I haven’t written a Jay Cal’s View in quite some time. It isn’t because I’ve lost a passion for wrestling or anything like that, but with a new baby and my other responsibilities I just haven’t had the time. But I felt the need to chime in on something I read on facebook the other day, because it quite literally had me shaking my head. First off, is Facebook the 2013 version of a message board? SCU had most of those facebook features back in 2004. With more and more promoters posting event info on-line, it has become a valuable resource in getting a lot of the information on SCU in one place. One thing I recently read was with regards to Sunday’s Championship Wrestling from Hollywood’s “Night of Confrontation.” Ticket prices were set at $25 For Ringside Tickets and $15 for General Admission. One would be attendee posted that he thought the prices were “outrageous” and that “he’d skip this event.” Are you kidding me?
For the past few years CWFH has been producing their television tapings at the Glendale Studios free of charge, they offered special VIP Tickets which essentially just guaranteed your seat, some fans had been turned away for the free event. Last month was the first time the CWFH group had left the confines of their comfy studio arena and went on the road. The “Red Carpet Rumble” at the Anaheim Business Expo did very well, almost a full house. When speaking to David Marquez he expressed it was the fans who demanded access to front row tickets. “You guys wanted this. Our seats have always been first come first serve, but I was approached by a handful of fans in Anaheim about being able to purchase front row tickets at our future events.”
Are $15 Tickets outrageous for independent wrestling? I did some investigation of all ticket prices reported for the month of May on SoCalUNCENSORED.com and on average the ticket prices over 28 events was $11.79, round it up to 12 Bucks. That doesn’t include PWG ticket prices because they didn’t run in May. There are 4 wrestling promotion that charge $15 for their events in May; AWS, SoCal Pro, Mach-1, and CWF Hollywood. In the month of June there are 8 shows that will be running where the general admission ticket is $15 or more. Premium priced tickets for ringside seats are pretty common in many facets of entertainment. Concerts and sporting events always charge you more to site closer. Why should wrestling be any different? I think it’s laughable when promotions are given a hard time for charging reasonable prices for tickets and fans want “premium” talent.
We could continue further that the television taping is also a four hour event as opposed to most shows that last two to two and a half hours. Technically your $15 does stretch a bit further for your entertainment value. Regardless, if the tickets are too high priced for you, I guess there is always television or internet. Pro Wrestling has always been a “For Profit” business.
Regardless of which promotion you enjoy the most, just make sure you support Independent Wrestling.
Championship Wrestling from Hollywood takes place at the 61631 E. Telegraph Road, Commerce, CA. 90040. Tickets day of are a subject to Commerce Casino Surcharges, buy your pre-sale tickets at www.hollywoodwrestling.com