The Person Most Responsible For Raw's High Rating

[Guest wootman]

VISCERA!!!!!!!!!!

 

And probably Lilian too.

 

5. Raw draws season high 4.3 rating, buoyed by Viscera-Lilian segment

 

The unlikely sources of Viscera and Lilian Garcia helped elevate the May 16 Raw to a season high 4.3 rating. The highest rated segment on the show wasn't the Edge vs. Kane main event (4.7), or Randy Orton's surprise return (4.6), or Ric Flair vs. Christian (4.4); it was Viscera singing to Lilian Garcia, which drew a 4.8 quarter hour rating. -pwtorch.com

 

So Viscera of all people got the highest rated segment on the highest-rated WWE show this year, LOL. Not Triple H, not Batista, OMG!!! NOT BENOIT!!! But rather, it was Big Vis. A person who was completely off the radar for the past five years. And to the workrate freaks who hate him, put that in your pipe and smoke it! Big Vis just got the highest rating out of anyone in pro wrestling.

 

Anyways, VISCERA = RATINGS. I think he's going to be a mainstay on Raw nowadays rather than just show up once a month as he's one person that can help in the ratings department. People are always wondering, what is Viscera gonna do next?

 

I'm very much pleased about this news. Not only is Big Vis King of the Ring, but he's King of The Ratings too!!!

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

Or it could just be the train wreck effect.

 

The highest rated Raw segment, not match, was the terrible This Is Your Life segment with Mankind and Rock, and that wound up meaning nothing.

 

Call it a hunch, but I don't think Viscera drawing ratings will translate into Viscera drawing money.

[Guest wootman]

Then again, who does draw money nowadays? Maybe Cena to a degree, but it's mostly the WWE brand itself.

 

I think Viscera's segments helps make WWE that whimsical world like back in 1999 when they had the most whacked out stuff than could only happen in WWE and thus made them get such high ratings. I think WWE has been missing that sort of stuff lately, so it's nice to see Big Vis bring it back. Benoit wrestling for 20 minutes is not gonna do anything except make people flip the channel. Raw could use more sports entertainment like the kind Viscera brings.

[Guest Fook]

Viscera's segment was at the 10:00 mark. It could be that people watching something else from 9 to 10 tuned in, which sparked the high rating, then changed the channel because the segment was horrible. That would explain why the ratings went down from that point onwards.

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

I think Viscera's segments helps make WWE that whimsical world like back in 1999 when they had the most whacked out stuff than could only happen in WWE and thus made them get such high ratings. I think WWE has been missing that sort of stuff lately, so it's nice to see Big Vis bring it back. Benoit wrestling for 20 minutes is not gonna do anything except make people flip the channel. Raw could use more sports entertainment like the kind Viscera brings.

I think Viscera's segments helps make WWE that whimsical world like back in 1999 when they had the most whacked out stuff than could only happen in WWE and thus made them get such high ratings.

 

A lot of the 1999 TV was terrible looking back on it. 2 minute matches, inane angles, and so much crap thrown out that almost none of it stuck. Yes, it got them high ratings, but that didn't always translate into money.

 

Benoit wrestling for 20 minutes is not gonna do anything except make people flip the channel. Raw could use more sports entertainment like the kind Viscera brings.

 

You seem to have a anti-hard on for Benoit for some reason. If it came down to putting on Benoit, or any great wrestler in the ring for 20 minutes, and putting a fat black guy out there for 20 minutes in a cheesy as heck segment, I'll go with what's realistically most likely to build to something that could draw money.

[Jericho2000Mark 0]

Are those casual fans retarded?

[AndrewTS 0]

Are those casual fans retarded?

the Edge vs. Kane main event (4.7), or Randy Orton's surprise return (4.6),

 

Yup.

[Placebo Effect 0]

Viscera's segments are actually the only reason I watch Raw.

[Exslade ZX 0]

A lot of the 1999 TV was terrible looking back on it. 2 minute matches, inane angles, and so much crap thrown out that almost none of it stuck. Yes, it got them high ratings, but that didn't always translate into money.

But it did somehow translate into what smarks who pretty much hate the product now call 'the Good ol days'. Which confuses me, because like you said, most of it was crap, a lot more then now at least, and yet people praise this era. There were a lot of rough spots, of course with high spots, like Austin storylines, Rock storylines, etc. but then you look at the rest of the card during these same times and its like WTF?

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

But it did somehow translate into what smarks who pretty much hate the product now call 'the Good ol days'. Which confuses me, because like you said, most of it was crap, a lot more then now at least, and yet people praise this era. There were a lot of rough spots, of course with high spots, like Austin storylines, Rock storylines, etc. but then you look at the rest of the card during these same times and its like WTF?

 

Most 'smarks' refer to 2000 as 'the Good ol days', because when they sit down and pay attention to what happened in 1999, it's realised that most of it really wasn't that good.

[AndrewTS 0]

"But it did somehow translate into what smarks who pretty much hate the product now call 'the Good ol days'. Which confuses me, because like you said, most of it was crap, a lot more then now at least, and yet people praise this era."

 

This is news to me.

[Exslade ZX 0]

"But it did somehow translate into what smarks who pretty much hate the product now call 'the Good ol days'. Which confuses me, because like you said, most of it was crap, a lot more then now at least, and yet people praise this era."

 

This is news to me.

Well, like HTQ said, it might have been 2000 that most refer to. But I'm pretty sure in most cases I've seen, most refer to the Attitude era as one of the best times/most exciting times, and that's like 98-99? Don't believe 2000 was included

[Jericho2000Mark 0]

I consider 98-fall '00 the "good ol days".

[razazteca 0]

Are those casual fans retarded?

proper word would be moron?

[The Czech Republic 0]

Everyone considers 2000 the good old days, because it was that cool post-Attitude (I think I remember people calling it Intensity...heh) where you had the storylines of the Russo years, to a degree, but the wrestling was much bigger than it was then, as Jericho, Angle, Benoit, Guerrero, Malenko, Saturn, all came in at that time, as well as HHH being at his best. Basically Stone Cold was out for a lot of 2000, I think, so everyone sort of worked harder to make up for it, and the product was actually better.

[Guest Nater]

VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS VISCERA = RATINGS

What are you trying to say?

 

I think Chris Masters really ties the show together.

[AlaskanHero 0]

Are those casual fans retarded?

proper word would be moron?

How are they morons? They turned the channel. We didn't.

 

Besides, I didn't think it was all that bad of a segment. Hell, I thought the segment last week and the one this week were some of the funniest things I've ever seen.

 

Though, I found some funny moments in the whole Katie Vick thing, so take my opinion on what's funny and what's not for what you will.

[Guest HeadDropMark]

Or it could just be the train wreck effect.

 

The highest rated Raw segment, not match, was the terrible This Is Your Life segment with Mankind and Rock, and that wound up meaning nothing.

 

Call it a hunch, but I don't think Viscera drawing ratings will translate into Viscera drawing money.

Vis scoring a high quarter hour during May Sweeps most certainly _DOES_ contribute to him drawing money for the company. Ad rates going forward are being set this month and a segment which scores like that is beneficial to WWE's bottom line.

 

There seems to be a real disconnect on the Internet as to what type of content appeals to the WWE audience at large. Things like Diva Search (which turned out to generate a great 'side product' through DVD's, calendars, Christy's QH's) and Big Vis type comedy segments are what typically draws strong ratings, often above much of the 'wrestling' segments.

 

Internet fans tend to overrate the value of things like 'workrate' and 'logical booking' along with other micro analytical concepts when viewing the WWE product. Most people just want to see something casually amusing ('look Big Vis is in his red boxers doing the Rick Rude hip swivel') or GLOW type T & A ('those two hotties are hitting each other with pillows') then a 20 minute Chris Benoit match on free TV which presumably they'll be asked to _PAY FOR_ a week or so later for $34.95 a pop.

 

Personally I'd prefer as much fluff and build to the chracters and storylines as possible...with the quality 'wrestling' saved for the PPV's. As a fan who grew up on the Saturday morning 1980's squash/character build formula I appreciate things like Big Vis segments. I think hardcore fans who have watched far more pro wrestling than the average Raw viewer tend to become spoiled (and overexposed) through wrestling content overload, and thus out of touch with what actually draws ratings, interest and excitement...along with missing out on the underlying reasons _WHY_ it's able to do so.

[Ultra Violence 0]

People constantly claim that ring work cannot draw money, however I'm sure if a casual fan tuned into a Shelton match if he was working his technical style but with plenty of spots it would keep them occupied.

[Slickster 0]

Except for the 'logical booking' part, I agree 100% with HeadDropMark.

[Exslade ZX 0]

People constantly claim that ring work cannot draw money, however I'm sure if a casual fan tuned into a Shelton match if he was working his technical style but with plenty of spots it would keep them occupied.

Yes, but more then likely, its those spots (in many cases) that keeps them drawn in, not the wrestling. For example, the Shelton/HBK match, a lot of fans dont' even remember anything about the match, but if you asked them what they thought, they might categorize it as one of the best matches they've seen because of that 'sweet SCM spot'. But not because the match had great chain wrestling, or great ring psychology etc.

[Black Lushus 0]

HBK did an excellent job of looking lost and flustered, like "Man I can't beat this guy!"...made it seem like he was the old guard passing the torch to the new blood...I loved how at the end he showed that he really respected Shelton and new he really should not have one that match...that was the perfect example of putting a guy over without actually taking a pinfall from him...and yes, the final SCM spot was absolute sickness...

 

unfortunantly, only folks like us appreciate that shit....casual fans tune out, for some odd reason...

[SuperJerk 0]

A lot of the 1999 TV was terrible looking back on it. 2 minute matches, inane angles, and so much crap thrown out that almost none of it stuck. Yes, it got them high ratings, but that didn't always translate into money.

But it did somehow translate into what smarks who pretty much hate the product now call 'the Good ol days'. Which confuses me, because like you said, most of it was crap, a lot more then now at least, and yet people praise this era. There were a lot of rough spots, of course with high spots, like Austin storylines, Rock storylines, etc. but then you look at the rest of the card during these same times and its like WTF?

Because back then it was new and exciting. They did all that stuff that seemed cool at the time, but it seems dumb now because they've recycled it 100+ times since then. Top face vs. evil owner, for example, put WWE back on the map. Now it seems dumb because after it was successful with Austin, they then tried variations of it with Rock, Mankind, Undertaker, Austin again, Triple H, Angle, Cena, and Batista. Surprise heel turns, run-ins, and worked-shoots have all gone from being cool ideas to recycled garbage due to overuse.

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

Maybe someone who got off on the Viscera deal can try and explain how that will translate into selling tickets or PPV buys, which are the bread and butter for WWE, considering that no matter how high their ratings are, they'll never get the ad dollars that are commensurate with those ratings.

[AndrewTS 0]

Are those casual fans retarded?

proper word would be moron?

How are they morons? They turned the channel. We didn't.

Speak for yourself--I tuned out when Orton appeared and when the Kane/Edge match came up.

 

Wrestlecrap often draws big ratings, so no big surprise about Visc.

[Sass 0]

Haven't some of the highest rated post-98 ratings come from the skits?

 

The Kiss Your Ass Club angle drew well after the Invasion ended. This Is Your Life with the Rock and Mankind drew that *ungodly* 8.2 rating, which I doubt will be reached again unless you roll Steph and Trish out into the ring after they both downed a fifth of JD and let the cameras just roll.

[iggymcfly 0]

I don't feel like looking it up, but if I remember right, some random Raw main event drew higher than that in 1999, just because Nitro wasn't on. I'm pretty sure the WWF had ratings over 8.0 quite a few times in 1999.

[chaosrage 0]

Maybe someone who got off on the Viscera deal can try and explain how that will translate into selling tickets or PPV buys, which are the bread and butter for WWE, considering that no matter how high their ratings are, they'll never get the ad dollars that are commensurate with those ratings.

Easy. People see that Raw is starting to become entertaining again or they about hear it from friends. So they start watching. Or someone flipping the channels sees a Viscera segment and likes it and tunes in next week to see him again. Then while they're watching, another part of the show could catch their attention too, such as ECW. More people watching = more potential PPV buys and more people going to the shows.

[King Cucaracha 0]

Maybe someone who got off on the Viscera deal can try and explain how that will translate into selling tickets or PPV buys, which are the bread and butter for WWE, considering that no matter how high their ratings are, they'll never get the ad dollars that are commensurate with those ratings.

It won't and it's not supposed to. When was the last time a midcarder was expected to draw money?

 

Vis is a midcarder and only there to fill up a spot on the show by doing something 'entertaining'. Nobody buys a movie to see a supporting actor, but they might watch said supporting actor on SNL to see what he says. Nobody buys a boxing card for the undercard, but if the undercard guys had a match on free TV, boxing fans would watch. Just because a midcarder does a good rating for being entertaining doesn't mean he's expected to make people buy tickets. They garner a little interest, if you're lucky, which is when you hit them with the stuff you want people to buy. In theory.

 

In 1999, people might have been entertained by Val Venis, but they never bought tickets to see him. They were never supposed to, because Austin was in that role. Guys like Val and to a certain extent D-X were only there to justify unsure people buying a ticket, because they knew they'd at least get some pre-show entertainment before Austin Stunned everyone.

 

 

Besides, I'd bet a smaller percentage of fans buy shows and buy tickets to watch one person now than they did in the 'old days' where you really did care about a Hogan or an Austin. It's the WWE name that draws or doesn't draw mostly, not the workers. So if Vis is entertaining, a WWE guy is entertaining, so maybe that makes the WWE a little more entertaining.

[Sass 0]

iggy's right about the highest rating for a RAW. The Undertaker/Austin title match on 6/28/99 drew the highest rating a RAW match or segment has had with an 8.4 rating.