Why start finals at 184?

[BarSeries]

 

[headshuck]

I agree with 184 being the premier match, but you have to admit Gable Steveson is a much more recognized name among the general sports fan.

[boconnell]

35 minutes ago, WrestlingRasta said:

I get the reasoning.  Especially from the side of grabbing the not so regular fan.  I’m sure many wouldn’t plan on watching the whole thing, just plan on tuning in around the end.  Some of them then forget and never turn it on.  
 

However, having a set time when you know when that match is going to take place….and then possibly getting some hooked….some of those who may have never ended up tuning in, now become those who never turned it off. 

I think everything about ESPN's wrestling coverage is aimed at grabbing the so called regular fan.  They have Rock Harrison explain rules like viewers have never seen the sport.  It would be like explaining what the line of scrimmage is in an NFL game.  

I am guessing 95% of NCAA wrestling viewers are hardcore wrestling fans.  But they aim it at bringing in the 5% who are not.  It's dumb.

[WrestlingRasta]

Growing by 5% year over year is dumb? Their methods probably haven’t had anything to do with the increase in amount and ease of which we have been able to view this tournament over the last ten years. Probably hasn’t increased viewership of this tournament either.  
 

I wonder why they have people whom they pay, because they are educated and experienced in doing this kind of thing, to do this kind of thing.  And then we have people like us talking about them on anonymous message boards.  

Edited yesterday at 08:19 PM by WrestlingRasta

[Kov88]

Should just start at 125 so that 184 and HWT are two of the three last matches 

[WrestlingRasta]

Next year, fan poll. 12 hours after the last semi final the fans vote for the top three matches.  Rank them in a 3-2-1 score and that sets your order for the finals.Weight class order has nothing to do with it. 
 

???

[BarSeries]

2 minutes ago, WrestlingRasta said:

Next year, fan poll. 12 hours after the last semi final the fans vote for the top three matches.  Rank them in a 3-2-1 score and that sets your order for the finals.Weight class order has nothing to do with it. 
 

???

Should just have the fan poll rank them all and just do them in that order. 

[WrestlingRasta]

I was Babysteppin 

[RockLobster]

So... let the internet decide - simple. What could possibly go wrong? 

[WrestleFan12]

184 is the most anticipated bout, but probably not the best one for the casual viewer. This could be a 2-0 match, or a similar low-scoring affair that lacks any firepower. I doubt the average sports fan will get hooked on wrestling from watching this bout.

Edited yesterday at 08:58 PM by WrestleFan12

[Richferg]

Tell me know one can see 184 being decided by a riding time decision in OT. That will really draw in the casual fan, not to mention some derisive comment by 47. 

[4awrestler]

Watch the 184 match have a 3 minute review and really take the wind out of their sails


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[Eagle26]

I swear wrestling fans will complain about anything. Who gives a sh!t… we are all going to watch them all anyway! They can start the broadcast hyping Starocci’s attempt at 5x and then end with the biggest name in the sport. Makes sense to me, but I could care less what order they are in. It’s all about catering to the casual fan at this point. 

[4awrestler]

I think most people just don’t like the change and would rather keep it in the regular order of matches. I would like to see the numbers of increasing viewership by trying to cater to the casual fan. IMO catering to the casual fan instead of making it better for the diehards that are going to watch no matter what makes a better product. I think it’s a fallacy to think they’re pulling in new viewership from say the March Madness crowd.


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[RockLobster]

30 minutes ago, 4awrestler said:

I think it’s a fallacy to think they’re pulling in new viewership from say the March Madness crowd.

So far, I haven't seen anyone who thinks the point is to pull in the March Madness crowd (except you - no offense.)

I would imagine there are a number of groups who could potentially be swayed:

• "High-school-only" wrestling fans - a LOT of these out there
• "Freestyle-only" wrestling fans (particularly those not in the US - who aren't familiar with folk style)
• MMA/combat sports fans
• Slap Fighting fans
• Gamblers looking for more sports to bet on.
• Cornhole tournament fans, etc... some will watch just about anything on ESPN

ESPN guys are the ones making some ~$3 Billion/year in profit from some ~$16 Billion in revenue. I bet they know a lot about how to sell sporting events. Probably quite a lot more than your average college wrestling fan.

Then again, there are always going to be some who think experts are all incompetent and that decisions should be made by those with no specific knowledge or experience (ex: decide by internet vote.) Can't change stupid.

Edited 23 hours ago by RockLobster

[pawrestler]

[MidniteToka]

9 minutes ago, RockLobster said:

Then again, there are always going to be some who think experts are all incompetent and that decisions should be made by those with no specific knowledge or experience (ex: decide by internet vote.) Can't change stupid.

I've been on both sides of this.  The expert who has to listen to idiots, and the idiot that thinks he knows more than the experts.   Sometimes I don't even know which I am.