At least as far as ratings go, it will be called a success and the most watched MMA show of all time. Here’s the latest report from Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer:
“Elite XC a huge success
The show did a 2.7 rating in prime time based on the fast nationals. The final rating will be higher because that number only counts 9-11 p.m. The peak half hour was a 4.7 for Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson and that was after 11 p.m. and will blow away all marks for the most-watched MMA match in history. Nothing but Saturday Night Live ever does post 11 p.m. numbers like that.
Full ratings will be out on Tuesday but it’s likely to be in the 3.0 to 3.3 range depending on what the 11-11:30 p.m. half hour did.
The overall number isn’t necessary through the roof, but is a definite success. The growth from start-to-finish was the real story. It was No. 1 for the night in 18-34 and 18-49 as well as all male demos. ”
A very interesting note though is that the second scheduled Elite XC show that was to be in July has been cancelled. Apparantly they have just realized they don’t yet have the talent pool to put an event together that soon. Why they just now figured that out makes no sense to me but here’s what The Wrestling Observer had to say about the cancellation of the scheduled event:
” –The original plan for a second CBS show on 7/26 appears to be off. There was a realization they simply don’t have the star power to come back that fast. It really is a major key for this group’s success, provided ratings come in at least decently for this first show, to sign Tito Ortiz, particularly after Kimbo Slice’s value fell so greatly“