Category: WWE

WWE Expects Additional Programming On Fox Stations

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WWE says cross-promotional content outside of SmackDown Live is part of the new contract with Fox — but they weren’t willing to disclose additional details.

WWE’s co-presidents George Barrios and Michelle Wilson hosted a conference call to Wednesday discuss the new blockbuster TV deals with Fox and NBCU. During the 30-minute investor call, a few questions were asked about additional programming with its newest partner.

“Those absolutely have been in discussions with Fox,” answered Wilson. “There have been discussions around additional promotional programming that would highlight other activities in WWE. So those are certainly very positive discussions that are taking place — both on FS1 and Fox Broadcast.”

Wilson later added some of those opportunities were laid out in the new contract. However, she wasn’t in a position to elaborate.

Sources tell Pro Wrestling Sheet there have been discussions in regards to a weekly airing of NXT on Fox Sports 1 … however, we’ve been unable to verify if this is a plan that’s already set in stone.

In reference to the new TV deals, Barrios said the price on WWE programming is still a bargain — and added the company’s brand is stronger than it’s ever been. He pointed to an increase revenue in global sponsorships, mainstream coverage through ESPN and ecosystem’s need for live programming.

“The success we have had in social, digital and direct-to-consumer re-positions the WWE as a business brand and as a business partner. We went from being viewed as a live-event business to more of a social, digital, direct-to-consumer media business with proven expertise around it,” added Barrios.

Another focus of the call centered around TV deals outside of the U.S. — specifically the U.K. and India. Barrios said it would be ideal to split up RAW and Smackdown, as they did in the U.S., but noted those specific markets will dictate what’s possible.

They hope to have a U.K. TV deal done by the end of 2018 and contract in India signed in early 2019.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Team Hell No Reunited On SmackDown Live (Video)

Last night on WWE SmackDown Live as Daniel Bryan was getting beat down by The Bludgeon Brothers, Kane made his return to SmackDown coming to Bryan’s rescue. After some encouragement from fans with a YES! chant they hugged it out. Paige then announced that Kane and Bryan will face The Bludgeon Brothers for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles at Extreme Rules on July 15th. Team Hell No is officially back together.

Shinsuke Nakamura Out Of Action Due To Bite From Police Dog

As noted, WWE announced today that Shinsuke Nakamura is currently injured and not cleared to compete. They noted that he was injured on Monday night. Nakamura worked Sunday’s WWE live event in Fresno, California but did not wrestle at Monday’s show in Bakersfield.

Nakamura was pulled from the ring after being bitten by a police dog before Monday’s live event, according to PWInsider. The police dog was reportedly brought around the backstage area as part of a pre-show security check when the dog sniffed Nakamura and bit him on the leg, without being provoked.

WWE decided to pull Nakamura from the ring as a medical precaution. Nakamura was backstage for last night’s SmackDown but was not cleared to compete and is said to be suffering from a very sore leg. No word yet on when he will be cleared.

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE Confirms Five-Year Media Rights Deals With Fox And USA Network

WWE and the USA Network issued the following today:

USA Network and WWE® Monday Night Raw® Extend Long-Standing Partnership

Three-Hour Live Programming Block to Continue Weekly on Cable’s #1 Entertainment Network

NEW YORK & STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– USA Network and WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced a five-year extension for WWE’s flagship program Monday Night Raw. The new agreement for the live, weekly three-hour block which commences in October 2019 continues WWE and USA’s nearly three decade-long relationship. Monday Night Raw, the #1 show on USA Network, delivers action, drama, compelling storylines and unmatched athleticism, 52 weeks per year.

“Monday Night Raw and USA Network have dominated Monday nights during a truly historic run,” says Chris McCumber, President, Entertainment Networks for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. “Our partnership with WWE is one of the strongest and most successful in the business, and together we’ll take Raw to even greater heights.”

“We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with NBCUniversal and USA Network,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman & CEO. “Monday Night Raw has been synonymous with USA Network and we are excited about what the future holds for WWE’s flagship program.”

On the air for 25 years and more than 1,300 episodes, Monday Night Raw is the longest-running weekly episodic television show in U.S. primetime history and consistently a ratings juggernaut. Among the most-watched, regularly scheduled programs on primetime cable, Raw delivers more viewers in the U.S.than all sports other than the NFL. On USA Network, the weekly block is currently averaging 1.7M P18-49, 1.7M P25-54 and 3.6M total viewers P2+1.

Since its debut in 1993 on USA, Raw has been watched nearly 6 billion times in the U.S. alone. In its 25-year history, Raw has helped launch the careers of pop-culture icons including Dwayne “The Rock®” Johnson, John Cena®, Undertaker®, Triple H®, “Stone Cold®” Steve Austinand The Bella Twins™.

1Source: Nielsen NNTV, 2018 YTD through May (1/1/18-5/31/18), Live+7 Average Viewers for selected demographics (P18-49, P25-54, P2+).

WWE and FOX issued the following today:

FOX Sports Becomes New Home of SmackDown® Live

06/26/2018 – NEW YORK & STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– For the first time, every Friday night beginning October 4, 2019, FOX broadcast network will air WWE®’s flagship program SmackDown Live as part of a new five-year agreement with FOX Sports. The weekly, two-hour live event will air 52 weeks a year and captivate fans with a unique combination of edge-of-your-seat action, unpredictable drama and world-class athleticism.

“At FOX we are thrilled to welcome WWE to the FOX Sports family and bring SmackDown Live to broadcast television,” said Eric Shanks, President, COO and Executive Producer FOX Sports. “We are huge fans and know that together FOX Sports will be the leader in live events for the foreseeable future.”

“WWE and FOX are a perfect match,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman & CEO. “Moving SmackDown Live to broadcast TV and having the ability to leverage FOX’s extensive portfolio of world-class sporting events will expand the reach of our flagship programming.”

SmackDown Live is a consistent winner on television, currently averaging1 1.3M P18-49, 1.3M P25-54 and 3M total viewers P2+.

On air for almost 20 years and nearly 1,000 episodes, SmackDown Live is the second-longest running weekly episodic cable television show in U.S. primetime history, only behind Monday Night Raw®. SmackDown Live is currently among the most-watched, regularly scheduled programs on primetime cable and delivers more viewers in primetime than any cable network in the U.S. (2.9 million average viewers).

SmackDownLive has also helped launch the careers of pop-culture icons including Dwayne “The Rock®” Johnson, John Cena®, Undertaker®, Triple H®, “Stone Cold®” Steve Austin and The Bella Twins™.

1: Source: Nielsen NNTV, 2018 YTD through April (1/1/18-4/30/18), Live+7 Average Viewers for selected demographics (P18-49, P25-54, P2+).

Kevin Owens Got Onstage At Shania Twain Concert, But She Didn’t Play ‘When’ (VIDEO)

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The boyhood dream finally came true for Kevin Owens on Tuesday, as the WWE star joined Shania Twain onstage during her concert in Montreal. The moment, however, didn’t end how he’d hoped.

As you may have seen on social media, Owens has recently been tweeting about his excitement for the concert. He had also been asking Shania to play the song “When.”

Twain’s concert finally took place this evening and, much to his excitement, the popular country singer brought Kevin onstage for his efforts.

Unfortunately, Twain didn’t end up performing the song — she claimed to not remember all the lyrics — but the singer did give KO props for being a fan and said she’d perform it next time.

Plus, she let him snap a selfie.

Watch the video below:

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE U.K. Championship Tournament Day 2 Results

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NXT Tag Team Championships: The Undisputed ERA (Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong) (c’s) vs. Moustache Mountain (Tyler Bate and Trent Seven) – Winners and new NXT Tag Team champions: Moustache Mountain (Tyler Bate and Trent Seven)

Charlie Morgan vs. Killer Kelly – Winner: Charlie Morgan

WWE U.K. Title No. 1 Contender’s Fatal 4-Way Match: Noam Dar vs. Travis Banks vs. Flash Morgan Webster vs. Mark Andrews – Winner: Noam Dar

NXT North American Championship: Adam Cole (c) vs. Wolfgang – Winner: Adam Cole

NXT Champion Aleister Black & Ricochet vs. EC3 & Velveteen Dream – Winners: Aleister Black & Ricochet

NXT Women’s Championship: Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Toni Storm – Winner: Shayna Baszler by Count-Out

WWE UK Championship: Pete Dunne (c) vs. Zack Gibson – Winner: Pete Dunne

WWE 205 Live Preview 6/26/18

Tonight’s WWE 205 Live will take place from the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.

* Lio Rush to debut

* Six-Man Elimination Match: Kalisto, Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik vs. Drew Gulak, Jack Gallagher and Brian Kendrick

SmackDown Live Preview 6/26/18, The Cast of Netflix’s “GLOW” On SD Live Tonight

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown Live will take place from the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.

* Jeff Hardy to defend the United States Title against Shinsuke Nakamura on SmackDown LIVE

* The Bludgeon Brothers to appear on “Miz TV”

* Becky Lynch goes one-on-one with Peyton Royce

* Xavier Woods of The New Day squares off with Rusev

* The cast of Netflix’s “GLOW” are coming to SmackDown LIVE, and they have a message for Naomi

Becky Lynch Says She’s Pitched Women’s Tag Titles To WWE Officials

becky lynch womens tag team championship titles wwe

Becky Lynch says she’s unsuccessfully pitched an idea to WWE officials for a women’s tag team championship that could travel between brands — even NXT.

Becky laid out the concept to Lilian Garcia, who was moderating a Friday panel at Ace Comic Con in Seattle. Garcia said it was a great idea and asked Becky if she’s mentioned it to WWE officials.

“Been pitching it for a year — maybe two,” the Irish Lasskicker responded.

Becky explained due to the number of women on the roster, there wouldn’t be enough competitors to make the titles viable on a single brand. She noted allowing the champs to travel between RAW, SmackDown and NXT would set the stage for a larger range of matches and possibilities.

Adding, “I think that would get people excited to watch any of the brands, because you wouldn’t know when people would be showing up on either RAW or Smackdown.”

Watch Becky’s comments in the video below:

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet