The Hamilton Ave Journal 12.29.07: Volume 1 – Issue 14
Posted by JP Prag on 12.29.2007
WWE and TNA wrestlers take some time off, iMPACT invades WrestleMania, RAW and ECW lose a third of their audience, and there is almost no movement in the Top Ten.
THE HAMILTON AVE JOURNAL
By JP Prag
Volume 1 – Issue 14
ABOUT THE JOURNAL
The Hamilton Ave Journal is the only wrestling news report focused solely on the business of wrestling. Here in the Journal we not only look at the stories that are important to the investor and business-minded person, but also delve deeper into stories that most fans of wrestling would overlook. That is because the Journal is about getting the heart of the matters that affect the companies and outlooks of the wrestling world.
And where is Hamilton Ave? That is the location of the WWE Production Studio in Stamford, CT, and thus the most powerful place in the wrestling world. Besides, The East Main Street Journal just does not have the right ring to it.
Who am I? I am JP Prag: consultant, entrepreneur, businessman, journalist, and wrestling fan.
Now, ring the bell because the market is open.
WHAT'S NEWS
The Journal's front page area known as What's News isn't just about telling you what has happened. The stories in this section are about what will have an effect on the wrestling industry, individual federations, and the wallets of the fans.
LEAD STORY: Wrestlers enjoy rare time off
In a change of pace from life constantly on the road, the WWE wrestlers enjoyed some time off with a break in live events from the SmackDown/ECW tapings on December 18th to RAW and SmackDown!/ECW house shows starting on December 26th. In a contrast of work schedules, TNA wrestlers have had off from December 11th and returned to the road December 27th.
The WWE and TNA both have very heavy January schedules. Although there are more shows from the WWE for each brand, TNA has four iMPACT tapings, six live events, and one PPV. In comparison:
RAW: four television tapings, ten house shows, one shared SuperShow, and one shared PPV
SmackDown/ECW: four television tapings, nine house shows, one shared SuperShow, and one shared PPV
So even with expanded schedule, a TNA wrestler will work about 30% less dates a typical WWE wrestler.
As noted in the journal before, TNA must be careful on increasing the number of events they have. One of the key benefits that wrestlers have when going to TNA is a lighter comparative schedule and less travel. This was actually one of main motivating factors in people jumping to WCW in the mid 1990's, but as WCW got more popular they added house shows and televised events. Eric Bischoff said in his auto-biography "Controversy Creates Ca$h" that this was one of the key mistakes he made. He knew money was one factor, but lifestyle for many is a bigger factor.
TNA leverages WrestleMania
This year, WrestleMania takes place in Orlando, FL during the middle of Spring Break season. Universal Studios (though not TNA) has announced iMPACT tapings for March 24th and March 25th, the Monday and Tuesday after WrestleMania. Monday Night RAW that week will be in Columbia, SC, while the SmackDown!/ECW tapings has not been announced. Judging by typical WWE touring schedules, SmackDown!/ECW will be taped in the mid-Atlantic region.
Seemingly, many people coming down for WrestleMania will still be in the area for at least part of the week and may want to visit Universal Studios. Although TNA has no problems filling this iMPACT Zone, this will be a rare opportunity to display their show to a whole new audience and gain some fans.
On the other hand, this timing of events could backfire on them. Rowdy and rambunctious hardcore WWE fans could get into the iMPACT Zone and either disrupt tapings or start chants that are unflattering to TNA. It is a risk the company will have to take, although they do have the power of an editing machine.
MARKETPLACE
In the Marketplace we look at the trends in television ratings. This section is less for critical analysis by the Journal but more for the reader to see what is really going on and to draw their own conclusions.
As with stocks, here in the Journal we track the progress of television ratings. If ratings are the barometer by which we judge the product, then over the course of 52 weeks we should be able to see patterns, trends, and anomalies. Please note that gaps in the chart below are due to data not being released/available.
For the week ending Thursday December 27, 2007, here are the current standings of our shows:
RAW
Close (This Week's Rating): 2.5
Open (Last Week's Rating): 3.5
Percentage Change: ▼ 28.6%
52-Week High: 4.3
52-Week Low: 2.5
All Time High: 8.1
All Time Low: 1.8
SmackDown!*
Close (This Week's Rating): 2.9
Open (Last Week's Rating): 2.7
Percentage Change: ▲ 7.4%
52-Week High: 3.3
52-Week Low: 2.2
All Time High: 5.8
All Time Low: 1.0
* SmackDown! ratings may include fast overnight if final ratings are not posted. Also, SmackDown! ratings are for the prior week as overnights are not available before this article goes to print.
ECW
Close (This Week's Rating): 0.9
Open (Last Week's Rating): 1.3
Percentage Change: ▼ 30.8%
52-Week High: 2.3
52-Week Low: 0.6
All Time High**: 2.3
All Time Low**: 0.6
** ECW's All Time figures include ECW on TNN
TNA iMPACT***
Close (This Week's Rating): 1.1
Open (Last Week's Rating): 1.2
Percentage Change: ▼ 8.3%
52-Week High: 1.2
52-Week Low: 0.6
All Time High: 1.2
All Time Low: 0.6
*** TNA iMPACT's are for the prior week as ratings may not be available at the time of the Journal's posting
Analysis:
Not surprising seeing a drop in ratings with the holidays, especially those falling on the holiday days themselves. An important note is that when TNA landed on Thanksgiving, ratings did not dip at all. But when ECW fell on Christmas this year, it dropped about a third. But this show was a clip show, so a ratings drop of a third is not a terrible result. RAW was a brand new show and the Tribute to the Troops and it also lost nearly a third of its audience. ECW's rating does not come near its all-time low rating, which was a 0.6 when it went head-to-head with TNA iMPACT.
MONEY AND INVESTING
We all know that wrestling is a business, but we don't often pay attention to what sells and makes money. Money and Investing looks into the top selling items in the world of wrestling and any interesting figures that may have come out this week.
What are the top ten selling items for the WWE? From WWEShopZone.com:
1. WWE Best of Raw 15th Anniversary DVD
2. Triple H The Conqueror T-shirt
3. WWE Best of Raw 15th Anniversary DVD & CD T-Shirt Package
4. Chris Jericho Y2J T-shirt
5. The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling DVD T-shirt Package
6. John Cena My Life DVD
7. Triple H Grey Skull T-shirt
8. Shawn Michael Heartbreak and Triumph DVD Retro T-shirt Package
9. WWE Black Gift Bag
10. Stone Cold Steve Austin Jakks Exclusive Action Figure
And after months in the Top 5, the Black Gift Bag finally slips to number nine! Obviously, with the holidays coming to an end (although Chinese New Year is close), the gift bags give way to regular products. Otherwise, the mix of products remains relatively the same with the latest CD release leaving the list and the World Class DVD and Stone Cold figure returning. How this list will change in January should be interesting and give an indication of important figures as WrestleMania season begins.
TNA requires a little bit more research. Their website does not release Top Ten lists, so the Journal does a general search for a space on "featured products" and sorts by most popular. They came up in order as:
1. The History of TNA: Year 1 DVD
2. Instant Classic: The Best of Christian Cage DVD
3. TNA Fleece Jacket
4. NEW TNA Hoodie
5. TNA Bound for Glory 2007 DVD
6. TNA Fleece Blanket (B)
7. 2008 Wall Calendar
8. Long Sleeve TNA Logo T-shirt (Navy)
9. Long Sleeve TNA Logo T-shirt (Charcoal)
10. TNA Christmas Ornament
TNA's list does not move at all this week as the products continue to sell. What is interesting is what is showing up behind the top ten that may be finding their ways in soon. This list includes Booker T's T-shirt, TNA Playing Cards, Knock Outs T-shirt, and a TNA baseball cap. After all, the Christmas Ornament cannot last too much longer.
PERSONAL JOURNAL
Wrestling isn't just about watching and reading. The best way to be a wrestling fan is to experience it live. Where is wrestling coming to in the next 2 weeks? The Personal Journal answers that question.
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
30 (Dec)
RAW Live Raleigh, NC
SmackDown!/ECW (Tapings) Richmond, VA
TNA Live Oshawa, Ontario
ROH Live New York City, NY
31
1 (Jan)
2
3
4
RAW Live White Plains, NY
5
RAW Live Poughkeepsie, NY (Matinee)
RAW Live Poughkeepsie, NY (Night)
SmackDown!/ECW Live Canton, OH
6
RAW Live Utica, NY
SmackDown!/ECW Live Johnstown, PA
7
RAW Uncasville, CT
SmackDown!/ECW Live Elmira, NY
TNA iMPACT (Tapings) Orlando, FL
8
SmackDown!/ECW Wilkes-Barre, PA
TNA iMPACT (Tapings) Orlando, FL
9
TNA Live Belton, TX
10
TNA Live Austin, TX
11
RAW Live Jacksonville, FL
TNA Live Dallas, TX
12
RAW Live Tallahassee, FL
SmackDown!/ECW Live Jonesboro, AK
TNA Live Oklahoma City, OK
Do you know a wrestling event coming up? Send one in to The Hamilton Ave Journal and we'll be sure to add it to the list.
EDITORIALS
The Editorials section is designed for you, the readers, to respond to the views presented in the Journal, send an important news item, or talk about another overlooked business related item in wrestling. Just beware: the Journal reserves the right to respond back.
No critical pieces were written this week, so worth your read instead is:
