Wrestlenomics

*The latest news on COVID19's effect on the wrestling business.

*Paul Levesque's new EVP title.

*What are people actually referring to when they say 'attendance'? Brandon Thurston gives an overview of the most highly-attended wrestling events of modern times. Live gate (revenue generated from ticket sales) is better understood than attendance in more recent times. The most lucrative events in wrestling history are largely Wrestlemania events. Events bought by authoritarian governments also have an interesting place in these ranks.

Video version for attendance section: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8qIDxWUdx4

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Video version of this podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKoHkcaSpNc

WWE withdrew its Q1 and full year 2020 guidance earlier this week due to the potential business impact of COVID-19. Brandon Thurston puts this in context and estimates how much revenue WWE generates directly from WrestleMania and what the impact would be if the event and related events are canceled.

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Video version of this podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTatIcui2GI

Brandon Thurston analyzes the pattern of decline in a number of WWE's key metrics. While the company has reach financial heights in recent years, its increase in revenue and profits have coincided with a decrease in revenue generated directly by consumers. The role of Vince McMahon as head of creative, the absence of John Cena and WWE's inability to create difference-making stars have been key factors.

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With WWE apparently ready to sell the broadcast rights to its pay-per-view events to a major streaming service, Brandon Thurston discusses possible buyers and options for how the PPVs might be offered. Plus, many interesting notes we learned from WWE's 2019 annual report. Finally, what does an increased reliance on revenue from business partners -- and a decreased reliance on revenue directly from consumers -- mean for wrestling fans?

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WWE CEO Vince McMahon told investors today there may be a "transformative" change coming to WWE business. Just one week after announcing the exit of co-presidents George Barrios and Michelle Wilson, it was revealed pay-per-view events may be moving off the WWE Network and onto a major streaming service.

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George Barrios and Michelle Wilson are out as co-presidents of WWE. Brandon Thurston discusses the news of the exit and likely firing of the #2 and #3 corporate officers for the world’s biggest pro-wrestling company.

Vince McMahon commented: “I decided a change was necessary as we have different views on how best to achieve our strategic priorities moving forward.”

We take your questions, as read by Kate Carney. Plus a preview of the WWE Q4 and full year 2019 earnings report that will be taking place Thursday, February 6.

WWE press release: https://corporate.wwe.com/investors/news/press-releases/2020/01-30-2020-213333313

Wrestlenomics Pro Wrestling Industry Report, Full Year 2019: https://payhip.com/b/qICi

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Brandon Thurston is joined by Chris Harrington to review the WWE Q3 2019 earnings report. WWE shares fell by more than 15% following Thursday's report. Multiple key metrics showed declining trends. Vince McMahon was missing from the conference call due to the event in Saudi Arabia happening the same day. WWE had to adjust its profit projection for the year but is still expected to break its company financial records for 2019.

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Brandon Thurston is joined by Chris Gullo to discuss NXT’s debut on the USA Network, viewed by 1,179,000 viewers. What does this mean for the upcoming head-to-head competition with AEW? Impact Wrestling’s parent company, Anthem, has acquired AXS TV. What are the political implications for the wrestling landscape now that Anthem owns New Japan Pro Wrestling’s U.S. broadcast?

Plus, new analysis: As the 2010s come to a close, who had the most top voted matches for each decade? What would WWE’s PPV buys be like if there was no WWE Network? Has WWE recover the opportunity cost for the Network?

Finally, we take a quick look at Linda McMahon’s recent political donations.

Background:

https://deadspin.com/with-nxt-moving-to-usa-network-wwes-wednesday-night-wa-1837486293

https://www.anthemse.com/post/anthem-sports-entertainment-to-partner-with-axs-tv-founder-mark-cuban

https://www.newsweek.com/impact-wrestling-axs-tv-anthem-weekly-show-bound-glory-1459001

https://www.thewrap.com/axs-tv-layoffs-40-employees-mark-cuban-sale-anthem-sports-steve-harvey/

https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/nielsen-coverage-estimates-september-espn-nbcsn-nbatv-mlbn-nfln.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_Wrestling

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB5

https://www.npr.org/2019/09/18/762108954/california-governor-signs-law-protecting-gig-economy-workers

https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/state-of-combat-with-brian-campbell/

https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Linda+McMahon&min_date=01%2F01%2F2000&max_date=12%2F31%2F2020

Website: wrestlenomics.com

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Brandon Thurston is joined by Chris Gullo to talk about the news of NXT moving to USA Network.

Background reading:

Press release (https://corporate.wwe.com/investors/news/press-releases/2019/08-20-2019-140343362)

Showbuzzdaily: Record of WWE NXT viewership on Dec 17, 2017 (https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2017/12/14/16778800/ratings-for-nxts-first-show-on-the-usa-network-are-in)

Seeking Alpha notes on MKM speculation on value of NXT deal (https://seekingalpha.com/news/3492953-wwe-plus-3_6-percent-mkm-sees-nxt-deal-coming-soon?dr=1#email_link)

Deadline: cable rankings (https://deadline.com/2018/12/cable-tv-network-ratings-2018-lists-fox-news-usa-network-1202523019/)

Awful Announcing: cable coverage (https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/nielsen-coverage-estimates-september-espn-nbcsn-nbatv-mlbn-nfln.html)

Website: wrestlenomics.com

Twitter: twitter.com/wrestlenomics 

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YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCD_WfonwdEwz91hcv3Mhsog 

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Brandon Thurston reviews WWE's Q2 2019 earnings report in-depth with Wrestlenomics founder Chris Harrington.

In the second half of the podcast, Brandon talks with Chris Gullo and D.J. Jarka more about WWE business news and Q2 metrics from other pro-wrestling companies.

WWE and Pro-Wrestling Industry Q2 2019 Info Sheet: https://payhip.com/b/zypj

Brandon's Fightful article on the WWE Q2 report: https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/exclusives/wwe-q2-analysis-vince-mcmahon-calls-aew-blood-and-guts-wrestlemania-s-paid-attendance-most-metrics

Website: wrestlenomics.com

Twitter: twitter.com/wrestlenomics 

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YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCD_WfonwdEwz91hcv3Mhsog 

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