This is a very interesting information posted by Dave Meltzer from the observer newsletter on who are the superstars that draws ratings and who don't.It covers a four month period from May through 10/6.
The first number is the total number of viewers gained or lost during the 4 months of the study, and the second number is the average per segment.
Smackdown Characters
Kurt Angle +6,032,000 +402,130
A-Train +350,000 +70,000
Basham Brothers +439,000 +43,900
Shelton Benjamin +3,350,000 +304,545
Chris Benoit +3,425,000 +311,360
John Cena +322,000 +22,130
FBI -188,000 -29,500
Zach Gowen +7,269,000 +484,600
Eddy Guerrero +4,966,000 +310,375
Billy Gunn +1,676,000 +279,330
Charlie Haas +4,787,000 +299,190
Matt Hardy +243,000 +20,250
Hulk Hogan +3,746,000 +468,250
Brock Lesnar +5,879,000 +326,610
Stephanie McMahon +6,201,000 +620,100
Vince McMahon +11,263,000 +625,720
Shannon Moore -250,000 -50,000
Rey Misterio +1,106,000 +100,550
Nidia -444,000 -111,000
Jamie Noble +65,000 +8,130
Rhyno +1,181,000 +131,220
Rikishi -443,000 -110,750
Big Show +3,895,000 +299,620
Spanky +51,000 +12,750
Tajiri +1,166,000 +89,690
Undertaker +2,265,000 +226,500
Torrie Wilson -284,000 -56,800
Raw Characters
Steve Austin +6,873,000 +429,560
Eric Bischoff +2,671,000 +381,570
Garrison Cade -163,000 -27,170
Christian +2,245,000 +132,060
Dudleys -412,000 -37,450
Spike Dudley -707,000 -117,830
Ric Flair +5,078,000 +282,110
Mick Foley +2,870,000 +574,000
Bill Goldberg +6,833,000 +427,060
HHH +6,944,000 +408,470
Molly Holly +46,000 +5,110
Hurricane -900,000 -69,230
Chris Jericho +7,071,000 +261,890
Mark Jindrak -1,091,000 -181,830
Kane +3,774,000 +251,600
Gail Kim +1,413,000 +235,500
Rodney Mack -1,983,000 -180,270
Maven -1,029,000 -114,330
Shawn Michaels +2,396,000 +266,220
Kevin Nash +1,575,000 +143,180
Randy Orton +1,413,000 +88,310
La Resistance -745,000 -41,390
Rosey -1,092,000 -156,000
Scott Steiner +306,000 +30,600
Lance Storm +413,000 +41,300
Trish Stratus -965,000 -96,500
Booker T -424,000 -70,670
Test -1,174,000 -117,400
Rob Van Dam +747,000 +53,360
Some Comments from the Article:
-based on total viewers gained or lost during a segment when these characters were either in the ring having a match or were the lead portion of angles (for example, Sable was standing next to Vince most of the time, but isn't being considered for the angles where she was window dressing).
-As a general rule, these numbers are going to reflect who is focused on and who is put in the main storylines. When the show is built around the McMahons, or on Raw, Austin, they are going to have the best numbers. When guys are buried and booked for people not to care, the casual fans, who make up the bulk of the audience, won't care.
-Smackdown numbers shouldn't be compared to Raw's. Because Smackdown is available in about 95.6 million homes while Raw is in 86.6. To fairly compare, approx. 10% should be added to Raw numbers (this should end one debate)
-A main event performer should have an average of about +260,000 on Raw and +290,000 on Smackdown which would equal approx 0.2 rating points. A number above +400,000 on Raw and +440,000 on Smackdown should be considered a major ratings draw.
-Big Show's numbers are inflated because he was booked in the main event almost every week, and the main event should show the most growth.
-Benoit's and Guerrero's are suprisingly high considering their booking treatment.
-Undertaker, who's been positioned as a major player most of this time, show's his superstar "pops" aren't equally ratings, nor are John Cena's raps aimed at the teenage audience.
-Tori Wilson's numbers are suprisingly bad considering the Playboy exposure, but she burned out pretty quickly.
That's about all for now, that should give us all plenty to debate and chew on for a while.
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