Dangerous Incorporated
10-03-2006, 12:03 AM
WWE vs. UFC
The MSNBC section of MSN.com today has an article up regarding the recent height in popularity the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is generating right now. What makes this story "newsworthy" on a wrestling website is that strong business comparisons are made to World Wrestling Entertainment. One part of the article boasts quote, "According to industry sources, UFC's most successful pay-per-view event this year generated more than $30 million in revenue, a sum that beats WrestleMania's $23 million haul and HBO's typical $16 million from a night of boxing." Live gate revenue is also discussed in the article adding quote, "Live fights are also popular: August's UFC 62 at Mandalay Bay in Vegas generated a $3.1 million live gate, more than any WWE event this year." I don't think it is any secret right now that the UFC is doing much better business both pay per view and live event wise than World Wrestling Entertainment at the moment (not to say WWE is doing horrible, but they are no where near UFC numbers right now). Although many wrestling fans may not watch the product, the same demographic is there for wrestling and real fighting regardless and I think it is safe to say that many former wrestling fans are tuning out the current product in favor of MMA. We can only assume how upset WWE officials will be when word of his article makes the rounds.
The MSNBC section of MSN.com today has an article up regarding the recent height in popularity the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is generating right now. What makes this story "newsworthy" on a wrestling website is that strong business comparisons are made to World Wrestling Entertainment. One part of the article boasts quote, "According to industry sources, UFC's most successful pay-per-view event this year generated more than $30 million in revenue, a sum that beats WrestleMania's $23 million haul and HBO's typical $16 million from a night of boxing." Live gate revenue is also discussed in the article adding quote, "Live fights are also popular: August's UFC 62 at Mandalay Bay in Vegas generated a $3.1 million live gate, more than any WWE event this year." I don't think it is any secret right now that the UFC is doing much better business both pay per view and live event wise than World Wrestling Entertainment at the moment (not to say WWE is doing horrible, but they are no where near UFC numbers right now). Although many wrestling fans may not watch the product, the same demographic is there for wrestling and real fighting regardless and I think it is safe to say that many former wrestling fans are tuning out the current product in favor of MMA. We can only assume how upset WWE officials will be when word of his article makes the rounds.