SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
-Despite Raw dropping to a 1.68 rating, among the lowest Raw ratings of all time (most of the lowest ratings have come in the last year), its first hour landed in the no. 4 spot in Monday’s cable ratings in the key 18-49 adult demographic, behind only ESPN’s NFL game and the pre-show and post-show, according to TV By The Numbers. The second and third hours dropped to spots no. 6 and 7.
–WWE is advertising John Cena will be part of the Dec. 29 Smackdown live event in Pittsburgh, Pa. at PPG Paints Arena. He is listed as teaming with Rey Mysterio against Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura. Cena is scheduled for a full WWE schedule starting Dec. 26 at Madison Square Garden through the Memphis, Tenn. event on Jan. 14. He will appear at the Raw TV event on Jan. 7 in Orlando, Fla. [Thanks to PWTorch reader Joe M. for the tip]
-The angle on Raw this week where Baron Corbin smashed Braun Strowman’s with metal stairs was prompted by Braun legitimately needing elbow surgery. He may or may not be ready at TLC, but they want him in shape for what will likely be a match against Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble for the Universal Title.
-On WWE’s YouTube channel, they edited the clip of the opening segment on Raw with Stephanie McMahon, Braun Strowman, and Baron Corbin. On the live show, in response to Braun Strowman wanting to pick his own stipulations, Stephanie said “dismemberment is a bit of a corporate liability, but we’ll get there, we’ll get there, I’m sure.” It’s at the 1:20 mark on the YouTube clip that the segment jumps past that comment to Braun saying about 10-15 seconds later, “What about my Universal Championship match against Brock Lesnar?” That’s good judgment on WWE’s part, since the reference to “dismemberment” in the same sentence with “corporate liability” sure conjures up unpleasant thoughts about the controversy of Jamal Khashoggi being dismembered by Saudi Arabians at the consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, which caused problems (one might say “corporate liabilities”) for WWE given their deal to run live events in Saudi Arabia. That comment is still part of the on-demand replay of Raw on cable systems, though. The YouTube segment, by the way, has over 1 million views worldwide since it was posted two days ago. Some outlets, including several pro wrestling sites, picked up on the comment and were critical of it. [Thanks to Will from Seattle for the tip]
–Dana White told TMZ he wants Daniel Cormer to fight Jon Jones and he isn’t sure the Lesnar fight will end up happenings. Meanwhile, Paul Heyman told TMZ that he doesn’t see anything getting in the way of a Daniel Cormier vs. Brock Lesnar fight in UFC as long as “UFC comes up with the money for Brock Lesnar.” Lesnar is signed with WWE through at least April, which would seem to delay the date until after WrestleMania 35. Full coverage of this breaking story at MMATorch.com HERE.
-In a current survey WWE has sent to some fans on their list, they asked about viewing habits. They asked for responses to these statements:
- “I prefer watching WWE highlights over full-length shows”
- “Some wrestlers don’t get the coverage they deserve”
- “The WWE is too family friendly”
- “The WWE is family entertainment”
- “It’s too heavily directed by corporate interests”
- “I mostly just follow WWE online rather than watch on TV”
- “It is important to watch WWE programs live”
- “Knowing WWE is a global brand makes me more interested in WWE”
- “The Superstars no longer have the ability to talk off the cuff”
- “WWE Superstars are elite athletes”
- “I am able to easily find the highlights of a WWE show so I don’t have to watch on TV”
- “I am more likely to tune into the WWE when I know in advance who is going to be there or what match-ups there will be”
- “The current champions haven’t earned their spot on top”
- “I am proud to be a WWE fan”
- “The WWE makes me feel like a kid again”
- “I would watch the WWF more if it was broadcast on a major sports network”
They also asked if the respondent wants to see more or less of tag team matches, behind the scenes drama, ring entrances, cruiserweight matches, female wrestlers, wrestlers considered monstrous and scary, anti-authority/rebellious wrestlers, legends, wrestler “smack talk.” It also asked if it’s important to “feel captivated by the story, forgetting it is scripted” and “to see something funny” among other similar questions.
LISTEN TO THE WADE KELLER PRO WRESTLING POST-SHOW COVERING SMACKDOWN WITH ON-SITE CORRESPONDENT, LIVE CALLERS, MAILBAG
PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by ProWrestling.net’s Jake Barnett as they discuss WWE Smackdown with a really good caller segment and a lot of good emails in the mailbag segment, plus our on-site correspondent from Los Angeles. They discuss the Survivor Series fallout including Charlotte’s explanations or her actions, Daniel Bryan’s explanation for his actions, Miz and Shane McMahon teaming together, a New Day Thanksgiving skit “for the kids” and whether New Day act should shift away…
-AXS TV has announced it will air New Japan Pro Wrestling’s biggest event of the year, Wrestle Kingdom 13, in real time and nearly live on Friday, Jan. 4 at 8 p.m. ET. They will air two hours of the event including Kenny Omega defending the IWGP Hvt. Title against Hiroyoshi Tanahashi plus Chris Jericho and Tetsuya Naito. Jim Ross’s contract with AXS expires this year, so Kevin Kelly and Don Callis will call the action. Ross has called it in recent years for AXS’s coverage.
-David Arquette told Sam Roberts in an interview last week that he continues to get criticized for being booked to become WCW Champion. “Before when I first became the [WCW] Champion there wasn’t really the internet like there is now,” he said. “Since then being linked to the fall of WCW. ‘That’s a worst decision than making David Arquette the Champion.’Those type of things just kept increasing. All these people started trolling me on the internet.” Read a full recap and analysis of this interview with a link to the actual show at our sister site PWPodcasts.com HERE.
-The Bryant Brothers, Wayne & Dane, are actually indy wrestlers Eli Everfly and Keita Murray.
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