WWE scrapping the Survivor Series?

[Hammy]

Vince McMahon stated during this morning’s WWE conference call that the WWE Survivor Series title is “obsolete.” He added that the title has “outlasted its usage” and that they do not intend on using the name going forward.

While WWE’s new gimmick-themed pay-per-view events out-performed their 2008 counterparts, last year’s Survivor Series took a sharp hit as the show drew 235,000 buys, down 26% from 2008 (319,000).

Say it isn't so, the concept and event is an all time fave of mine.

[EricxGNRxSTARx]

Maybe Royal Rumble will be next. I see Vince's point, buy rates were WAY down for SS this year. The younger fans don't care about the Hulkamaniacs VS. Money Inc from 20 years ago and those that do can buy the events on DVD. I guess we are now down to the BIG 3. Obviously Mania is safe but who knows about RR and Summerslam going forward.

[Izzy]

Of course, it's the names that have cost these buy rates!

Thank god it's not the quality - cos ya know, then we might have to actually do something...

[James Lofton]

The Survivor Series is one of the federation's greatest concepts, and was invented to compete against NWA's Starrcade.  Mcmahon is right though. Its past its expiration date. In an era of 90 minute skits during 120 minute programs, the event is most certainly "obsolete".

[Hammy]

The endless skits are on the tv programs though not the PPVs.

[James Lofton]

The endless skits are on the tv programs though not the PPVs.

The skits are the commercials for the PPVs. The Survivor Series never had to rely on that ****. It was more like a "stand alone" event. In 2010, how do you promote an event like that without 90 minutes of skits each week? You cant, which is why Mcmahon realizes its past its expiration date.

[AtariLegend]

Say it isn't so, the concept and event is an all time fave of mine.

Agreed, it's also one of the best PPV's each year by default.

I think the explantion of why it did so badly commercially includes, Micheals and Triple H suggesting on TV that they didn't really care about their match with Cena.

I think getting rid of "King Of The Ring" was a mistake also.

[Izzy]

I don't like Survivor Series - never seemed to be anything on the line, contrived teams join together for one night for pride alone seemed pointless

good riddance!

[Hammy]

Say it isn't so, the concept and event is an all time fave of mine.

Agreed, it's also one of the best PPV's each year by default.

I think the explantion of why it did so badly commercially includes, Micheals and Triple H suggesting on TV that they didn't really care about their match with Cena.

I think getting rid of "King Of The Ring" was a mistake also.

True, and both events were (are) great for getting over/elevating new talent.  The format of Survior Series utilies that great against all odds aspect which can get over a guy previously seen as a midcard talent, with their tema 3 or 4 to 1 down, they can pull off the big upset (miracle) and survive, and look like a million dollars.  You need to look no further than Kofi Kingston at the last one, him surviving like that did him the world of good and nearly put him in the Main Event scene, ultimately he came crashing down a month later, but they booked him to look like crap.  I always enjoyed as a kid guessing who might survive and thinking of all the cool "fantasy" SS teams you could have.  One of my all time faves was the Wildcard match in '95, with 2 random teams mixed of faces and heels, great dynamic and a really fun match.

[nightrain]

WWE bigwig Vince McMahon has scrapped the Survivor Series.

The annual Pay Per View, first held in 1987, is one of the original 'Big Four' shows along with Wrestlemania, Royal Rumble and Summerslam.

But McMahon, chairman of the WWE board, said: "We think Survivor Series is obsolete. It worked many, many years ago but it's outlasted its usage.

"It's one of the PPVs we will be looking at in terms of rebranding. We will no longer have that title any more."

It may be that this is simply a name change — and the WWE will continue to promote the elimination matches that have been a staple of the Survivor Series under a different banner.

Their next PPV is called Elimination Chamber but, for several years, has been entitled No Way Out. The format has not changed, just the title.

It is notable that the back end of 2009 featured many Pay Per Views such as Bragging Rights and Hell in a Cell which were newly rebranded — and each saw a rise in PPV buys compared to the previous year.

Survivor Series, meanwhile, was down by over a quarter.

Over the years, the Survivor Series has featured many iconic moments in wrestling history, the most notable being the infamous 'Montreal Screwjob' involving Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels.

And who can forget the Undertaker's debut (and of course the Gobbledy Gooker) in 1990, Mr Perfect's return to the ring in 1992 or Big Show's world title win in 1999?

But the Survivor Series is no more, although what replaces it remains to be seen.

The Wrestling Observer reports that WWE are considering a host of options including a Legends PPV, featuring the Draft on PPV and even WCW's War Games concept.

Whatever the name or theme of the PPV come November, the memories of the Series will always Survive.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/2851559/WWE-boss-Vince-McMahon-has-axed-the-annual-Survivor-Series-PPV.html#ixzz0fLBmiWRw