[Hazaq]

Nope.

Where is this from? source? Year 96 was Shawn's year on top not bret.

 

[raheel1]

http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/96.htm

 

[FrayedEndsOfSanity]

He was ridiculously over in India that much I know. Went to India in 1996 and I saw at least 8-10 kids during my trip wearing some kind of Bret Hart merchandise. My cousins there were massive fans too.

 

[king_lennox]

easily

 

[Ph3n0m]

Bret was huge in places like Europe, but I don't know if it makes him the biggest international star ever though.

To make such a claim you'd need to do your research on other huge stars as well as for Bret.

For example, I don't know how many World tours Austin participated on during his height of fame - but I'm fairly sure if he travelled as much as Bret he'd have drawn great crowds the World over in '98/'99.

 

[ratedR3:16]

with out a doubt

 

[raheel1]

Bret was huge in places like Europe, but I don't know if it makes him the biggest international star ever though.

To make such a claim you'd need to do your research on other huge stars as well as for Bret.

For example, I don't know how many World tours Austin participated on during his height of fame - but I'm fairly sure if he travelled as much as Bret he'd have drawn great crowds the World over in '98/'99.

During the Attitude Era WWe did Tour The Uk.But they Didnt need to tour outside US because they were already doing great Domestic Business.WWF Went on world tours from 92-96 was because thier domestic numbers were Not impressive.

 

[hardcore1982]

How was it with Hogan back in the 80`s and 90's?
I remember him being big here in Germany and many fans started to watch WCW when Hogan joined WCW.
Before we were not able to see WCW in Germany after Hogan joined it was broadcast regulary here.
Serious question, since I am not much into the exact amounts of drawing power.

EDIT: and yes Bret was pretty big here too. He was unbelievable popular here, even got awards in teen magazines which were usually about hollywood and rockstars.

 

[Boywonder22]

Bret was huge in places like Europe, but I don't know if it makes him the biggest international star ever though.

To make such a claim you'd need to do your research on other huge stars as well as for Bret.

For example, I don't know how many World tours Austin participated on during his height of fame - but I'm fairly sure if he travelled as much as Bret he'd have drawn great crowds the World over in '98/'99.

Austin Drew than Bret Internationaly Than Bret hart.

Mayhem in Manchester - Manchester, England - Nynex Arena - April 4, 1998 (18,514; sell out)
WWF @ Obenhausen, Germany - Arena - April 5, 1998
WWF @ Berlin, Germany - Deutschlandhalle - April 6, 1998 (8,000)
WWF @ Beyereuth, Germany - Oberfrankenhalle - April 7, 1998(12,000)
WWF @ Hamburg, Germany - Sporthalle - April 8, 1998
WWF @ Vancouver, British Columbia - GM Place - July 4, 1998 (12,746)
WWF @ Toronto, Ontario - Skydome - August 1, 1998 (14,688)
WWF @ Montreal, Quebec - Molson Centre - August 2, 1998 (11,209)
WWF @ Calgary, Alberta - Saddledome - September 11, 1998 (14,017)
WWF @ Toronto, Ontario - Skydome - February 8, 1999 (41,432; 38,661 paid)

WWF @ Oberhausen, Germany - Arena - April 1, 1999 (7,048)
WWF @ Sheffield, England - Arena - April 2, 1999 (12,744; sell out)
WWF @ Newcastle, England - Telewest Arena - April 3, 1999 (10,699; sell out)
WWF @ Birmingham, England - NEC Arena - April 4, 1999 (12,236; sell out)

WWF @ Vancouver, British Columbia - GM Place - April 16, 1999 (14,599)
WWF @ Calgary, Alberta - Saddledome - April 17, 1999 (15,419; sell out)
WWF @ Edmonton, Alberta - Skyreach Centre - April 18, 1999 (16,874; sell out)

WWF @ Toronto, Ontario - Skydome - April 23, 1999 (17,402)
WWF @ Toronto, Ontario - Skydome - July 24, 1999 (15,220)

Bret drew 3000-4000 Per average Austin drew Much More.
http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/99.htm

 

[Hazaq]

http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/96.htm

Check again. Most of the germany shows was headlined by shawn. But neither of them were internationally that big. But Bret in his prime was little bit more popular and drew more than shawn.

 

[jj87uk]

I always thought it was Andre

 

[nmadankumar]

Nope.

Where is this from? source? Year 96 was Shawn's year on top not bret.

Not on international circuit, bret beats shawn hands down outside US.

 

[dave 1981]

Back in latter 1992 a major problem in WWE was selling out arenas in America and they knew they had to expand into other countries in order to keep doing well and as the majority of their shows back then like Prime Time Wrestling, Superstars and Wrestling Challenge were all taped they could tour at the same time. WWE didn't know where they were going to expand into but the two main choices were said to be Canada or Mexico which is why Tito Santana was actually considered to be WWE champion in late 1992.

Instead they went with Bret Hart seeing as he was already very established in WWE and was on the back of an impressive 12 month span which saw him have Match Of The Year contenders with Curt Hennig, Rowdy Roddy Piper and The British Bulldog. Even when WWE then created Raw in early 1993 i believe that was mostly taped so WWE went on tours around Europe, The Middle East and into parts of Asia as well as Canada and Mexico and did better in all those countries than they did back in America and this is why Bret Hart is considered to be an international draw.

The reality is Bret Hart wasn't a bigger draw internationally than he was back in America but it simply was a case of WWE doing better internationally than in America and i think the only place Bret Hart did draw well was in Canada which was to be expected. Whenever WWE toured other countries with Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock or even during in the early parts of The Ruthless Aggression Era when Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker were on top WWE still did better numbers overseas and although i don't know for sure as i'd have to search it but i'd bet WWE do much better numbers now overseas than they did at any point outside of The Attitude Era if not better as it is a regular thing now whereas in The Attitude Era they didn't need to because of how great business was for them back then.

 

[kurtmangled]

Putting attendance down to a particular wrestler is pretty stupid. Back then the demograph of the company was very different, not to mention how most people thought wrestling was a real sport. The way the WWF franchise was perceived at a certain time is the real reason for the high levels of attendance.

 

[RyanPelley]

Yes, he is.

 

[Mike Zybyszko]

Nowhere near Hogans level. Just look at how he ruled Japan of all places. Name me any other WWE wrestler that had the drawing power in Japan that Hogan did.

 

[Jupiter Jack Daniels]

Name me any other WWE wrestler that had the drawing power in Japan that Hogan did.

The Road Warriors were HUGE in Japan.

Either way, Hogan's overness in Japan doesn't make up for the fact that Bret was over all around the globe and not limited to a select few countries. Hogan's popularity was at a time when wrestling as a whole was popular.

WWE has even stated that Bret was one of the biggest names in the business and the most popular by the mid 90's. Bret was one of the best in ring performers of all time and outside of America, people still would rather see actual wrestling, instead of the entertainment or super hero type of characters. Bret was the only guy that really didn't have a gimmick and told his story in the ring, as opposed to others who needed mic work to get over.

Worldwide (meaning more than 1 country), Bret has to be the biggest international WWE has ever had. Hogan doesn't count because, honestly, WWE wasn't touring overseas at a rapid pace during his time with the company. With Bret, they were touring unfamiliar territory.

 

[LINK]

I could say yes but honestly I think Austin has the biggest world following. So if you are saying Bret is the biggest international draw then no, but if he is the biggest international star that drew, then yes.

Plus Hogan being over in Japan is an urban legend.^

 

[Boywonder22]

Austin was main eventing Raw In Sky dome With an attendance 41k Plus..

Plus Austin Drew much more worldwide than bret its just that he was already such a huge draw domestically he didnt need the title of being a huge international star.

Austins international Numbers are incredible.

Mayhem in Manchester - Manchester, England - Nynex Arena - April 4, 1998 (18,514; sell out)
WWF @ Obenhausen, Germany - Arena - April 5, 1998
WWF @ Berlin, Germany - Deutschlandhalle - April 6, 1998 (8,000)
WWF @ Beyereuth, Germany - Oberfrankenhalle - April 7, 1998(12,000)
WWF @ Hamburg, Germany - Sporthalle - April 8, 1998
WWF @ Vancouver, British Columbia - GM Place - July 4, 1998 (12,746)
WWF @ Toronto, Ontario - Skydome - August 1, 1998 (14,688)
WWF @ Montreal, Quebec - Molson Centre - August 2, 1998 (11,209)
WWF @ Calgary, Alberta - Saddledome - September 11, 1998 (14,017)
WWF @ Toronto, Ontario - Skydome - February 8, 1999 (41,432; 38,661 paid)

WWF @ Oberhausen, Germany - Arena - April 1, 1999 (7,048)
WWF @ Sheffield, England - Arena - April 2, 1999 (12,744; sell out)
WWF @ Newcastle, England - Telewest Arena - April 3, 1999 (10,699; sell out)
WWF @ Birmingham, England - NEC Arena - April 4, 1999 (12,236; sell out)

WWF @ Vancouver, British Columbia - GM Place - April 16, 1999 (14,599)
WWF @ Calgary, Alberta - Saddledome - April 17, 1999 (15,419; sell out)
WWF @ Edmonton, Alberta - Skyreach Centre - April 18, 1999 (16,874; sell out)

WWF @ Toronto, Ontario - Skydome - April 23, 1999 (17,402)
WWF @ Toronto, Ontario - Skydome - July 24, 1999 (15,220)