What match can make normal, non-invested fans watch WM?

[BestWrestlingOpinions]

Alright, it seems like people are turning away from wrestling more and more every year, and that is visible but the decreased viewers and ratings. No matter who you bring up in the main event scene, the numbers just stay where they are, which pretty much means that there are only certain people who watch, will watch no matter what, and no matter who you bring in, nobody else, except from them, will watch.

In all this mess, I tried to think of an epic match to take place at WM30 that could draw some of the older fans who just stopped watching because they got bored / don't like it anymore. I don't know if the match I will propose will work for that reason, but here it is:

Wrestlemania 30, Jericho vs Cena vs Punk vs Orton vs Bryan vs Lesnar, Hell in a Cell match for the Unified WWE World Championship. Just think of the names:
Jericho - The first ever original undisputed Champion, can't miss this.
Cena - The face of the WWE.
Punk - The Best overall Superstar in the World.
Orton - Amazing talent, amazing in the ring, one of the best talents ever.
Bryan - Most over Superstar at the moment, probably the best in-ring performer currently.
Lesnar - Former UFC Champion. Legit fighter.

This is an all-stars line up. I can't see how any other match can get bigger than this, and considering the success and excitement the HiaC match back in 2000 had, I can't see how this one can fail, especially if they allow more spots to be done and let it go for like one hour.

 

[JoeyJoeJoe]

I think the names are irrelevant barring the return of people like Rock, Lesnar and Austin, and that can only work so many times.

It's simply not about the names that you put into a typical WWE match...if the WWE wants to expand its viewing base, it needs to make its product something worth watching. To me, that means a few things:

1. Radically change the tone and stories being told week to week.
2. Start trying to draw more female viewers
3. Create more draws who will appeal internationally and boost ratings elsewhere, possibly even expanding the WWE into a true international promotion with a truly separate roster for overseas (Europe, Asia, etc.)

I think they don't even try on item #1 in all honesty. If they succeed on item 1, they will naturally see a boost in #2, though actually having non-model female wrestlers would help, and as for the last bullet...I think they know this....it's why they are desperate for someone like Sheamus, Sin Cara, and Alberto Del Rio to truly hit it big, so that they can use this person as lynchpin for international cards.

 

[BestWrestlingOpinions]

I think the names are irrelevant barring the return of people like Rock, Lesnar and Austin, and that can only work so many times.

It's simply not about the names that you put into a typical WWE match...if the WWE wants to expand its viewing base, it needs to make its product something worth watching. To me, that means a few things:

1. Radically change the tone and stories being told week to week.
2. Start trying to draw more female viewers
3. Create more draws who will appeal internationally and boost ratings elsewhere, possibly even expanding the WWE into a true international promotion with a truly separate roster for overseas (Europe, Asia, etc.)

I think they don't even try on item #1 in all honesty. If they succeed on item 1, they will naturally see a boost in #2, though actually having non-model female wrestlers would help, and as for the last bullet...I think they know this....it's why they are desperate for someone like Sheamus, Sin Cara, and Alberto Del Rio to truly hit it big, so that they can use this person as lynchpin for international cards.

My idea was something exciting, but neither I was expecting to hit big. As you said, they rely a lot on international Superstars to expand themselves all over the world. I just think that wrestling isn't cool anymore. All the internet info etc just make it so predictable, bad booking aside.
I don't know if there is anything that can be done to bring wrestling back to prime time, even if Austin and the Rock return full time and get rid of the PG thing. Wrestling is just not cool anymore and looked down upon by most people. This match was something really exciting though, Hell in a Cell in a 6men brawl might draw some fans.

 

[LuckyLouie]

The match that will make the most impact will be Lesnar vs Undertaker.
But I think given the chance Bryan vs Punk in a hardcore match would be insane.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

Well it certainly won't be a fanboy-style multiple man match.

Austin vs. Cena. Austin vs. Brock. The Rock vs. Brock. Those are the only matches I can think of.

If WWE could broadcast a consistently entertaining program, this type of shit wouldn't be necessary. But they don't.... so it is.

 

[Dan E. Inferno]

Probably any combination of Rock, Lesnar and Undertaker. Rock vs Lesnar is the biggest match they potentially have in terms of marketability and mainstream appeal. Rock vs Taker and Brock vs Taker would both get some attention too though.

Austin vs Hogan would be interesting too.

 

[Redemption-2012]

That match idea was horrible. Who the hell would want to watch that disaster of a match? get a grip Dude.

In terms of ACTUAL matches you have that would draw interest:

John Cena vs The Undertaker in 'Taker's finale match
John Cena vs Stone Cold
John Cena vs Hulk Hogan
Brock Lesnar vs Hulk Hogan
CM Punk vs Stone Cold
The Rock vs Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar vs Stone Cold
These are the ones I can think off of the top of my head. I am sure there are more.

 

[Rotterdam]

Not saying these will be the best matches but I think they will be drawing power:

Rock vs Brock vs Taker
Hogan vs Cena
Hogan vs Taker
Cm Punk vs Austin
Cm Punk vs Hogan
Jericho vs Rock vs Brock vs Punk

 

[Chococat]

I think a lot of you are really over thinking this. How do you expect to get normal non pro wrestling fan interested in a match when they don't even know who the wrestlers are?

Of course I'm assuming they've never cared for wrestling, knew very small bits about it and only knew the names of the typical Hogan, Rock, Austin.

If someone doesn't know who these people are, why would they care to watch it in the first place?

You're gonna gonna get me to watch basketball just because Lebron is playing. You need to tell me why it matters that he's playing, what's at stake, so on and so forth.

I've actually turned my brother who used to poke fun at me for loving wrestling and make fun of the overselling and the stupid storylines into a weekly watcher.

It didn't take much. People want a character or story they can relate to or to see a character they've always envisioned as themselves but never could be.

There are people would love to be Stone Cold, beat on your boss, take no bs from no one, stomp a mudhole and walk it dry

People would love to have been CM Punk, to be able to have world wide attention and to voice your feelings with no regard or repercussion

Then there's people would have loved to been HBK during the screwjob. Who would love nothing more than to screw over someone who has what you want.

There's even some shy people would just love to get up and start dancing around and have a good time like Brodus Clay

anyway, i don't believe people need a match necessarily to be invested enough to watch WM. they need a connection or to be genuinely entertained.

 

[ajdb]

I think you could get mileage out of this WrestleMania card:

The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar (Maximum outside appeal)
John Cena vs. Sheamus (Fan favorites but Sheamus goes heel for the belt)
Daniel Bryan vs. Undertaker (Can he end the streak?) (Super Over vs. Streak)
Stone Cold vs. CM Punk (Two Rule-breaking hooligans)
Triple H vs. Big Show (COO vs. World's Largest Athlete) (Been done before but that angle could work)
The Miz vs. Randy Orton (I throw this in because it sounded good)

 

[BaconBits]

It's been proven the last couple years what makes non-invested fans buy WM these days.

The Rock telling dick and fart jokes and BROCK SMASH!!!!!!!

They've kind of backed themselves into a corner with relying on special attractions to get the big buyrates they're used to. But I don't know if it's so much the company's fault for doing it or the strking lack of star power with the current roster.

Whatever the case may be, though, they've got short term solutions for long term problems. That's never good.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Alright, it seems like people are turning away from wrestling more and more every year, and that is visible but the decreased viewers and ratings. No matter who you bring up in the main event scene, the numbers just stay where they are, which pretty much means that there are only certain people who watch, will watch no matter what, and no matter who you bring in, nobody else, except from them, will watch.

It's an interesting thought; the only problem is that if, as you say, more people are turning away from wrestling every year, the numbers wouldn't be staying the same; they would be going down.

Sure, there are people who stop watching over time, but if the numbers are essentially stable, others must be tuning in, either for the first time.....or they are old fans coming back. It's a fluid market and with so much WWE product on the air, it's easy to find a show to watch, particularly if a casual (or new) fan gets a yen on Monday, Wednesday or Friday.

As to the question at hand, a lot of it was answered by the Rock at the last two Wrestlemanias. He's the kind of attraction that will get old fans (or non-wrestling fans) to tune in. Some do it because they remember him in WWE rings, but there is probably a large segment of folks who bought the last two WMs because of what they know of him as a movie star.

That brings up a point: How many would buy a PPV to see Steve Austin perform? Not just to show up, but to wrestle? In his day, his rep was immense, right? He was the type who threw out the first pitch at baseball games, and enough people in the stands knew who he was to give him a big cheer. But how would that translate to PPV buys today? Like Rock, he makes movies too, but has hardly garnered as much attention on the big screen as Rock. In fact, I sometimes wonder how much better his films would have gone over had he made them while he was still a wrestler, or shortly after he retired. Bet it wouldn't have been all that "direct to DVD" stuff he does now.

At any rate, Steve Austin at WM is what I'd love to see: hardcore wrestling fans would go nuts to finally see him perform again after all these years, and many of those fans are the ones who would buy the PPV with or without Austin. But what kind of impact on the buyrate would he actually make? How many non-wrestling fans would he attract?

 

[MCMG]

The obvious answers is brining in the legit draws. They have used two men in recent years, Lesnar and The Rock and the numbers speak for themselves. There is a different thread showing these figures and look at Extreme Rules 2012 where Lesnar makes his return over 7 years out.

The thing about both Lesnar and The Rock is there is a mass appeal to both. Not only does the casual fan want to see them but individuals who used to watch wrestling and have fond memories of them. Moreover, The Rock is a celebrity which targets a different market. Lesnar is simply an unmissable presence and look at the UFC buyrates to prove that. He comes in and has, in my opinion, helped to the UFC to the next level and all of his fights are pretty much in the top 15 or so of all time in terms of buyrates.

The problem, however, is that now we have seen Lesnar 5 times on PPV and The Rock 5 (6 including his cameo at WM27) there is less appeal to spend money to see them again. There are few matches that will truly target all the aforementioned audiences with these two. In my opinion, Brock vs The Undertaker is THE match. If you haven't watched wrestling in a while, that is the kind off match that makes you interested. Also, a lot of people are aware of Taker and will want to see him against the beast. It will ensure people, that who wouldn't otherwise, buy the PPV.

For The Rock, using him as effectively as possible is more difficult. The Undertaker is an option but thereafter there are not many names. I want to see a match vs Triple H but I'm not sure that has a massive appeal. There are rumours of Cena and Hogan teaming up and I honestly think adding The Rock to team could really work.

Names such as Austin and Hogan of course could help. I honestly have my doubts to what extent they can help but I'm sure they will increased buyrates. I have a really difficult time believing that Austin is a bigger draw than The Rock even after his multiple appearances.

It depends on how the WWE want to market this. Is it simply having two or three main-events that sell the PPV or have a stacked card top to bottom. You can definitely have both but I don't think the WWE are capable.

I'd say something like The Undertaker vs Brock; Austin vs CM Punk as well as Cena, Hogan and The Rock teaming together and we might see a new record for buyrates. It appeals to casual fans, part-time fans and those who may have stopped watching in recent years. It also appeals to the die-hart fans, to an extent, but even if it didn't; they (I) will be buying regardless.

 

[L@RISANO]

A match that never happened might bring some of the old wrestling fans back.
The Great One vs Mr.Wrestlemania perhaps. I remember in his Hall Of Fame Induction Speech of his Dad and Grandad, The Rock said he would love to have a match with HBK.

Would people look forward to that?It has never been done before, just hope that both guys can give a good enough match even if they have obviously past their prime.

 

[L@RISANO]

I think if Wrestlemania is indeed Undertaker's swansong,then it is only fitting to have him face the Main Man in the Company which is John Cena. Notice he never faced Austin, The Rock or Hulk Hogan on the Biggest Stage. Giving him that opportunity would mean him having something beyond just preserving the streak.
Not saying he has faced low grade wrestlers by any means, but the True Face of the Company during Taker's wrestlemania run would surely help get the buyrates up as people will wonder which direction the WWE will go.
Do you break the Streak finally and make Cena the absolute greatest, or do you preserve arguably the Greatest WWE Legacy of All?

 

[JoeyJoeJoe]

In my opinion, Brock vs The Undertaker is THE match. If you haven't watched wrestling in a while, that is the kind off match that makes you interested. Also, a lot of people are aware of Taker and will want to see him against the beast. It will ensure people, that who wouldn't otherwise, buy the PPV.

This is a good point. To hardcore wrestling fans, this is probably a decent match but one with a forgone conclusion. However, to those fans who maybe only buy WrestleMania each year, and don't pay attention to the comings and goings very much throughout the year, this match may have a lot more suspense and interest for them.

 

[shooter_mcgavin]

To be honest none. If you mean non-invested fan meaning someone who might catch a program on TV then I can't imagine them paying $50 or $60 to order the PPV. Let's say even if their old favoriates like Bret Hart, Hogan, or Austin shows up they will probably just opt to catch them on RAW or Smackdown! see their antics get nostalgic but won't order the actual PPV.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

If you want people to tune in here is what you do:

John Cena needs to start sleeping with Kim Kardashian behind Kanye's back. Kanye in an act of aggression toward Cena needs to have his new faction of Lesnar, Nikki Bella, Floyd Mayweather, and Richie Incognito attack Cena during a dual taping of Total Divas and Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

At this point Cena turns to the only direction possible by calling his buddies Manny Pacquioa (sp?) and that guy who plays Thor to have his back. They have a six man that ends when Thor's twin comes out and blind sides his brother leading to him getting pinned by Lesnar.

Well of course the Duck Dynasty guys will have none of that. They show up the next week on Raw with Miley Cyrus and cut a scathing promo on Thor's brother. Problem is while they are doing this from behind Miley rips off Kim Kardashian's clothes and beats her down. The Duck Dynasty guys don't know how to react and out of no where they are pummelled by the Wyatts.

So the WM card is set:

Undercard:
Lesnar w/Kanye v Cena
Kardashian v Cyrus
Duck Dynasty v The Wyatts

Main Events
Thor's brother and Richie Incognito v Thor and The Rock
Manny Pacquiao v Floyd Mayweather

Pre-show
Dolph Ziggler v Damien Sandow v The UT v Lebron James v the cast of The Big Bang Theory

So yeah, I am planning on watching WM but if the main event is a six man match like the one the OP suggested I'll do something more productive with my life.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

Celebs athletes... that is the key but guys who can actually go.

Possible matchups would be the rematch of Show v Mayweather

Sonnen v Punk
Tim Tebow v Chris Jericho (they are buddies out of the ring so could work)
The Rock vs any other celebrity type athlete.

Alternatively you need matches you never thought you'd see with vets and legends.

Warrior and Hogan teaming would spark a lot of interest, especially if Sheamus was in the mix with them/turned on them. Taker as a Hall of Famer defending the streak would also be a good one. Shawn v Bryan would spark some interest with mainstream fans but not as much as Shawn v Rock would. A focused and in shape NWO reunion could work if it's against the Shield or Wyatts. Sting v Undertaker would of course bring in some interest, but I'd actually prefer them to team first at Mania, then face off the following year if both could go that long.

 

[BestWrestlingOpinions]

It's an interesting thought; the only problem is that if, as you say, more people are turning away from wrestling every year, the numbers wouldn't be staying the same; they would be going down.

Sure, there are people who stop watching over time, but if the numbers are essentially stable, others must be tuning in, either for the first time.....or they are old fans coming back. It's a fluid market and with so much WWE product on the air, it's easy to find a show to watch, particularly if a casual (or new) fan gets a yen on Monday, Wednesday or Friday.

As to the question at hand, a lot of it was answered by the Rock at the last two Wrestlemanias. He's the kind of attraction that will get old fans (or non-wrestling fans) to tune in. Some do it because they remember him in WWE rings, but there is probably a large segment of folks who bought the last two WMs because of what they know of him as a movie star.

That brings up a point: How many would buy a PPV to see Steve Austin perform? Not just to show up, but to wrestle? In his day, his rep was immense, right? He was the type who threw out the first pitch at baseball games, and enough people in the stands knew who he was to give him a big cheer. But how would that translate to PPV buys today? Like Rock, he makes movies too, but has hardly garnered as much attention on the big screen as Rock. In fact, I sometimes wonder how much better his films would have gone over had he made them while he was still a wrestler, or shortly after he retired. Bet it wouldn't have been all that "direct to DVD" stuff he does now.

At any rate, Steve Austin at WM is what I'd love to see: hardcore wrestling fans would go nuts to finally see him perform again after all these years, and many of those fans are the ones who would buy the PPV with or without Austin. But what kind of impact on the buyrate would he actually make? How many non-wrestling fans would he attract?

This is the problem. Nowadays, people can watch any wrestling event whenever they feel like, so the ratings and viewership at air time has dropped. Also, I wasn't referring to the last year when I said wrestling lost their viewers, but overall from the Attitude Era etc. They have lost a lot of fans.

At the issue on hand: You make a lot of sense about people tuning in to see the Rock, because they most probably do. I don't know how this make sense, why would someone watch a movie star perform in a wrestling match, and on top of that pay money to see that, but let's agree on that. If this is the only thing that will draw the non-fan, then there is no hope for the WWE and wrestling in general to acquire a big new fanbase. As you said, people outside the wrestling world do not know Punk, so they have no reason to tune in. For that matter though, we can't have a movie-star line up for Wrestlemania just to attract non-viewers, right? Of course, WWE needs to make some good stories blah blah blah, but someone above said about how to drag people to watch. He said that I will watch NBA only if Lebron plays and if the stakes are high. Same here: If a wrestling fan talks to a non-wrestling fan about a huge match, they might just tune in. So, this is why a big match is needed. And in my eyes, although the typical fighting match is 1 on 1, I believe that 6 people going at it in 1 match, a la HiaC 2000, will create a lot more excitement, especially if there are compelling promos, a lot of fighting before the match on the weeklies etc.

Sure, we can't know what's gonna happen, but the thing is that even with the Rock headlining Wrestlemanias, the buy rates didn't explode, so I doubt that movie and global stars can attract that many viewers.