Hunting re: AEW
Posted by
The Allfather (aka David)
Dec 8 '21, 13:01
|
Meltzer was talking about this the other day with Roman Reigns. Critics suggest he's not a draw because the ratings aren't any better. Well, there's data that shows how Smackdown did while he was away during the pandemic vs. when he returned. Similarly, his merchandise sales are outrageously good...as a heel.
With Adam Cole, NXT was consistently getting 700k and 0.20 in the demo despite direct competition from AEW.
Since he's left, both those numbers have dropped about 20-25%. NXT's average viewing age now is 62 years old.
To a larger point, I've never seen someone question whether hiring top talent is smart. One side gets stronger while the other side gets weaker.
WWE just lost several of its best storytellers at a time when its crippling weakness is storytelling. They've gone to the competition.
That doesn't mean AEW will win. Plenty still has to happen for that to occur. However, I'll use an analogy of Universal Studios. At the end of the millennium, many Imagineers lost their jobs at Disney. They went to the competition. Not coincidentally, Universal Studios secured its future with those hires.
Shave with Occam's Razor. Getting better workers is always better for your business.
|