Category: WWE

Backstage News On What Led To Recent Releases In WWE

As reported earlier this week, WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson, former WWE Cruiserweight Champion TJP, Tye Dillinger, and Hideo Itami were all released from WWE.

On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer went into detail about what has transpired backstage over the past couple of weeks as these releases have been taking place.

In the case of Anderson, he was reportedly fired from the company after continued conflicts with Vince McMahon. Details are scarce but something transpired at a WWE house show that evidently wasn’t handled to Vince’s liking. Anderson took full blame for the incident and was ultimately terminated from his role as a backstage producer.

Arn and Vince were said to not be on the best of terms prior to Anderson’s release. There were numerous situations over recent years where the two apparently weren’t seeing eye to eye on the different happenings within the company. Nevertheless, Arn is liked by key individuals backstage, including Triple H and John Cena. Some believe had Cena been around in a more prominent WWE role like before, perhaps it wouldn’t have escalated to the point where Anderson was released. Cena’s fondness for Anderson is shared with many other superstars that have competed in WWE over the years.

Meltzer added that he sometimes caught wind of performers speaking out about what they believed was a poorly made creative decision, and Anderson would actually support the talent’s objection, possibly causing conflict.

He also mentioned that some people feel like Anderson may flourish as a producer over in AEW. From the side of AEW, there have only been positive things said about Anderson’s work, and Arn is reportedly not too broken up about being let go from WWE.

Overall, WWE is making it a point not to fire anyone, so it apparently surprised a lot of people backstage when Anderson and TJP were let go from the company. TJP’s release in particular is said to be for disciplinary reasons, and WWE felt like parting ways with TJP is something that was needed to be done. A lack of creative ideas for TJP wasn’t a deciding factor in his departure because even the WWE superstars that haven’t been given much creative material as of late are being held to their contractual obligations.

The obvious exceptions come in the form of Tye Dillinger and Hideo Itami, who were also confirmed as being released from WWE earlier this week. We noted back in late January that Itami had asked for his release from WWE as a result of his frustration with how he was being used in the company.

Along with the releases, Bruce Prichard, Steve Corino, “Hurricane” Shane Helms, Sonjay Dutt, Shawn Daivari, Impact Wrestling Hall of Famer “Abyss” Chris Parks and WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett have all started as backstage producers for the company.

Source: Wrestling Inc

A Look At FOX Moving WWE SmackDown Live To Another Night Following October 4th Debut

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

WWE Announces Release Of TJP

Image result for WWE Announces Release Of TJP

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 Announces Release Of Hideo Itami

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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 Announces Release Of Tye Dillinger

Image result for WWE Announces Release Of Tye Dillinger

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

Rumored Names For 2019 WWE Hall Of Fame

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 

Report: WWE Releases Arn Anderson

Arn Anderson Parts Ways With WWE

Pro Wrestling Sheet is reporting that WWE Hall Of Famer Arn Anderson of the Four Horsemen faction, and longtime behing-the-scenes producer / agent for has been released from the company.

According to the report, Anderson “exited the company on Thursday.”

It is unclear at this point why Anderson, who has worked for WWE since 2001, has departed from the company.

Anderson retired from in-ring competition in 1997 due to neck and back injuries, but still got in the ring for the occasional tag match or bump. Anderson has been a road agent with WWE since WCW folded in 2001. He occasionally appeared in backstage segments over the years, whether that was to offer advice to young superstars or participate in small comedic segments.

One of the original members of the Four Horsemen, “The Enforcer” is a multi-time tag team champion, winning titles with the then-WWF, WCW and NWA.

Although not confirmed, the influx of new road agents like Abyss, Gregory Helms and Daivari may have been a factor in WWE and him parting ways. This news comes just a few days before Ric Flair’s birthday celebration on RAW.

Matt Hardy Comments On WWE Contract Ending Very Soon

Last August, Matt Hardy’s wife, Reby Hardy appeared on Busted Open and spoke about her husband, who was going through a transitional period at the time where he was stepping away from the ring to rehabilitate his back and hip. She also noted his WWE contract would be up in March of this year.

“Matt is good. Matt is right now going through a bit of a transitional period,” Hardy said. “He’s not really sure what he’s going to be doing. His contract is up in March, which I’m not sure many people are aware of. But there’s sort of a decision to be made at this point as to whether or not he should continue his in-ring career or if he should pursue something different, which he would totally be up for and would be excited to do, I feel like.”

Earlier today, Hardy tweeted out photos from 2014 when he held titles in two different indie promotions and wrote how he felt “comfortable” working outside of WWE.

“#TBT 2014 As both the MCW Wrestling & Extreme Rising Champion, whilst working dozens of territories. I’ve always felt comfortable outside of the WWE.”

https://twitter.com/MATTHARDYBRAND/status/1098653768428642304

Hardy would respond to an individual who said that will probably be a tweet he’ll be forced to delete. The WWE Superstar replied it was quite the opposite and noted he has 11 days left on his WWE contract.

“Not a threat at all, just a fact. I have 11 days left on my current deal. I love WWE, but I’m 100% comfortable being outside the walls of pro wrestling’s ‘Alexandria’ Safe-Zone. I’m a born survivalist. My previous tweet will nevah face deletion.”

https://twitter.com/jeremy_vaeni/status/1098654878182719488

https://twitter.com/MATTHARDYBRAND/status/1098658248415035393

Last month, Hardy noted he was “physically greenlit” to return to the ring.

Roman Reigns Returning To RAW This Monday With Leukemia Update

Roman Reigns / WWE Update

WWE announced that Roman Reigns will be appearing on this upcoming Monday night’s episode of WWE RAW.

WWE.com posted the following:

Roman Reigns returns to Raw this Monday with an update on his battle with leukemia

Last October, Roman Reigns (Joe Anoa’i) revealed to the WWE Universe that he would be stepping away from WWE — and relinquishing the Universal Championship — to focus on his battle with leukemia, an illness that had returned 11 years after his initial diagnosis.

On Monday, The Big Dog returns to provide an update on his treatment, live in Atlanta.

What will Reigns have to say to the WWE Universe, more than four months after his last appearance on the red brand?

Don’t miss Roman Reigns’ anticipated return to WWE television on Raw Monday night, beginning at 8/7 C on USA Network.

Tuesday morning, Reigns will be appearing on the popular morning talk show, “Good Morning America,” live in Times Square in New York City.

The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Is Returning

nxt, dusty classic, dusty rhodes, ciampa, gargano

The annual Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is returning and a major duo have been confirmed as participants … but for those who don’t want to be spoiled, this is your warning.

According to those in attendance, the return of the Dusty Classic was announced during tonight’s NXT TV tapings in Orlando.

The round of tapings began with a Johnny Gargano promo which was interrupted by his former DIY tag team partner Tommaso Ciampa, who suggested the pair reunite to compete in the tournament.

Gargano accepted the invitation as the two shook on it.

The other teams in the tournament are Street Profits, Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel, Moustache Mountain, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch, Ricochet & Aleister Black, Forgotten Sons and Undisputed Era.

It’s been quite a week for Ciampa and Gargano. DIY not only made surprise appearances on Raw and SmackDown Live, but they were victorious on both shows — defeating The Revival and The Bar.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet