tokio Dome event at the Madison Square Garden.

WWE, even though they go to other countries, is pretty much an American/Canadian territory. WWE doesn't even go to Mexico that much. I mean, yeah, I like the idea of WM being a global thing, but let's just be realistic and think with Vince's brain for a second.

Not to mention, all that converting of the bills and everything would be a hassle for WWE considering Mania draws huge crowds every year. So that's another issue you have to account for.

It's nothing like comparing it to NJPW preforming at MSG.

How many Americans actually really follow New Japan and spend their hard earned cash on New Japan ppvs,dvds,games and merchandise? I'm not an expert but not many I imagine.

British people put a lot of money into the WWE and one day I feel we may get wrestlemania here. Although I don't hold my breath waiting for it anytime soon.

Make no mistake about it, although based in the US,the UK is as much a WWE territory as anywhere!

 

[Mr_Ab_Fab]

If you had it in europe i beleive you would get a similar buy rate from the usa as normal. fans are fans and will pay for something as big as mania no matter what time its on. over here in the uk we stay up till 1 AM once a month for wrestling events and the occassional big fight. wouldnt americans do the same? plus you would get more people watching it in europe because its on at a more reasonable hour.

 

[rko102]

As much as I love the idea of Wrestlemania being held in Europe, especially a place like Wembley Stadium in England, I doubt this would ever happen. Like people have been saying, the time zone difference is definetely an issue, and knowing Vince and how much he cares about money along with the fact that Wrestlemania tickets always sell out extremely fast, especially in the States, I can't imagine why he'd even consider moving a big PPV like that to Europe. I'm not saying this could NEVER happen...I just highly doubt it could happen any time soon, if it ever does.

 

[Morpheus101]

This doen't work out because it is the exact opposite. If it took place at 3pm in Europe, then it would show live at 9AM in the US. I don't think anyone would want to watch a ppv when just waking up in the morning. A more reasonable way would be starting the PPV in Europe at midnight so that the ppv starts in US at 5 Or 6pm.

Yes, you're quite right LOL...forgot that the time difference worked the other way around! So no, it would not work, as the PPV would have to take place at 1am over there to be shown here live @ the same time!

 

[rko2010]

I can see if they potentially aired it during Sunday afternoon in the US, but why would anyone pay $50 to see a ppv that was not live? Wouldn't it make a lot more sense to buy the DVD for $20 later on? Being live makes the ppv special, once it's not live it's the same as watching a dvd. The only way a tape delay ppv would work is if it was at a discounted price.

 

[Travaje]

I'm sure people outside the U.S. would love this, but I think it's a terrible idea that will likely never happen.

 

[Mercutio]

You don't think they'd come to Wembley at 1am? Because I'm quite certain that every wrestling fan in Europe would see it as a incredible rarity not to be missed.

Not an option. Neither the local authourities or the police would allow an event like this to run at these times.

 

[Mr_Ab_Fab]

from personal experience of having to stay up till 1 AM to watch every PPV i can honestly say it adds to the excitement. it makes it feel special somehow! u americans should try it sometime you get to watch old wrestlin vids with ya mates get some beers in then wham its 1 AM and time for WRESTLEMANIA!! Actually i tell a lie, when they used to dp specific events like capital carnage that was live at 8 PM i used to watch them and it just wasnt the same!

 

[MizisAwesome]

it would be a bad idea.
maybe they could make a europe themed ppv in europe, but not mania.

not as many people would order it here, because the results would be all over the internet before it starts

 

[kingbubs]

in my opinion and imfromthe unitedstates europe has the best fans for wwe in the world ithink itwould be a fantastic idea they know real wrestling and me being a huge hbk fan i think it would be great for him cause they lovehim over there in my opinion the best wrestling fans in the world come from europe