Commentary

Should WWE Wrestle Other Sports To The Ground?

Put me in a half-nelson and body-slam me to a media plan! TV wrestling still lives.

Wrestling's ratings may be down from the really big ratings of years ago, but it continues to be a good piece of the puzzle for some networks. "WWE Raw" on USA Network still gives the network 5 million to 6 million regular viewers, placing it easily within the top five of all cable shows.  The new CW even renewed a spot for "WWE Smackdown," due to its unmatched performance in getting young men on Friday nights.

Now, here's another reason the company isn't counted out yet: "Wrestlemania 23,"  the company's big mothership annual live event, booked a record $4.35 million in advance sales. The big throw-down will be at Ford Field in Detroit on April 1. Some 50,000 tickets have been sold, with an ultimate goal of 78,000. The company says sales so far have topped the previous 2002 record--though the company does admits those numbers are a little skewed. Ticket prices are indeed higher than in previous years.

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The longevity of WWE--and all its bumpy history--has some wondering where the company goes from here.  WWE has created, through the years, a number of top-branded, live-action animated characters. One can only wonder whether derivatives of other sports could be made with character-driven scripts.

For instance, why not start up a new basketball league with miked-up athletes in wild makeup and costumes?  Hear their taunts. Gaze at flying dunks in guys in wings.  WWE already half-heartedly tried some of this with the XFL for football. But viewers pretty much got straight football. What would WWE do with baseball, we wonder?  Think of a cross between the movies "Bull Durham" and "Major League."

Sports viewers want the next step: They like their athletes big, bold, and heavily trash-talking.  Visual action is 95% of the reason they watch.  They would pay big-time to hear somewhat real (or scripted) audio.

CNBC's intense stock market maven, Jim Cramer, recommends that viewers pin down some WWE stock based on the company's international business prospects.

Head-butting, foul-talking soccer, anyone?

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