Last night I attended the World Wrestling Alliance (W.W.A.) show in Evansville, In. The show featured wrestling legends “Superstar” Bill Dundee and Tracy Smothers. “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton was also there for the meet and greet but I didn’t get a photo of him.
Both Dundee and Smothers competed in the Royal Rumble type match they called Indiana’s Biggest Battle Royal for the W.W.A. Championship.
Check out the photos below:
Earlier this month, FOX Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier had some interesting comments about SmackDown coming to the FOX network in October. SmackDown is scheduled to debut on the network on Friday, October 4th. While it was originally announced the SmackDown would be moving to Friday nights; Collier admitted that SmackDown may only be there for the short-term.
Chris Hayner of Gamespot who covered Collier’s press conference reported that when asked about the future of the sitcom Last Man Standing, which currently airs on Friday nights, Collier said that for the “short term” Friday night was going to belong to WWE.
https://twitter.com/ChrisHayner/status/1093233580216438785
That kind of language seems to indicate that FOX is looking to move SmackDown to another night during the week, which would be in theory a win for WWE since Friday and Saturday nights are typically the worst nights of the week for television viewership. A move to any night Tuesday through Thursday would be an improvement for SmackDown.
However it can also be interpreted that FOX is unhappy with SmackDown’s declining viewership on USA, and while the show will almost assuredly draw greater viewership on network television, FOX should probably be concerned about the significant amount of fans SmackDown has lost in recent months. In 2018, SmackDown averaged 2.352 million viewers. So far in 2019, the show is averaging 2.060 million viewers. If that wasn’t troubling enough, add in the fact that the first quarter of the year is typically when WWE draws its highest viewership. At this time last year, SmackDown was averaging 2.566 million viewers, so in a single year SmackDown has seen it’s audience drop by 20 percent.
How does that compare to what FOX is currently showing on Friday night? FOX is in an interesting position since when it acquired SmackDown last June, it was under the assumption that it would be a huge boost to their typical Friday night lineup. However, FOX began broadcasting the previously canceled ABC sitcom Last Man Standing which began to draw a larger viewership on Friday night. Averaging around 6 million viewers per episode, and coupled with another sitcom The Cool Kids (around 4.7 million viewers) and long-standing reality show Hell’s Kitchen (around 3 million viewers), FOX had a very competitive Friday night lineup.
SmackDown will certainly receive some form of a boost being on FOX. FOX will advertise it’s investment heavily, and if nothing else FOX is in more homes (114 million) than USA (94 million) so more people will have access to the show. There are also some advantages SmackDown has over sitcoms or reality television; SmackDown will have 52 new episodes a year instead of 20 to 25, and SmackDown takes up a full two hours as opposed to relying on multiple shows to draw viewership.
Still, it’s unrealistic to expect SmackDown to be averaging 6 million viewers per episode, particularly given their recent trend in viewership. Perhaps the reason Collier is thinking about moving SmackDown is because he doesn’t believe it will be able to replicate the success the network has had on Friday nights. Could that mean SmackDown is being moved to another night?
It will be tough for SmackDown to crack another night; last fall FOX programming averaged 7.14 million viewers per night. It seems very, very difficult for SmackDown to match that total. Part of the reason that FOX number is so high is because the network secured a slate of Thursday Night Football games; giving Thursday nights a shot in the arm. However, the Thursday night games are only for 11 weeks a year, which means that there is theoretically an opening for SmackDown in the weeks there are not games. FOX is currently filling that timeslot with Gotham and The Orvilleboth of which do between 3-4 million viewers per episode, which SmackDown could potentially attain.
Ironically the weakest night of the week for FOX is Tuesday night, which is Lethal Weapon (down 23 percent in the 18-49 demographic from last year) and The Gifted (averaging just 2.58 million viewers per episode). SmackDown could conceivably take over the Tuesday night slot, because unlike the other nights of the week, it would not have to see a massive jump in viewership to outperform the shows that used to be on during that time period.
It should be noted that we don’t know the exact specifics of WWE’s deal with FOX. It is possible that when the deal was signed, FOX agreed to air SmackDown on Friday nights for a particular length of time, before it could be moved to another night. When Collier said that SmackDown on Friday night was for the “short term” it could imply that FOX is contractually obligated to keep SmackDown in that slot for a period of time before it can be moved.
There is also the possibility that the sliding viewership for SmackDown might prevent FOX from committing to it on the FOX network for a long period of time. Losing 20 percent of your audience over a single year is a difficult pill to swallow, especially when viewership has been trending downward for years. If that turns out to be the case, SmackDown may be moved off of FOX and onto FS1, FOX’s cable sports station. SmackDown would be a great fit on FS1 and be a huge boost for that station, but it would certainly take the wind out of WWE’s sails.
Source: Wrestling Inc
When looking at areas of growth for Ring of Honor, one has to look at its parent company, Sinclair Broadcasting Group (SBG). Just as an example, this week came the announcement of Sinclair partnering with the Chicago Cubs on a new station, Marquee Sports Network.
One area that Sinclair has been especially aggressive in creating or partnering in developing are digital-tier stations. While some digital-tier stations are creating original programming, like Bounce TV, most are programmed cheaply with re-run programming, with a focus on one particular genre or target market such as “action” or “horror”.
As a wrestling fan, you’d be familiar with many of these stations such as Comet TV, Charge!, TBD and Stadium, as some of those networks have aired Ring of Honor. The primary method of finding these stations is through a television antenna. Most are in a low profile position right now, as one would literally need to seek out the station in order to find it.
Currently, the number of digital stations that each network could carry is limited. At the moment, many networks have 3 or 4 digital sub-channels per network. Sinclair has been investing in a technology called ATSC 3.0 and is now planning to launch in 26 markets. Sinclair executives hope this will be a new broadcast standard. If ATSC 3.0 does becomes widely used, a network can increase digital-sub channels from the current 3 or 4 to 20.
With most of its sub-channels, Sinclair has to split the revenue with the content providers (such as MGM). All of that leads us to Ring of Honor.
With the ability to create and program new digital-tier networks, ROH would fit nicely as a stand-alone network. With SBG already owning the rights to about 17 years of pro wrestling content, it could fill up a 24 hour pro wrestling network schedule with limited time spent to prepare the programming for broadcast. One could speculate that most content created after SBG acquired ROH would be ready to be programmed into the station. Pre-SBG ROH would need editing of music rights and possible programming that wouldn’t be appropriate for broadcast.
Utilizing a signal that Sinclair owns with content that Sinclair owns is a low risk free endeavor for Sinclair. The channel would likely be turn-key: no live specials and no fancy editing. In programming the channel, SBG could get off to a good start with themed nights for the first week. Imagine a launch week of nights featuring Tommaso Ciampa, Daniel Bryan, Tyler Black, Kevin Steen and AJ Styles?
Source: Wrestling Inc
Add 205 Live Superstar TJP to the list of talents released by WWE today.
Below is the announcement issued by WWE today:
TJP releasedWWE has come to terms on the release of Theodore Perkins (TJP).
WWE did not wish the best to TJP in his future endeavors. The same went with the earlier announcement on the release of Hideo Itami, and the release of Tye Dillinger.
TJP was actually released by the company, according to PWInsider and their multiple sources. TJP’s departure was not a situation where he asked for his release and then was granted one, similar to Itami and Dillinger.
The former WWE Cruiserweight Champion has made two social media posts since his release was announced. We noted before how he thanked WWE for giving him the chance and letting him play for “the team I grew up watching” on Twitter. He also took to Instagram this evening and posted a quote from WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki.
The quote from Inoki, seen below, reads like this: “The Road: What awaits ahead if I choose this road? Don’t be afraid, or there will be no road. Take one step, for it will start a road and it will become the road. Go on without hesitation. And you will find your destination.”
TJP actually began training at the New Japan Pro Wrestling dojo in Los Angeles back in 2003, under Inoki.
https://twitter.com/MegaTJP/status/1099034347460390912
Source: Wrestling Inc
WWE has announced that 205 Live Superstar Hideo Itami is no longer with the company.
Below is the full announcement issued this afternoon:
Hideo Itami releasedWWE has come to terms on the release of Kenta Kobayashi (Hideo Itami).
WWE did not wish Itami the best in his future endeavors. As noted, WWE announced the release of Tye Dillinger today and he was not wished the best either.
We noted back in late January that Itami had requested his release following the loss to Akira Tozawa on the January 29 edition of 205 Live. It was reported then that Itami was not happy with how he was being used in WWE.
Source: Wrestling Inc
WWE has announced that Tye Dillinger is no longer with the company.
Below is the full announcement issued this afternoon:
Tye Dillinger releasedWWE has come to terms on the release of Ron Arneill (Tye Dillinger).
As we noted on Tuesday, Dillinger took to Twitter after the SmackDown tapings in New Orleans and revealed that he had requested his release from the company. You can see his statement to fans from Tuesday below:
“Before rumors begin to spread, let me set things straight ahead of time: This evening, I requested my release from WWE. In the past 5 and a half years with them, I have seen and done some wonderful things. Things that I am very proud of and will never forget. I have met and worked with unquestionably, some of the greatest talent on this earth and the pleasure has been all mine. I feel at this time this decision, as extremely difficult as it was, is what is best for myself and WWE. I wish to continue to grow as a performer and offer those paying hard earned money to watch a show I’m performing on, a little more of myself. To the male and female locker rooms, coaches and producers, to the production/ring crew, all the way up to the very top of WWE and most of all the fans…I wish you all the very best and thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything.”
Source: Wrestling Inc
World Champion “Filthy” Tom Lawlor has a message for Low Ki as the two prepare for next week’s steel cage championship bout at Intimidation Games.
While Low Ki trains away from the cameras in Puerto Rico, Salina de la Renta provides exclusive comments on the ex-champ and next week’s steel cage title fight in Chicago.
In the midst of appealing his suspension, Rich Swann is in action as he takes on the 4th generation athlete Lance Anoa’i. After for 2 physical altercations, where’s Swann’s head at? The league will be carefully watching Swann’s conduct during this bout on Fusion.
Aerostar makes his debut as he squares off with Rey Horus in a clash of two superb luchadores. Will Horus, the cousin of Rey Mysterio Jr., make a big splash in his MLW return or will Aerostar triumph in his debut? Tune in to find out!
Mance Warner makes his debut. See what Ol Mance is all about as the lariating brawler battles Mance Warner.
H2tv is back and Teddy Hart has some words for MJF and Holliday… and everyone in the sport. Speaking of MJF and Holliday, the dynastic duo comment on last week’s shocking attack on Hart.
Matches:
Join Rich Bocchini and Matt Striker ringside in Philadelphia as Major League Wrestling presents the fastest and most dangerous hour of combat sports you’ll experience anywhere in the world.
Watch MLW FUSION Saturday nights on beIN SPORTS at 9pm ET/6pm PT. Don’t get beIN? Subscribe to MLW’s YouTube channel for free and stream binge on MLW FUSION anytime anywhere!
Scheduled for tonight’s Impact on the Pursuit Channel and Twitch at 10/9c.
* Impact World Champion Johnny Impact to kickoff Impact
* Alisha Edwards vs. Delilah Doom
* Eli Drake vs. Eddie Edwards
* The Desi Hit Squad vs. The Rascalz
https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1098990808043261953
Tonight on WOW Women of Wrestling on AXS TV at 9/8c.
* Tessa Blanchard flaunts her championship win over Jungle Grrrl last week.
* The Norwegian Nightmare, Nikki Krampus debuts against Stephy Slays
https://twitter.com/AXSTVFights/status/1098598217720070144
https://twitter.com/wowsuperheroes/status/1098991197106917376
The Wrestle Votes Twitter account, which has broken news stories in the past, reports that The Hart Foundation (Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Jimmy Hart, Bret Hart), Tazz and The Honky Tonk Man are being considered for this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class. They would join D-Generation X if the rumor is true.
Tazz would also be one of the first big names from ECW to get inducted, as WWE has relied mostly on their own history and WCW in the past.
https://twitter.com/WrestleVotes/status/1098962673436409856
Source: 411 Mania
