MMA Universe

The season finale of WWE’s Tough Enough scored 2.86 million viewers according to Television By Numbers. It received a 1.0 rating for Adults 18-49.

In the end, TE contestant Andy ousted the more polished Luke to win the TE contract. The ending was drawn out way too much as it segued into WWE’s Raw.

Episode 1 – 3.33 million viewers
Episode 2 – 2.785
Episode 3 – 2.196
Episode 4 – 2.452
Episode 5 – 2.438
Episode 6 – 2.471
Episode 7 – 2.112
Episode 8 – 2.562
Episode 9 – 2.437
Episode 10 – 2.860

Payout Perspective:

Solid ratings for the rebirth of the reality series. The last episode was the second highest of the season although it went up against the Stanley Cup Final. Of course, the Stanley Cup was shown on Versus and not on NBC. Still, very good ratings.

Television By Numbers reports that the penultimate episode of WWE’s Tough Enough received 2.437 million viewers for and a 1.0 rating in the A18-49 demographic. This is a slight decrease from last week’s 2.5 million.

The contestants were finally widdled down to two with the ex-MMA fighter and TUF contestant Jeremiah Riggs being the last one to be eliminated. Riggs lost an elimination bout during the Rampage-Griffin season.

Payout Perspective:

Episode 1 – 3.33 million viewers
Episode 2 – 2.785
Episode 3 – 2.196
Episode 4 – 2.452
Episode 5 – 2.438
Episode 6 – 2.471
Episode 7 – 2.112
Episode 8 – 2.562

Episode 9 – 2.437

Interesting to see the downturn in Monday’s ratings. Of course, it was Memorial Day so many viewers may have been returning from a long holiday weekend and missed this episode. The last episode will run opposite the Stanley Cup Final Monday so we may not get a strong finish to a solid season.

Last week’s episode of Tough Enough drew 2.562 million viewers according to Television by Numbers. Once again it drew a 0.9 rating for adults 18-49.

The Rock made a guest appearance on last week’s show adding some spark heading into this week’s finale.

Payout Perspective:

The series has consistently drawn solid ratings since its debut the day after Wrestlemania.  The ratings have remained solid despite competition this spring from the NBA and NHL.

Episode 1 – 3.33 million viewers
Episode 2 – 2.785
Episode 3 – 2.196
Episode 4 – 2.452
Episode 5 – 2.438
Episode 6 – 2.471
Episode 7 – 2.112
Episode 8 – 2.562

(via Television By Numbers)

The reincarnated series is sure to be picked up again for a second season. Its a good complement to WWE’s Raw and seems to fit in with the company’s new business strategy. It would also be a good fit for the possibility of a WWE network in the future.

This week’s episode of WWE’s Tough Enough scored 2.4 million viewers with a 1.6 rating according to Television By Numbers and the Wrestling Observer (subscription required).

Unlike TUF, TE receives consistent help from Monday Night Raw. While Raw’s ratings were down this past week, it still was this week’s highest rated cable show on Monday night. On the other hand, TUF had Coal and Repo Games as its Wednesday night partner.

For the May 10th edition of TE, it received 2.471 million viewers and similar ratings in the key demos according to Television By Numbers.

On another note, Randy “Macho Man” Savage passed away today. It was very surprising to see how many athletes on twitter (wrestlers, MMA fighters, basketball players, football players, etc.) expressed their condolences for Savage. As MMA Supremacy pointed out, Savage and Hulk Hogan had a big impact on pop culture and society in the 1980s and 1990s. It will be interesting to see if the UFC can be that sport where its fighters such as GSP and Anderson Silva will be influencers on pop culture and society.

According to Television by Numbers, WWE’s Tough Enough for this week received 2.438 million viewers for a 1.73 rating. The replay after RAW, which featured The Rock, received another 1,394,000 and a 0.93 rating.

The April 25^th episode of WWE’s Tough Enough received an average of 2.452 million viewers and a 0.9 rating.

In the April 25^th episode, Miss USA was finally dismissed from the show by Stone Cold Steve Austin. The departure was amicable seeing that the WWE could bring her back on a WWE show to gain some crossover exposure.

This week’s episode featured John Salley and it appears that the women contestants are feeling the physical toll training is having on their bodies.

Payout Perspective:

USA Network appears to be happy with TE and it appears that the network will give it another season. Unlike TUF, the show has a good mix of non-wrestling challenges to make the casual reality show viewer want to watch. The WWE personalities also cover for the lack of persona from the contestants.

Television by Numbers reports that this past week’s episode of WWE’s Tough Enough received an average of 2.196 million viewers and a 0.8 rating for the 18-49 adult demographic.

 

The reality show starring Stone Cold Steve Austin was down from last week with an overall 1.53 rating. The replay following Monday Night Raw did an additional 1.16 rating with over 1.5 million viewers (H/t PWInsider.com)

 

Payout Perspective:

We have discussed the fact that Tough Enough is beating TUF in the ratings battle but TE does have one of cable’s top shows, Monday Night Raw, as an anchor. Also, it’s obvious that TE can script the course of the show whereas TUF cannot. TUF cannot control who wins and loses during the fights and created the “wildcard” fighter as a way to combat any upsets. TUF will have to continue to tweak the concept in future seasons to try and keep TUF fresh for viewers.

Television by Numbers reports WWE’s reality series Tough Enough ratings grabbed 2.785 million viewers. The numbers show a decrease from last week’s debut.

Tough Enough scored a rating 0f .9 for adults 18-49.

In this week’s episode, Stone Cold Steve Austin eliminated indy wrestler Matt (aka M-Dogg 20 of CZW fame) for not having charisma and lack of wrestling ability (check you tube to see some of his moves). Its apparent that Miss USA will be one of the last competitors on the show to maintain ratings. So, yes, perhaps pro wrestling is fixed.  It was also interesting that Austin started to use the nickname “MMA” for former mixed martial artist Jeremiah Riggs.

Bloody Elbow argues what makes TE better than TUF is Steve Austin:

One of the main reasons for this is Austin himself. As someone who grew up watching during the peak of the “Austin Era,” he has been and always will be one of my favorites. Maybe that has something to do with my love for Tough Enough. At the same time, though, I’m also a big fan of Lesnar’s antics and it just hasn’t translated like I thought it would. One of the best things about Tough Enough is the final 10 minutes of each show where Austin corrals the bottom three contestants in the ring and eliminates one of them, but not before grilling them with questions.

Payout Perspective:

TUF isn’t the only reality show that is experiencing down ratings. The strong numbers for the season premiere of TE were aided by Monday Night Raw and the momentum of Wrestlemania. Still, TE attracts more viewers than TUF. This week, we’ll see what UFC Primetime will do to assist, if anything, TUF ratings.