WCW 2001: From the Ashes

[CrossroadsReb]

WCW vs WWF

Show Rating: Nitro 90, Raw 79

TV Rating: Raw 2.94, Nitro 2.19

Main Event: Nitro 92, Raw 80

Raw Main Event: Warrior def. Triple H for the Intercontinental title and begins his third reign as champion

Part of Raw’s lower rating can be attributed to it being held in Puerto Rico. Still, a big night for WCW as we try to stay respectable going into the last month of 2001 and heading into 2002 with some new faces on the horizon. With the end of November comes the month in review with the most important show in years in Starrcade 2001 around the corner.

[CrossroadsReb]

End of month review, November 2001, Part 1

Finances
Cash at end of Nov 2001…$3,249,891
Cash at end of Oct…$2,632,722
Increase of $617,169

Although we were in the Southeast for most of the month of November, there was still an increase in ticket sales by just over $7,000 to $888,798. Our merchandise sales increased to $1,357,805 in November, a $151,000 increase, which helped offset our PPV revenue decrease of $160,000. In addition, the $120,000 we were paying monthly to show Nitro on ESPN2 through the end of October is now gone.

With our shows back in our home region of the Southwest, I look for December to be our best month financially since the reboot with Starrcade 2001 likely to be the most important WCW PPV in years.


Popularity
Southwest 71…previous 70

Southeast 69…previous 67

Great Lakes, Mid Atlantic, Mid South, and Tri-State 61…previous 59

Midwest, New England, Northwest 60…previous 58

Puerto Rico 57…previous 56

Hawaii 55…previous 54


Figurehead
I have named Goldberg as the figurehead of WCW. It will take a few months to fully establish himself in the role. The figurehead is seen as the face of the company. He also has all the essential ingredients that a successful company figurehead would require and isn’t in danger of being overshadowed by anyone else.

[CrossroadsReb]

Roster Perceptions
Major Stars
Booker T
Diamond Dallas Page
Goldberg
Kevin Nash
Ric Flair
Rob Van Dam
Scott Steiner
Sting
Movers: None

Stars
Dustin Rhodes
Lance Storm
Mike Awesome
Rey Mysterio Jr
Sean O’Haire
Movers: Jeff Jarrett, The Total Package (out)

Well Known
Buff Bagwell
Chavo Guerrero Jr
Chuck Palumbo
Ernest Miller
Kanyon
Konnan
Rick Steiner
Shane Douglas
The Total Package
Vampiro
Movers: Jeff Jarrett, The Package, Chavo Guerrero (in); Bam Bam Bigelow, Billy Kidman (out)

Recognizable
Alex Wright
Bam Bam Bigelow
Billy Kidman
Hugh Morrus
Kaz Hayashi
Mark Jindrak
Mike Sanders
Norman Smiley
Shane Helms
Shawn Stasiak
Movers: Bam Bam Bigelow, Billy Kidman (in)

Unimportant
Air Paris
Big Vito
Chris Harris
Elix Skipper
Evan Karagias
James Storm
Jamie Knoble
Jason Jett
Johnny Swinger
Johnny the Bull
Kwee Wee
Lash Leroux
Reno
Shannon Moore
The Sandman
Yang
Movers: None



WCW Title Roll Call

WCW World Heavyweight – Sting, 7X champion, held since Week 1, Nov 2001
85 prestige (no change), #41 in world singles prestige (-3 in November)

WCW World Tag Team – Team Canada, 2x champion, held since Week 4, September 2001
69 prestige (no change), #15 in world tag prestige (+3 in November)

WCW United States – Booker T, 2x champion, held since Week 4, October 2001
68 prestige (no change), #99 in world singles (+4 in November)

WCW Cruiserweight – Billy Kidman, 4x champion, won Week 4, September 2001
44 prestige (no change), #134 in world singles prestige (no change in November)

WCW World Television – Vampiro, 1X champion, won Week 1, November 2001
32 prestige (+2 in November), #160 in world singles prestige (+1 in November)