Tonight’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown and WWE 205 Live episodes will air live from the Allstate Arena near Chicago, IL with the final hype for WWE Survivor Series on Sunday.
* Roman Reigns, Mustafa Ali & Shorty G battle King Corbin, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode on SmackDown
* Daniel Bryan summons Bray Wyatt to the SmackDown ring
* It is to be expected that Superstars from RAW and NXT will appear.
“Filthy” Tom Lawlor isn’t done with MLW after all. We previously reported that Lawlor was finishing up with MLW.
Court Bauer, MLW CEO and booker, wasn’t lying when he stated the world of MLW never stops. In a press release, it was announced that the company has agreed to a multi-year, exclusive agreement with Tom Lawlor.
“After months and weeks of trying to figure out the next step in my career, I have come to the conclusion that indeed there is no place like home, and no where that I would rather continue to swing for the fences than in Major League Wrestling,” said Tom Lawlor. “I’m happy to announce that myself and management have come to terms that will keep me in the ring with the top talent, wrestlers, and fighters under the MLW banner.
“While I was able to reach the peak of the mountain and become world champion in the past, I have since realized that there are entire new ranges for me to conquer and I look forward to getting to the summit alongside the fans and supporters of MLW. Stay filthy!”
A former member of the UFC roster, Lawlor joined MLW in 2017 and became a fan favorite, winning the MLW World Heavyweight Title earlier this year.
“We went into extra innings to get this done,” said Bauer. “Tom’s talent, passion and leadership are second to none. We’re all beyond pleased to have his continued presence in MLW for years to come.”
Lawlor is scheduled to compete at the Opera Cup inside the Melrose Ballroom in New York City on December 5th. An opponent has not been announced yet.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
It took 8 weeks, but WWE NXT has finally topped AEW Dynamite in viewership.
Wednesday’s NXT drew 916,000 viewers on the USA Network while AEW Dynamite on TNT drew 893,000 viewers, according to Showbuzz Daily. NXT topped Dynamite by 2.6%.
This is the best NXT viewership since the official two-hour USA premiere on October 2. The first two NXT USA episodes had just one hour air on cable, and they drew 1.179 million viewers and 1.006 million viewers. The NXT viewership is likely up due to fans expecting top RAW and SmackDown Superstars to appear for the final Survivor Series build on NXT. As noted, top main roster stars such as Seth Rollins, RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch, Drew McIntyre, The Revival, and others appeared.
AEW still topped NXT in the 18-49 demo, as it ranked #8 in the Cable Top 150 for the 18-49 demo, while NXT ranked #14. AEW ranked #36 in overall viewership, while NXT ranked #35 in viewership.
Last week’s Dynamite episode drew 957,000 viewers and ranked #5 in the Cable Top 150, and #37 in viewership, so it dropped 6.7%. Last week’s NXT episode drew 750,000 viewers and ranked #22 in the Cable Top 150, and #41 in viewership.
AEW drew a 0.39 rating in the 18-49 demographic while NXT drew a 0.30 in the same demo this week. Last week’s AEW episode drew a 0.43 in that demographic while NXT drew a 0.25.
The Democratic Debate on MSNBC topped the night in the 18-49 demographic at #1 with a 1.08 rating, also topping the night in viewership with 6.604 million viewers.
Chicago Med on NBC at 8pm topped the night in viewership on network TV with 8.433 million viewers. The Masked Singer on FOX topped the 18-34 demographic with a 1.2 rating.
To compare, this week’s pro wrestling viewership looks like this so far:
* Monday’s Survivor Series go-home edition of WWE RAW drew an average of 2.128 million viewers, up from last week’s 2.058 million viewers for the taped episode from England. RAW was #11 for the night in viewership on cable, and #4 in the 18-49 demographic on the Cable Top 150, for the fourth week in a row
* Tuesday’s Total Divas season 9 finale on the E! network drew 295,000 viewers, up from last week’s 258,000 viewers. Total Divas ranked #95 on the Cable Top 150 this week with a 0.12 cable rating in the 18-49 demo
* Tuesday’s WWE Backstage episode on FS1 drew 180,000 viewers in the 11pm hour, up from last week’s 100,000 viewers
* Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite on TNT drew 893,000 viewers, down from last week’s 957,000 viewers. Dynamite was #36 for the night in viewership on cable and #8 in the 18-49 demographic on the Cable Top 150 with a 0.39 rating
* Wednesday’s NXT episode on the USA Network drew 916,000 viewers, up from last week’s 750,000 viewers. NXT ranked #35 for the night in viewership on cable, and #14 on the Cable Top 150 with a 0.30 rating in the 18-49 demographic
Below is 2019 NXT Viewership Tracker:
September 18 Episode: 1.179 million viewers (one hour on the USA Network)
September 25 Episode: 1.006 million viewers (one hour on the USA Network)
October 2 Episode: 891,000 viewers (season premiere, both hours on the USA Network)
October 9 Episode: 790,000 viewers
October 16 Episode: 712,000 viewers
October 23 Episode: 698,000 viewers
October 30 Episode: 580,000 viewers with a 0.18 demographic in the 18-49 demographic
November 6 Episode: 813,000 viewers with a 0.30 demographic in the 18-49 demographic
November 13 Episode: 750,000 viewers with a 0.25 demographic in the 18-49 demographic
November 20 Episode: 916,000 viewers
Below is 2019 AEW Dynamite Viewership Tracker:
October 2 Episode: 1.409 million viewers (premiere episode)
October 9 Episode: 1.018 million viewers (on TNT, 122k on truTV)
October 16 Episode: 1.014 million viewers
October 23 Episode: 963,000 viewers
October 30 Episode: 789,000 viewers with a 0.33 rating in the 18-49 demographic
November 6 Episode: 822,000 viewers with a 0.35 rating in the 18-49 demographic
November 13 Episode: 957,000 viewers with a 0.43 rating in the 18-49 demographic (post-Full Gear episode)
November 20 Episode:893,000 viewers
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Current ROH Women’s title holder Kelly Klein has apparently been released from the company.
Klein’s husband BJ Whitmer confirmed the news via social media on Thursday.
“Now that the cat is out of the bag. Yes, my wife [Kelly Klein] was fired by [Ring of Honor] COO Joe Koff, via email Tuesday evening. Not a phone call, an EMAIL. Kelly is still very much suffering from Post Concussion Syndrome and was fired while still injured.”
The 33-year-old wrestler recently spoke out in support of former ROH employee Joey Mercury who has been pointing out issues with the company as of late via social media. In particular, he published an email from GM Greg Gilleland – with Klein’s permission – that revealed she wasn’t even making $24,000 a year with the promotion and implied that all female talent in the company had to be paid the same amount.
A rep for Ring of Honor told WrestleZone: “We normally don’t discuss these matters but since it seems to have been made public — We did not fire Kelly but we did notify her that we would not be re-signing her when her current agreement expires. She is still under contract through the end of the year.”
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
NXT wrestler Jordan Myles aka ACH has officially been released from WWE.
WWE confirms that Myles is no longer under contract at this time, though no other details have been made available.
The 31-year-old first signed with in February of this year. He then took part in the NXT Breakout Tournament, which he won. Myles went on to face NXT champ Adam Cole in a title match.
ACH began taking bookings. His first post-WWE booking is scheduled to take place tonight in Texas.
The wrestler went public with his issues last month, speaking out against the company due to a racially insensitive shirt they released for him.
ACH is also booked to wrestle for the Wrestler Revolver in December.
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
Top Impact Wrestling star Tessa Blanchard will be planning for another big event soon. While in Playas de Rosarito, she got engaged to fellow wrestler Daga.
Tessa stated in an Instagram post, “My whole heart for my whole life. ??”
Daga also works for Impact Wrestling. Their relationship has not yet been mentioned during Impact Wrestling programming.
Blanchard is currently scheduled to face Sami Callihan for the Impact World Championship at January’s Hard to Kill event. During an interview on Wrestling Inc.’s WINCLY podcast earlier this year, Daga spoke about if he gets nervous with Blanchard competing in intergender matches.
“Yeah, but I also feel that she is the best in the world,” revealed DAGA. “I’m worried but I know she can handle any style.
“This is wrestling – it’s not a ballet. I enjoy the matches that she’s involved in and I’m her No. 1 fan.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5GQQH5Ausb/?utm_source=ig_embed
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE star Alicia Fox has come out saying she’s a few months sober after going into recovery for alcoholism.
The 33-year-old wrestler went public about her situation via Instagram, writing:
for a WHILE I thought I could avoid addressing my #recovery of alcohol. I am human, and realized it was time to be #transparent and #honest w you #socialmedia now written on #cyberconcrete
TODAY, Im a few months #sober, I’ve creatively navigated my emotions, snagged some new skills AND I WANT TO HELP!!! Ive learned that alcoholism is life threatening situation and support is available!! I figured I can sharing my insight and BE of SERVICE to anyone finding it hard to believe that ‘YOU ARE IMPORTANT’ and deserve an opportunity to learn how to live a clean and sober life… it would be an honor to share my #hope, #strength, and #experience
SNAIL MAIL ME at @resilienceamongmankind 3948 3rd Street South suite #442; Jacksonville Beach 32250 I’m inviting everyone to a safe social place to discuss and expand understanding of our transforming minds #fancyasfox #foxyladies are in #recovery too!! Ok! Thx for allowing me get that off my chest!!
Fox last wrestled on WWE TV in April. She also made an appearance during the Raw reunion special.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5GedjsHmNV/?utm_source=ig_embed
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
Tonight’s AEW Dynamite will air live from the Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana.
* AEW World Champion Chris Jericho to make a huge announcement.
* Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin
* Fenix vs. Nick Jackson
* Private Party vs. Santana and Ortiz
* Dynamite Dozen Battle Royal (The final two participants will meet next week, winner of that match receives an AEW Diamond Ring.)
* Britt Baker vs. Hikaru Shida
* Kenny Omega to speak.
Tonight’s WWE NXT episode will air live from the NXT Arena at Full Sail University with the final hype for Saturday’s “Takeover: WarGames, plus hype for Sunday’s WWE Survivor Series.
A new WWE podcast from SmackDown Tag Team Champion The New Day is now official. WWE recently filed to trademark “The New Day: Feel The Power” for podcast use, which began the speculation on a new show for Big E, Kofi Kingston and the injured Xavier Woods.
The podcast was confirmed during this week’s “After The Bell” podcast with host Corey Graves. “Feel The Power” will premiere on Monday, December 2. Graves said The New Day will discuss “anything and everything from inside and outside” of the ring each week. He also indicated that The New Day’s podcast will likely come out after his own podcast drops each week. This looks to be the second podcast on the official WWE Podcast Network that has been planned.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
