As UFC fans know, it is heavily promoting UFC 121’s Brock Lesnar’s match against Cain Velasquez with television programming-directed to Lesnarand proclaiming the month of October as “Brocktober”. Someone did not tell the WWE (or they did) as WWE Classics On Demand is promoting classic Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson matches and calling this month “Rocktober” – an obvious nod, or perhaps “People’s Eyebrow” at the UFC.
SpikeTV will carry a special three part series focusing on Lesnar and Velasquez in leading up to the October 23 Showdown. This programming is in addition to new episodes of the The Ultimate Fighter and UFC 120 on October 16. Additionally, UFC Unleashed will feature Brock Lesnar matchups.
The WWE is running commercials on its weekly shows promoting its On Demand classic channel featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson matches and interviews.
Payout Perspective:
Although many WWE fans are UFC fans, the WWE does a great job in picking up on obvious trends in promoting its product. Recognizing that Lesnar, a former WWE star, is fighting this month, they are promoting one of its past superstars in its On Demand programming. Ironically, The Rock was present at UFC 119 (H/T Cagewriter). Johnson, along with Steve Austin and Paul Heyman were notable attendees in support of Brock at Lesnar’s last matchup in July. Call it counterprogramming, but the WWE is picking up on the Brocktober promotion and using it to its advantage.
SpikeTV is loading up on UFC content this fall. If you include WEC 51, Zuffa will run 4 live events within 30 days.
With the Brocktober promotion, the UFC is banking on the appeal of Lesnar and hope that the run up on SpikeTV to UFC 121 will increase ticket sales and PPV buys.
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The WWF has been using “Rocktober” since at least 1000.