The obvious question

[Masked Man of Mystery]

Does anyone have any ideas, theories, etc. as to why NO ONE other than Tokyo Pop with FMW has tried to sell puro legit in the States? I mean looking at the board there are plenty of puro marks here, and this is just a small sampling. If people can release generic bad hentai and think it'll sell, why not some New Japan? I bet most of the people who go and watch Rey from week to week would like "Best of Jushin Liger" or "Best of Tiger Mask" By the way, is there an offical English spelling of Jusin's name? I've seen every variation on how to spell that under the sun.

[Guest j.o.b. squad]

probably becose the puro fans make up such a small % of wrestling fans in the states that it is not cost efective to distribute.

 

as for liger there is no real english character spelling for his name becose his name is in japanese characters which do not exactly translate to english

[Jingus]

I'd imagine it's a problem trying to sell U.S. video distributors on "ordinary" puro. At least with FMW, there's a selling point that even the suits can see: these guys are carving each other up, setting each other on fire, and wrestling in EXPLOSIVES. There's nothing in Big Time American Wrestling (i.e., the WWE) like it. And it's got the added advantage of big names like Cactus Jack and Terry Funk (which are worth a lot more to the video marketing types than your average wrestler, after Beyond the Mat made money), plus a bunch of guys who've been on American shows in ECW before.

 

However, imagine your average distribution executive: a guy who's probably never watched wrestling in his life, wouldn't know a wristlock from a wristwatch, and has probably never heard of any wrestlers except for Hulk Hogan or The Rock. Imagine trying to sell him, say, Misawa/Kobashi vs. Kawada/Taue 6/9/95. Sure, it's one of the greatest matches of all time; but to a clueless putz like him, it's just four boring Japanese guys in tights pretending to fight for the better part of an hour. No big name stars, no flashy bullshit, no reason for him to think it might sell any copies at all.

[Masked Man of Mystery]

There are distributors who clerly work for a niche. Something Weird is a B movie fan's dream company, and ADV is my idea of an anime company. They're run by passionate people who love what they do love and what they sell, and realise that they work the niche. I think that there would definately be a market for it and even if you haven't seen him if you're a wrestling fan most likely you've HEARD of the Great Muta, you've HEARD of Tiger Mask, you've HEARD of Jushin Liger and if one were to put together decent compilations or shows for relatively cheap, people will buy it be they puro marks or just fans of good wrestling or the curious person who wants to know why people ave about that dude in the red mask that looks something like a demon

[Guest momoracci]

Yeah, cost effectiveness is likely the main issue - if I had to guess, I'd say they wouldn't be able to produce sales that would be commensurate to what it would cost to acquire the rights, produce and distribute this stuff to mainstream outlets. The diehard fans who are interested and have knowledge of whatever product they try to sell are already on the net, where the footage is easily attainable (and for pretty cheap, too). So there goes your biggest market. And banking on casual fans isn't the best idea when you're not the WWE.

 

Anthony

[Guest wildpegasus]

A lot of the hardcores already have their tapes. Still, I know I would purchase stuff I already have if it was subtitled. There've been many a time where I'm wondering what the announcers and wrestlers are saying.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

Honestly, I would have to say it's because they feel the cost won't justify the means on this. Basically, they don't feel there is a big enough fan base for it......so it wouldn't be worth it for their companies.

[Guest whitemilesdavis]

But, in Media Play, there is some Indy DVD with Norman Smiley headlining. Anyone who has spoken to me knows that I'm no puro fan, but if I saw best of Liger in Media play, I'd grab it in a heart beat.

[Frosty]

Still, I know I would purchase stuff I already have if it was subtitled. There've been many a time where I'm wondering what the announcers and wrestlers are saying.

Dude, I don't know about you but if I had to read subtitles during a wrestling match I'd lose my mind. You wouldn't be able to pay full attention to the match cause you'd be trying to keep up with the announcers.

 

Maybe have the announcers Overdubbed might work better.

[Guest wildpegasus]

Still, I know I would purchase stuff I already have if it was subtitled. There've been many a time where I'm wondering what the announcers and wrestlers are saying.

Dude, I don't know about you but if I had to read subtitles during a wrestling match I'd lose my mind. You wouldn't be able to pay full attention to the match cause you'd be trying to keep up with the announcers.

 

Maybe have the announcers Overdubbed might work better.

The only "problem" I have with subs is that I know what the person is saying well before he says it. A subtitle option on a DVD would be awesome. I don't care for dubbing because often the original commentary, the crowd and the audio from the ring is toned down. Also, I'm of the belief it's best to keep things in their original form as much as possable to keep the purity of it. I can see how it could be distracting from the action but we could always watch the match with or without subs. Or both.