Wrestlenomics

Wrestlenomics covers the business of pro wrestling. Pollock & Thurston is a weekly podcast hosted by John Pollock of POST Wrestling and Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston. They are often joined by a relevant guest.

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496 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes496

Newest first

May 31, 2020 · 49 min
Rumors of PPV's Death Were Greatly Exaggerated
Coming off news that early estimates for All Elite Wrestling's Double or Nothing pay-per-view may have been among AEW's most-bought PPVs yet, we revisit the strategy behind the WWE Network, as told by former WWE co-president Michelle Wilson. Plus Brandon Thurston talks about the Wrestlenomics formula and talks your questions! Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/wrestlenomics http://twitter.com/BrandonThurston http://wrestlenomics.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
May 23, 2020 · 59 min
COVID-19 Data in Florida and Japan
How safe is it to continue running empty arena wrestling events in the United States and Florida compared to Japan or Tokyo? Brandon Thurston looks at the data around testing, cases, and deaths. What do Google searches tell us about the title reigns of WWE champions and the popularity of WWE from 2004 to the present? The latest on TV viewership, including the success of the Dark Side of the Ring series. For more information visit http://www.wrestlenomics.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
May 16, 2020 · 53 min
How WWE Network has made business harder for others
The latest on the pro-wrestling business during the coronavirus pandemic, discussed by Brandon Thurston. *NJPW President Harold Meij gave a statement about the state of his company. *An update on the ongoing lawsuit between former XFL CEO Oliver Luck and Vince McMahon. *What regular top stars are left for WWE? *Your questions! *And finally why it’s clearer now the WWE Network has made life more difficult for the company and its competitors. Visit us at wrestlenomics.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
May 9, 2020 · 50 min
Coronavirus is a breakpoint for wrestling fandom
It looks like WWE's going to be even more profitable than thought before, according to Brandon Thurston. Also, what's "friction"? What are breakpoints, and why are they important to assessing wrestling's popularity in the midst of the coronavirus crisis? Plus, everyone's favorite topic: is wrestling real or fake? And what are the economic consequences of the wrestling audience's perception thereof? Read Brandon's written analysis at wrestlenomics.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
May 2, 2020 · 33 min
Will Wrestling Viewership Bounce Back?
Brandon Thurston talks over the effect empty building wrestling shows are having TV viewership and whether viewers will bounce back whenever programs can return to arenas. We consider the possibility of WWE selling to a major media company, executive stock sales and the performance of major wrestling companies' YouTube channels. Follow Wrestlenomics at http://twitter.com/wrestlenomics Visit http://wrestlenomics.com for written analysis of wrestling business. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Apr 25, 2020 · 55 min
WWE Q1 2020 Earnings Report
Wrestling business analyst Brandon Thurston breaks down the WWE Q1 2020 earnings call in a level of granularity as only he can. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Apr 18, 2020 · 53 min
Wrestlenomics Radio: WWE releases & XFL shutdown timeline
Brandon Thurston reviews the recent events that led up to WWE's decision to cut costs and lay off or furlough workers, as well as the recent closure and bankruptcy of Vince McMahon's XFL. May 2018: WWE discloses it received a minority stake in Alpha Entertainment related to XFL IP transaction with Alpha. https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/wwe/SEC/sec-show.aspx?FilingId=12727687&Cik=0001091907&Type=PDF&hasPdf=1 Dec 2017, Nov 2018, Mar 2019: Vince McMahon sells a total of $379.7 million in WWE shares, most if not all, to fund the XFL/Alpha Entertainment https://twitter.com/wrestlenomics/status/1250129065052422147 Feb 6: Vince McMahon on Q4 earnings call takes XFL questions https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston/status/1249820096220073985 (AUDIO) March 10: Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System drops lawsuit against WWE https://twitter.com/wrestlenomics/status/1245030531298967552 March 11: NBA suspends season March 12: Smackdown proceeds in the PC with no audience March 12: XFL suspends 2020 regular season March 12: WWE statement on potential impact of COVID19 https://corporate.wwe.com/investors/news/press-releases/2020/03-12-2020-223008742 -WWE withdraws its earlier Q1 guidance, due to COVID19. -WWE acknowledges it may be forced to cancel events, Wrestlemania not mentioned specifically. -WWE doesn’t estimate the potential impact at this time. -WWE has cash & debt capacity of $500 million. "The company had guided 2020 adjusted OIBDA of $250M-$300M and contractual revenue growth of about $185M. For Q1, it had forecast OIBDA of $60M-$65M (a fivefold year-over-year increase)." March 16: Trump issues stay-home guidelines. “Some say July or August”. March 16: WWE announces Wrestlemania will not take place in Tampa, will instead take place at the PC. March 24: Vince McMahon puts 3.5 million of his WWE shares into prepaid forward contract with Morgan Stanley https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/wwe/SEC/sec-show.aspx?FilingId=14033656&Cik=0001091907&Type=PDF&hasPdf=1 March 26: Wrestlemania taping concludes. News breaks Roman Reigns pulls out of Wrestlemania match with Goldberg. March 31: WWE and Sony finalize renewed India TV deal https://corporate.wwe.com/investors/news/press-releases/2020/03-31-2020-080031784 March 31: Fox and FITE announce they’ll offer WWE as a PPV. Fox to broadcast 22 hours of WWE library. April 1: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issues state-wide stay-at-home order https://twitter.com/WFLA/status/1245400616253472771 (AUDIO) April 4: Trump holds call with leaders of sports organizations, including Vince McMahon and Dana White. April 5: WWE sends internal memo from Paul Levesque that a WWE employee had tested positive for COVID-19 Fightful reported and confirmed with WWE on April 11 April 7: WWE announces its Q1 earnings report and conference call will be April 23 after market close. April 9: WWE announces it adjourns annual meeting due to COVID19. April 9: America First Action PAC Announces $26.6M Investment in Battleground States $18.5 million for Florida: $7.2mm in Tampa, $11.3mm in Orlando markets. https://www.a1apac.org/news/america-first-action-pac-announces-26.6m-investment-in-battleground-states/ April 9: Gov. DeSantis amends stay-home order Pro sports were added to a list of essential businesses allowed to stay open in an April 9 memorandum to include “employees at a professional sports and media production with a national audience … only if the location is closed to the general public.” fox6now.com/2020/04/14/florida-stay-at-home-order-amended-pro-wrestling-wwe-deemed-essential/ April 10: XFL lays off most employees, suspends operations. April 10: The Revival are released from WWE. April 10: Vince McMahon decides to return to taping Raw, Smackdown and NXT live every week going forward, beginning with Smackdown on this night. Meltzer reports, “Contracts with both NBC Universal and Fox call for a certain number of shows per year that can be taped. For Raw, that number is three” https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-resume-live-raw-smackdown-nxt-tv-shows-308611 April 13: WWE and Ad Council partner to launch national PSA for COVID-19 prevention. https://community.wwe.com/hope/news/wwe-and-ad-council-partner-launch-national-psas-raise-awareness-during-covid-19-pandemic https://twitter.com/WWECommunity/status/1249713258325520385 (AUDIO) April 13: Alpha Entertainment (XFL parent) files for chapter 11 bankruptcy http://courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.deb.180998/gov.uscourts.deb.180998.1.0.pdf https://twitter.com/wrestlenomics/status/1250112332363112448 https://twitter.com/wrestlenomics/status/1250113644286918664 https://twitter.com/wrestlenomics/status/1250114458774654977 https://twitter.com/wrestlenomics/status/1250107587518853120 Debtor’s list: https://www.scribd.com/document/456411482/XFL-Chapter-11-Certification-of-Debtor-s-List-of-Creditors April 13: Orange County Mayor Jerry Demmings clarifies that WWE has been deemed an essential business by the governor. https://twitter.com/harryaaron/status/1249814965059497992 (AUDIO) April 13: Gov. DeSantis’s press secretary Cody McCloud tells Marc Raimondi that UFC or boxing could be deemed essential. “The memo does not specify specific sports, as long as the event location is closed to the general public.” https://twitter.com/marc_raimondi/status/1249871227000258561 April 14: Gov. DeSantis at press conference on WWE: “There’s no crowd or anything. It’s a very small number of people. https://twitter.com/wrestlenomics/status/1250188085243060225 April 14: Orange County Sheriff says deputies responded to the PC in March and April https://twitter.com/StephanieCNews/status/1250158815594545157 April 15: Vince McMahon’s message to employees https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/exclusives/transcript-vince-mcmahon-s-message-wwe-employees-ahead-cuts April 15: Gov. DeSantis dismissed notions that politics played a role in decision to amend executive order https://twitter.com/NewsGuyGreg/status/1250540257684193280 (AUDIO) Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Apr 11, 2020 · 38 min
Wrestlenomics Radio: The end of XFL 2.0, Wrestlemania Reception
Vince McMahon's latest endeavor into professional football seems to have come to an end after most XFL employees were laid off this morning. Does WWE's "cinematic" approach demonstrated at Wrestlemania have an economic relevance? What does it mean for the development of new stars? Follow Wrestlenomics at twitter.com/wrestlenomics Visit the website at wrestlenomics.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Apr 4, 2020 · 51 min
Wrestlenomics 101: COVID19 can't stop WWE profitability, Cena on star development
Brandon Thurston talks about these subjects: -Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs on his governor's stay-home order -Predictions on how long it'll be before wrestling events will go back to normal -WWE will remain profitable despite COVID19 restrictions -WWE and AEW TV rights aren’t at risk -Wrestlemania offered as a $60 PPV on streaming platforms -Wrestlenomics dubstep math: Showing how venue merchandise likely doesn't compensate for WWE house show losses -Q1 2020 viewership trends, top quarter-hours for NXT and AEW -“XFL Lawsuit” dismissed -WWE's India TV deal finalized -John Cena on whether it's possible for WWE to develop another major star Follow Wrestlenomics at twitter.com/wrestlenomics Visit the leading source for wrestling business analysis: wrestlenomics.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Mar 28, 2020 · 33 min
Wrestlenomics Radio: 100th Episode, Investors' Understanding of WWE
As we remain quarantined at home, the wrestling business continues on. Brandon Thurston talks about these topics: -COVID19 risks, Roman Reigns pulls out of Wrestlemania match -Vince McMahon enters into stock sale agreement with Morgan Stanley -Is WWE’s PPV rights deal dead? -WWE COVID19 risk model -Paul Levesque’s new corporate title -How do investors and analysts think about WWE’s business? Visit the newly revamped wrestlenomics.com for data sources and blog posts. Follow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: twitter.com/wrestlenomics Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Mar 21, 2020 · 47 min
Wrestlenomics Radio: Highest Attendances and Live Gates in Wrestling History
*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 Facebook: http://facebook.com/wrestlenomics Twitter: http://twitter.com/wrestlenomics Instagram: http://instagram.com/wrestlenomics Website: http://wrestlenomics.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Mar 14, 2020 · 36 min
Wrestlenomics Radio: How much will COVID-19 cost WWE?
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. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Mar 10, 2020 · 41 min
How and Why WWE's Popularity Declined
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. Follow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: twitter.com/wrestlenomics Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Feb 9, 2020 · 40 min
Wrestlenomics Radio: Streaming possibilities for WWE PPVs
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? Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Feb 7, 2020 · 19 min
WWE Q4 2019 report: PPVs moving to major streaming service?
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. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jan 31, 2020 · 1 hr 10 min
George Barrios and Michelle Wilson out as WWE Co-Presidents
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 https://wrestlenomics.com https://twitter.com/wrestlenomics Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Nov 1, 2019 · 1 hr 14 min
Wrestlenomics Radio: WWE Q3 2019 Earnings Report
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. Website: wrestlenomics.com Twitter: twitter.com/wrestlenomics Instagram: instagram.com/wrestlenomics Facebook: facebook.com/wrestlenomics YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCD_WfonwdEwz91hcv3Mhsog Reddit: reddit.com/r/wrestlenomics/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Sep 20, 2019 · 1 hr 21 min
Wrestlenomics Radio: NXT debuts on USA Network, Anthem acquires AXS TV
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 Twitter: twitter.com/wrestlenomics Instagram: instagram.com/wrestlenomics Facebook: facebook.com/wrestlenomics YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCD_WfonwdEwz91hcv3Mhsog Reddit: reddit.com/r/wrestlenomics/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Aug 21, 2019 · 47 min
91: Wrestlenomics Radio: NXT moves to USA Network, going head-to-head with AEW on cable
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 Instagram: instagram.com/wrestlenomics Facebook: facebook.com/wrestlenomics YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCD_WfonwdEwz91hcv3Mhsog Reddit: reddit.com/r/wrestlenomics/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jul 27, 2019 · 2 hr 7 min
90: Wrestlenomics Radio: WWE Q2 2019 earnings report
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 Instagram: instagram.com/wrestlenomics Facebook: facebook.com/wrestlenomics YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCD_WfonwdEwz91hcv3Mhsog Reddit: reddit.com/r/wrestlenomics/ Brandon's Twitter: twitter.com/brandonthurston Brandon's Instagram: instagram.com/farmer_thurston Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy