Category: Wrestling News

TV Ratings For Women Of Wrestling’s First Two Episodes Revealed

The TV ratings for the first two episodes of Women of Wrestling have been revealed by Wrestlenomincs.

According to the report from Wrestlenomics, the first episode, which aired on September 18, was watched by 281,000 viewers in syndication. The episode drew a 0.03 in the 18-49 demographic.

ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group is the company that distributes the series in the United States and internationally. WOW is available to watch in 50 cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Brooklyn, San Antonio, Flint, and Philadelphia. A full list of channels was exclusively shared via PWInsider.

The second episode of WOW, which aired on September 25, saw the key demo rise to 0.06, though the episode was only watched by 273,000 viewers.

It was also noted in the report that WOW demonstrated a larger portion of female viewers than any nationally televised wrestling show. In the first episode, there were 18,000 male viewers in the 18-49 demographic, while it was 26,000 female viewers in the 18-49 demo.

The second episode was 40,000 male viewers in the 18-49 key demo, while it was only 39,000 female viewers in the 18-49 demo. Wrestlenomics noted that WWE “Raw” and “SmackDown” average about 40% female viewers in the 18 to 49 key demo, while AEW shows are usually around 33%.

The promotion is owned by Los Angeles Laker owner Jeanie Buss. WOW was created by David McLane, who is also the current Executive Producer of production. Former WWE Superstar AJ Mendez (FKA AJ Lee) is also the executive producer and color commentator for WOW.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Tales From The Territories Episode Could Have Been A Dark Side Of The Ring One

The creators of Vice TV’s popular “Dark Side of the Ring” series have another show on the way with “Tales from the Territories.” While speaking to Chris Jericho on the “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, creators Evan Husney and Jason Eisener spoke about the process of selecting topics for the series, including what separates a “Tales from the Territories” entry from “Dark Side of the Ring.” One episode that could have found a place on either show was the installment detailing the famous feud between legendary Memphis wrestler Jerry Lawler and comedian Andy Kaufman.

“[Andy Kaufman and Jerry Lawler] could have been a ‘Dark Side of the Ring’ episode,” Husney said. He explained that the process for putting the show together consists of researching books, interviews, and podcasts of wrestlers from the era to find the best potential topics for episodes. “Obviously, when we’re getting into Memphis, it’s hard to ignore … the Kaufman-Lawler thing. … The Kaufman versus Lawler angle we actually built out into an entire episode.”

Hunsey would go on to explain that the people involved in the Lawler-Kaufman story made it an easy decision to base an episode around. “When we got there, we were filming with the guys, the chemistry was so good. It was like. ‘All right, let’s tell the Kaufman story,’ and they just went, and they went for hours,” Husney said. “It was cool because I had never really heard Lawler’s … top-to-bottom perspective on the whole angle.”

“Tales from the Territories” is produced by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and debuts tonight on Vice TV. Tonight’s episode is on Memphis wrestling. The episode on the Lawler-Kaufman feud premieres on Tuesday, October 11. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

“Tales From The Territories” Debuts Tonight On Vice TV

“Tales from the Territories” is produced by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and debuts tonight on Vice TV at 10 PM EST. Tonight’s episode is on Memphis wrestling.

The premiere episode is titled Memphis: Where Wrestling Was Real. 

The episode will feature a round table discussion with Jerry Lawler, Jeff Jarrett, Jerry Jarrett, Jimmy Hart and more.

Promotional material for tonight’s premiere notes, “In Memphis, the Mid-South Coliseum’s unique blend of slow-burn, story-driven matches and pre-MTV music video vignettes captivated audiences every week.”

Vice TV will air a Dark Side of the Ring marathon in advance of the premiere.  The marathon schedule:

7 AM – Chris Kanyon.

8 AM – The Fabulous Moolah.

9 AM – The Plane Ride from Hell.

10 AM – Herb Abrams.

11 AM – Collission in Korea.

12 PM – Randy Savage & Elizabeth.

1 PM – XPW

2 PM – Dr. D David Schultz.

3 PM – Owen Hart.

4 PM – Bruiser Brody.

5 PM – Von Erichs.

6 PM – Chris Benoit

8 PM – Ultimate Warrior.

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat Returning To The Ring

WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat will team NJPW, AAA and ROH tag team champions FTR at Big Time’s Wrestling’s “Return of the Dragon” event, which will take place at the Dorton Arena, in Raleigh, Carolina on Sunday, November 27.

Steamboat and FTR will square off against Jay Lethal (as Black Machismo), Brock Anderson and a mystery partner with Arn Anderson as the team’s manager. The 69-year-old last wrestled alongside his son, Richie at a June 2010 FCW show against Trent Beretta & Caylen Croft.

https://twitter.com/BTWwrestling/status/1576544060264751104

Steamboat has made recent appearances for MLW and the NWA. He also served as the special guest timekeeper for the House of Dragon themed August 17 episode of AEW Dynamite.

The Briscoes vs. The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express has also been announced for the event.

Source: WrestleView

Dark Side of the Ring Co-Creator Confirms Show Will Continue

The arrival of VICE TV’s Tales From The Territories hasn’t killed Dark Side of the Ring, as Evan Husney says the latter show will continue. Husney, who is the co-creator of Dark Side of the Ring, recently appeared on Talk is Jericho to promite Tales From the Territories and confirmed that talks are underway for a fourth season of Dark Side

“Oh yeah, definitely,” Husney said (per Wrestling Inc). “It’s really interesting because when we decided to do Tales From The Territories, like I said, it was in the making since 2019. We finally got the opportunity to do it, and obviously when Vice picked it up it was like, okay, this is gonna occupy that space after season three to really focus on this, to produce it, to get it off the ground, kind of establish what it is, so it can kind of live on its own eventually. We had no intention of stopping doing Dark Side.”

He added of the fourth season, “It’s in talks right now. Everyone’s gonna hear something real soon. We’re just kind of getting that machine going real soon. So, stay tuned, but yeah, definitely not going anywhere for sure. It’s definitely here to stay.”

The third season premiered in May of 2021 and ran through October. Husney co-created the show with Jason Eisener.

Source: 411Mania

Japanese Wrestling Legend Antonio Inoki Has Passed Away At The Age Of 79

One of the most influential and important figures in the history of Japanese professional wrestling has died.

Yahoo! Japan reported Antonio Inoki passed away at his home on Saturday, October 1. A specific cause of death was not reported, but Inoki’s health problems over recent years were well known. In an interview earlier this year, he admitted he had been near death on a number of occasions.

News of Inoki’s passing came nearly 62 years to the day after his pro wrestling debut at the age of 17 on September 30, 1960. Another literal and figurative giant in Japanese wrestling history, Inoki’s future tag team partner Shohei Baba, made his in-ring debut on the same card for the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (later, simply known as the Japan Wrestling Alliance).

Inoki and Baba’s departures from the JWA changed the course of wrestling in Japan forever. In 1972, Inoki founded New Japan Pro-Wrestling, while Baba founded All Japan Pro Wrestling. Without two of its top stars, the JWA collapsed.

Inoki’s influence spread around the world. In 1976, he squared off against Muhammed Ali in an infamous “wrestler vs. boxer” match. The bout is viewed by many as a prelude to the future popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts.

Inoki’s leadership of NJPW was not without its missteps. His interest in MMA during the early 2000s gave birth to an in-ring philosophy that became known as Inoki-ism. However, the shift to the shoot fighting style nearly doomed NJPW. Inoki sold his stake in NJPW in 2005 and stepped away from the company.

Inoki explored other promotions and ventures following his exit from NJPW. Those included him founding the Inoki Genome Federation

Inoki also found success in the political arena. He served two terms in the House of Councillors. He was first elected in 1989. During that term, he notably traveled to Iraq, where he met with Saddam Hussein and successfully negotiated the release of a group of Japanese hostages.

A failed re-election bid saw Inoki leave office, but he returned after being elected to a new term in 2013. This one was marked by a number of controversial trips to North Korea. Inoki retired from politics in 2019.

Word of Inoki’s death began circulating in North America on Friday night.

News of his passing was announced during Friday night’s live broadcast of “SmackDown,” with Michael Cole conveying the company’s condolences to Inoki’s family, friends, and fans. On Twitter, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque shared his own tribute.

“One of the most important figures in the history of our business, and a man who embodied the term ‘fighting spirit,'” Levesque wrote. “The legacy of WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki will live on forever.”

Inoki defeated Bob Backlund to win the WWF Heavyweight Championship in 1979, but the company never officially recognized his reign. Inoki was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010.

AEW Owner and CEO Tony Khan joined the many on social media paying tribute to Inoki’s memory.

“RIP Antonio Inoki, a pioneer in the pro wrestling industry,” Khan wrote on Twitter Friday night. “Inoki’s influence and his achievements will live on forever in the wrestling world; he’s an inspiration to all of the dreamers. Thank you sir.”

Many of NJPW’s current top stars are in London, England where the company is holding its two-night Royal Quest II event this weekend.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Ricky Morton Details Plans For His And Rock ‘n’ Roll Express’s Final Matches

Ricky Morton is in the midst of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express farewell tour, and he has detailed when he and his longtime tag team partner, Robert Gibson, plan to hang up their wrestling boots for good. The legendary team began their tour earlier this year. Morton appeared on the “Insiders Edge Podcast” and revealed whether or not the final match has been finalized.

“No we haven’t,” Morton said. “There’s so many places that you’d think we’re having our farewell tour, and I guess it’s gonna turn into like Kiss’ farewell tour, it’s gonna go on for 14 years because there’s so many places that we hadn’t been that we need to go back. Here in the United States, it’s a lot of towns that you want to go, but we’re talking about it. Our last match has to be at NWA.”

With that said, Morton did confirm that he and Gibson have at least discussed final match plans with NWA owner Billy Corgan. He then revealed the potential timeframe for the final Rock ‘n’ Roll Express match.

“Probably June, July of next year because Robert and I still have a few towns that we still got to hit,” Morton said.

Morton admitted that he and Gibson were going to wrap up the farewell tour this year, but the team is trying to reach as many towns as possible. Morton said that once his in-ring career comes to a close, he hopes to teach today’s talent that there’s more to the wrestling business than doing high spots.

Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to the “Insiders Edge Podcast”

Vice TV Airing “Dark Side Of The Ring” Marathon Ahead Of “Tales From The Territories” Premiere

Vice TV will air a Dark Side of the Ring marathon on Tuesday, October 4th in advance of the premiere of Tales From the Territories that evening at 9 PM EST. 

Tales From the Territories is a new docuseries produced by The Rock and Danny Garcia’s Seven Bucks Products as well as the producers of Dark Side of the Ring. Here is the marathon schedule:

  • 7 AM – Chris Kanyon
  • 8 AM – The Fabulous Moolah
  • 9 AM – The Plane Ride from Hell
  • 10 AM – Herb Abrams
  • 11 AM – Collission in Korea
  • 12 PM – Randy Savage & Elizabeth
  • 1 PM – XPW
  • 2 PM – Dr. D David Schultz
  • 3 PM – Owen Har.
  • 4 PM – Bruiser Brody
  • 5 PM – Von Erichs
  • 6 PM – Chris Benoit
  • 8 PM – Ultimate Warrior

WWE NXT 2.0 Preview 9/20/2022

Here is the lineup for tonight’s episode of WWE NXT 2.0 in Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on the USA Network: 

Madusa Autobiography Announced For 2023

With a career in the squared circle as storied as the one Madusa Miceli has had, one would think she would have more than enough material to write her own book. Evidently the women’s wrestling and WWE Hall of Famer agrees with that sentiment.

Canadian publishing company ECW Press, who have previously published wrestling biographies or autobiographies on Stu Hart, Bruce Hart, and Pat Patterson, as well as books detailing the history of Stampede Wrestling or the Death of WCW, have announced “The Woman Who Would Be King: The Madusa Story.” The former WWE Women’s Champion is listed as the co-author of the book, along with Greg Oliver.

A description of the autobiography reveals that the book will cover Madusa’s in-ring career, including her time in All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling, WCW, and WWE as Alundra Blaze, and moments such as her tossing the WWE Women’s Championship in the trash on “WCW Monday Nitro.” The book will also delve into Madusa’s private life and her post-wrestling career as a monster truck driver, where she became the first woman to win the Monster Jam World Finals racing championship in 2005.

Madusa has remained active in wrestling over the last several years, appearing a handful of times on WWE TV and for AEW back in 2020, where she presented the AEW Women’s Tag Team Cup to eventual winners Diamante and Ivelisse. Her most recent appearance was on “NXT 2.0” this past July, announcing a fatal four way match for the then-vacant “NXT” Women’s Tag Team Titles.

“The Woman Who Would Be King: The Madusa Story” will be available to read as of April 13, 2023, though fans can pre-order the book today.

Source: Wrestling Inc.