BoxRec

A mate of mine went to the O2 Arena in London last night to watch WWE Wrestling, it was a sell out with over 15,000 people. Whats going on, boxing don't get that following, if we don't do something boxing will go down the drain. We need more Eddie Hearn's coming into the sport putting on big figs like the Brook v Hatton contest. Other promotors also need to think up ways to bring the crowds back we can't let wrestling take over.

I think you have to take into consideration smackdown and raw only come here once a year and only do a few shows so you would expect them to get big crowds.

boxfan3 wrote:A mate of mine went to the O2 Arena in London last night to watch WWE Wrestling, it was a sell out with over 15,000 people. Whats going on, boxing don't get that following, if we don't do something boxing will go down the drain. We need more Eddie Hearn's coming into the sport putting on big figs like the Brook v Hatton contest. Other promotors also need to think up ways to bring the crowds back we can't let wrestling take over.

Kevin Mitchell got 14,000 v Michael Katisdis at Upton Park Boxfan3.

Don't be misled.

WWE isn't the threat to boxing. The people that run boxing are the threat to boxing.

Also consider how many would have watched some of Khan, Froch & Hayes recent fights if they'd been in the UK.

I must admit to being surprised by the amount of interest in WWE, I can't see the enticement myself. The sight of a forty something year old with an inflatable hand shouting 'your going down' to a lycra clad steriod addict always leaves me with a chuckle. Each to their own of course, I'm sure a lot of wrestling fans can't see boxing's pull.

I'm a big fan of the WWE but it is no threat whatsoever to boxing. Ultimately it's entertainment rather than a fully fledged sport.
I take wrestling for what it is, it's a bit of fun which I find highly entertaining.

Smoggy's right, the fact that the WWE only comes to the UK a couple of times a year ensures that they are likely to get sell out crowds.

TNA beat WWE and sold out MEN, nottingham and half of wembley, i think people follow wrestling more is because you are guarenteed action and its easily accessable to none fans


But it is entertainment, you may as well ask why people go watch a play or go to music concerts

Adamj1987 wrote:TNA beat WWE and sold out MEN, nottingham and half of wembley, i think people follow wrestling more is because you are guarenteed action and its easily accessable to none fans


But it is entertainment, you may as well ask why people go watch a play or go to music concerts

Not sure I'd agree with your comparison. A wrestling fan once told me to think of it like a soap opera, and I do, I don't watch or rate those either.

I'm not knocking those who enjoy it, but I'd soon lose interest in boxing if the fight was scripted and subjected to some of the storylines which I believe occur in wrestling. It's just my opinion, to be honest I thought that view was a lot more widely held than I've realised since being on the forum here. No one I know watches WWE as an adult (well no one admits it) so I was surprised to find interest from so many good posters on here. And from you too Adam.

WWE is all acting and most of the top men have all been in films. Its not a sport, its entertainment so you might as well compare a Madonna concert with a top boxing bill. Its fun to watch but the storylines are too silly and stupid to believe. The level of fitness and the hours practicing their moves has to be admired. Its not often something goes wrong and they have an accident so they are very accomplished at what they do. I wouldnt want The Undertaker giving me a tombstone even though he would make sure my head never touches the canvass. Boxing is under threat for other reasons. Weak bills and too many cancelled bills piss the fans off. So often the results can be predicted before the the fights take place. Upsets are rare but thats all you can hope for when a fighter with a good record takes on a journeyman. What we all want are more 50/50 fights and less boxing politics. Fury cant fight Price because of their contracts to Ch5 and Sky for instance. allegedly is failing because of too many cancelled fights. Khan did make boxing popular again but all that PPV ruined it for people who couldnt, or wouldnt, pay extra for his fights. Its time for all the promoters, TV Channels and boxing management to get together and find a way to make the sport exciting again. Fighters losing but getting the win, a timekeeper ringing the bell early to save Macranelli etc turn would be fans away from the sport.

Exactly... it's all made up before they go out there and perform

It's like saying Cirque de Soleil gets more fans than boxing and asking the sport's promoters/managers to follow their lead.

WWE is pantomime

Don't get me wrong, when I was a kid I adored WWF (Ultimate Warrior, Big Boss Man etc) but I knew it was just for show, unlike the wars I'd see in a boxing ring. Benn v Eubank, for example

Boxing absolutely must market itself better... but it's difficult when you have to pay so much to watch it. You can't just tune in and enjoy it as before, you have to subscribe to ESPN or allegedly or whatever... the way of the world

JamesH wrote:

Adamj1987 wrote:TNA beat WWE and sold out MEN, nottingham and half of wembley, i think people follow wrestling more is because you are guarenteed action and its easily accessable to none fans


But it is entertainment, you may as well ask why people go watch a play or go to music concerts

Not sure I'd agree with your comparison. A wrestling fan once told me to think of it like a soap opera, and I do, I don't watch or rate those either.

I'm not knocking those who enjoy it, but I'd soon lose interest in boxing if the fight was scripted and subjected to some of the storylines which I believe occur in wrestling. It's just my opinion, to be honest I thought that view was a lot more widely held than I've realised since being on the forum here. No one I know watches WWE as an adult (well no one admits it) so I was surprised to find interest from so many good posters on here. And from you too Adam.

indeed it is like a soap opera and prefair it to all soap operas.
when i say action as in specific moves and high flying things etc

i happily admit it and i know quite a few posters on here enjoy it. i watch TNA (not WWE) and go to my local indi promotion every month. i enjoy it as much as boxing and rate both over MMA personaly

that wrestling is certainly no threat to boxing,it really is a load of bollox ! got to admit with growing up in the late 60,s and early 70,s i use to watch the british wrestling on a satday afternoon with kent walton,world of sport. les kellet,jackie pallo (reg gutteridges cousin ),mick mcmanus, etc. but that was cosidered a farce like it has always been. i think the only threat to boxing is this mma and ufc,its massive in the states and has a big marketing with all the products like figures,dvds,etc. but certainly that wrestling wwf and all that crap is not at all a threat to boxing as boxing still pulls massive crowds,but again people wanna see the champions fight each other,wereas them in ufc do. i cant say im a big fan of that ufc as boxing is my first choice and number one to me,but slowly warming to it. but i could never be as enthusiastic with that like iam to boxing.

Captain Hook wrote:Exactly... it's all made up before they go out there and perform

It's like saying Cirque de Soleil gets more fans than boxing and asking the sport's promoters/managers to follow their lead.

WWE is pantomime

Don't get me wrong, when I was a kid I adored WWF (Ultimate Warrior, Big Boss Man etc) but I knew it was just for show, unlike the wars I'd see in a boxing ring. Benn v Eubank, for example

Boxing absolutely must market itself better... but it's difficult when you have to pay so much to watch it. You can't just tune in and enjoy it as before, you have to subscribe to ESPN or Allegedly channel or whatever... the way of the world

Sounds like you must be around my age they were the guys in WWF when i used to watch it. The bushwackers, legion of doom, tug boat, andre the giant it broke my heart when i found out it wasnt real never watched it again - true story

boxfan3 wrote:A mate of mine went to the O2 Arena in London last night to watch WWE Wrestling, it was a sell out with over 15,000 people. Whats going on, boxing don't get that following, if we don't do something boxing will go down the drain. We need more Eddie Hearn's coming into the sport putting on big figs like the Brook v Hatton contest. Other promotors also need to think up ways to bring the crowds back we can't let wrestling take over.

What are the attendances for British promotions in Wrestling? If there is still such a thing, as that would be a better gauge.

Jim Bowen wrote:

boxfan3 wrote:A mate of mine went to the O2 Arena in London last night to watch WWE Wrestling, it was a sell out with over 15,000 people. Whats going on, boxing don't get that following, if we don't do something boxing will go down the drain. We need more Eddie Hearn's coming into the sport putting on big figs like the Brook v Hatton contest. Other promotors also need to think up ways to bring the crowds back we can't let wrestling take over.

What are the attendances for British promotions in Wrestling? If there is still such a thing, as that would be a better gauge.

PCW averages about 600 but its in a nightclub

PBW in glasgow and Futureshock in manchester average about 800-1000

Adamj1987 wrote:PCW averages about 600 but its in a nightclub

PBW in glasgow and Futureshock in manchester average about 800-1000

So effectively on the level of Small Hall shows when it comes to Boxing? Bit sensationalist of the OP then really, especially as WWE only comes over for a limited amount of shows per year, with Boxing running multiple shows a week, not really comparable. It's like comparing the top 5 fights of the year with average League One attendances and then saying Boxing is in a better state than Football.

Jim Bowen wrote:

Adamj1987 wrote:PCW averages about 600 but its in a nightclub

PBW in glasgow and Futureshock in manchester average about 800-1000

So effectively on the level of Small Hall shows when it comes to Boxing? Bit sensationalist of the OP then really, especially as WWE only comes over for a limited amount of shows per year, with Boxing running multiple shows a week, not really comparable. It's like comparing the top 5 fights of the year with average League One attendances and then saying Boxing is in a better state than Football.

well you have to remember that these promotions only run 1 show a month if that and for £7.50-12 a ticket its generally cheaper and more infrequent than boxing.

for me personally i have to travel if i want to watch boxing, for wrestling i dont so for me i spend more money on wrestling tickets than i do boxing becaus it costs less travel wise aswell as ticket wise


so basically

Wrestling is more infrequent and cheaper
Attendances are similar to small hall boxing
the wrestlers usually cross over promotions so you are usually guaranteed to see a wrestler you like.
WWE and TNA only do 4 or 5 dates a year which is similar to big time boxing (bute-froch level)

i'd say they are on a pretty even keel but brit wrestling doesnt get any air time let alone a dedicated TV channel

johnnykayo wrote:that wrestling is certainly no threat to boxing,it really is a load of bollox ! got to admit with growing up in the late 60,s and early 70,s i use to watch the british wrestling on a satday afternoon with kent walton,world of sport. les kellet,jackie pallo (reg gutteridges cousin ),mick mcmanus, etc. but that was cosidered a farce like it has always been. i think the only threat to boxing is this mma and ufc,its massive in the states and has a big marketing with all the products like figures,dvds,etc. but certainly that wrestling wwf and all that crap is not at all a threat to boxing as boxing still pulls massive crowds,but again people wanna see the champions fight each other,wereas them in ufc do. i cant say im a big fan of that ufc as boxing is my first choice and number one to me,but slowly warming to it. but i could never be as enthusiastic with that like iam to boxing.

Your mention of the British wrestlers brought back some memories. The tag teams of Mick McManus and Steve Logan and Bad Bobby Barnes and Adrian Street were favourites of mine. In those days there was real rivalry between the BBC and ITV for viewers and I remember one cup final day in particular. The cup final was on the BBC so ITV put a very special wrestling bill on at the same time. The main event was Mr TV Jackie Pallo v Mick McManus. It was for the best of three falls and Pallo got the first. McManus got the following two falls and won the contest punching Pallo in the guts blind side of the ref. British wrestling didnt have all the showbiz of the WWE and as far as we were concerned it was for real. Wrestling stole the day with over two thirds of the veiwing audience, hardly anyone I knew watched the cup final. In later years it was very obvious British wrestling was fixed with the likes of Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks but not in the early 1960s when McManus beat Pallo. That has to be the most exciting fight I have ever seen. Even the newspapers had pictures of both wrestlers and asked the question "who will win". The commentry by Kent Walton (a Canadian, I think) was just as convincing as any by Reg Gutteridge, so yes we believed it was real. In those days I was a regular at the Brent Town Hall to see the wrestlers of the day. Great memories of when I was young, in my teens and early 20s. Of all the boxers I have watched since the 1960s the most exciting has to be Nigel Benn. I know I wont be popular when I say Ali is well down my top 10.

in my view the wwe is the elite in pro wrestling so comparing british wrestling to a small hall show is spot on , if your going to compare wwe to boxing in this country then you have to consider what the attendance would be for something like Mayweather vs Pacquiao , which i my view would be a bit more than the 15,000 at raw .

Wrestling is not comparable to boxing, it's part ballet, part semi contact martial arts, part soap opera, and part bodybuilding.

A sport - no, not WWE in any case - you have to look at Greco Roman wrestling competitions to see wrestling as sport, and that wouldn't sell out more than a local colleges sports hall.

WWE and the like even market themselves as 'sports entertainment.' Says it all.

I've no doubt that if Pacquaio v Mayweather was held in the Phillipines, and the ticket prices were correct - you could fill the biggest stadium in the country.

It would never happen of course - as Mayweather would never agree to it - but I actually think it could make more money there than anywhere, the promoters could sell out venues with closed circuit access and make an absolute killing.

I reckon you could get 10 million people paying 10 quid a pop no trouble, (PPV - closed circuit etc) plus another 50 quid upwards for a 100,000 seater stadium (if they have such a stadium anywhere in the country). The combined money would be humungous.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Wrestling is not comparable to boxing, it's part ballet, part semi contact martial arts, part soap opera, and part bodybuilding.

A sport - no, not WWE in any case - you have to look at Greco Roman wrestling competitions to see wrestling as sport, and that wouldn't sell out more than a local colleges sports hall.

WWE and the like even market themselves as 'sports entertainment.' Says it all.

I've no doubt that if Pacquaio v Mayweather was held in the Phillipines, and the ticket prices were correct - you could fill the biggest stadium in the country.

It would never happen of course - as Mayweather would never agree to it - but I actually think it could make more money there than anywhere, the promoters could sell out venues with closed circuit access and make an absolute killing.

I reckon you could get 10 million people paying 10 quid a pop no trouble, (PPV - closed circuit etc) plus another 50 quid upwards for a 100,000 seater stadium (if they have such a stadium anywhere in the country). The combined money would be humungous.

Im not sure your average man on the street in the phillipines has that type of cash isnt the standard wage out there about £60 a month?

DavidPayne wrote:The people that run boxing are the threat to boxing.

Amen to that. Boxing could learn a few lessons in advertising, razamataz at shows etc and from the WWE/TNA though.

kingfinn wrote:

Captain Hook wrote:Exactly... it's all made up before they go out there and perform

It's like saying Cirque de Soleil gets more fans than boxing and asking the sport's promoters/managers to follow their lead.

WWE is pantomime

Don't get me wrong, when I was a kid I adored WWF (Ultimate Warrior, Big Boss Man etc) but I knew it was just for show, unlike the wars I'd see in a boxing ring. Benn v Eubank, for example

Boxing absolutely must market itself better... but it's difficult when you have to pay so much to watch it. You can't just tune in and enjoy it as before, you have to subscribe to ESPN or Allegedly channel or whatever... the way of the world

Sounds like you must be around my age they were the guys in WWF when i used to watch it. The bushwackers, legion of doom, tug boat, andre the giant it broke my heart when i found out it wasnt real never watched it again - true story

A lot of them are dead now.... Texas Tornado, British Bulldog, Owen Hart