Britt Baker To AEW Fans: “Please Don’t Turn The Channel When Women Are On TV”

AEW star Britt Baker believes that for AEW’s women’s division to grow, the new wrestling company needs help from the audience watching at home.

While addressing the criticism faced by the female division, Baker said fans need to ensure that women’s segments are not the lowest-rated segments on AEW Dynamite.

“I know there are plans to grow the women’s division, but at the same time we need help from the fans at home too,” Baker told Uproxx in an interview. “We can’t have the women’s segments being the lowest rated or the lowest views [on YouTube] each week. Because at the end of the day it’s a business, and AEW needs ratings.”

Baker acknowledged that since AEW is in a ratings war every Wednesday night with NXT, it needs more fans watching the women’s segments.

“It’s no secret we’re in a war every Wednesday night with NXT, so we need the ratings up. So for the fans that are so encouraging and saying “We want more women, we want more women!” that’s great, but please don’t turn the channel when the women are on TV then! We want everybody to be watching the segments and cheering us on from home,” she said.

Baker also cited COVID-19 as a reason for AEW’s women’s division not reaching greater heights.

“Our women’s division got hit hard because of the COVID outbreak. Half our roster is international talent, so we immediately didn’t have access to any of those women. Then Kris Statlander got hurt, and I got hurt. And there’s only so much time on AEW Dynamite to start with,” added Baker.

Hikaru Shida will defend her AEW Women’s World Title against Big Swole during tonight’s AEW Dynamite anniversary episode.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

2020 WWE Draft Results

ROUND 1 (ON SMACKDOWN)
* WWE Champion Drew McIntyre stays on RAW
* RAW Women’s Champion Asuka stays on RAW
* The Hurt Business (MVP, Cedric Alexander, Shelton Benjamin, WWE United States Champion Bobby Lashley) stays on RAW
* WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns stays on SmackDown
* Seth Rollins goes from RAW to SmackDown

ROUND 2 (ON SMACKDOWN)
* AJ Styles goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Sasha Banks stays on SmackDown
* Naomi goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Bianca Belair goes from RAW to SmackDown
* WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax stay on RAW

ROUND 3 (ON SMACKDOWN)
* Ricochet stays on RAW
* Jey Uso stays on SmackDown
* Mandy Rose stays on RAW
* Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio go from RAW to SmackDown
* The Miz and John Morrison go from SmackDown to RAW

ROUND 4 (ON SMACKDOWN)
* SmackDown Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods go from SmackDown to RAW
* Big E stays on SmackDown
* Dana Brooke stays on RAW
* Otis stays on SmackDown
* Angel Garza stays on RAW

FREE AGENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT PICKS FROM TALKING SMACK
* Humberto Carrillo stays on RAW
* Tucker goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Drew Gulak goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Kalisto stays on SmackDown
* Shorty G stays on SmackDown
* Murphy goes from RAW to SmackDown
* Mickie James TBA

ROUND 1 (ON RAW)
* “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Randy Orton stays on RAW
* SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley stays on SmackDown
* RAW Tag Team Champions (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) go to SmackDown from RAW
* Charlotte Flair stays on RAW

ROUND 2 (ON RAW)
* Braun Strowman goes to RAW from SmackDown
* Daniel Bryan stays on SmackDown
* Matt Riddle goes to RAW from SmackDown
* Kevin Owens goes to SmackDown from RAW
* Jeff Hardy goes to RAW from SmackDown

ROUND 3 (ON RAW)
* RETRIBUTION stays on RAW
* Lars Sullivan stays on SmackDown
* Keith Lee stays on RAW
* King Baron Corbin stays on SmackDown
* Alexa Bliss goes from SmackDown to RAW

ROUND 4 (ON RAW)
* Elias goes to RAW from SmackDown
* WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn stays on SmackDown
* Lacey Evans goes to RAW from SmackDown
* Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura stay on SmackDown
* Sheamus goes to RAW from SmackDown

ROUND 5 (ON RAW)
* Nikki Cross goes to RAW from SmackDown
* Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler go to SmackDown from RAW
* WWE 24/7 Champion R-Truth stays on RAW
* Apollo Crews goes to SmackDown from RAW
* Dabba-Kato stays on RAW

ROUND 6 (ON RAW)
* Titus O’Neil stays on RAW
* Carmella stays on SmackDown
* Peyton Royce stays on RAW
* Aleister Black goes to SmackDown from RAW
* Akira Tozawa stays on RAW

ROUND 7 (ON RAW TALK)
* Lana stays on RAW
* Riddick Moss stays on RAW
* Arturo Ruas stays on RAW
* Natalya goes to SmackDown from RAW
* Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan go to SmackDown from RAW

ROUND 8 (ON TWITTER)
* Erik stays on RAW
* Billie Kay goes to SmackDown from RAW
* Tamina Snuka stays on SmackDown
* Zelina Vega goes to SmackDown from RAW
* Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado go to RAW from SmackDown

The remaining free agents from the pools as of this writing are Andrade and Mickie James.

Impact Wrestling Preview 10/13/20

The next chapter on the road to Bound for Glory unfolds tonight on Impact at 8/7c on AXS TV and Twitch.

* Health update on Rich Swann: Is his status for Bound For Glory in question?

* Havok and Nevaeh vs. Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz vs. Rosemary and Taya Valkyrie

* Kimber Lee vs. Kylie Rae

* Madman Fulton vs. Doc Gallows

WWE RAW Preview 10/12/20, WWE Draft

Tonight’s WWE RAW from the Amway Center in Orlando will feature the continuation of the 2020 Draft, plus more build for the upcoming Hell In a Cell pay-per-view.

* Kevin Owens to face Aleister Black in a No Disqualification Match

* Seth Rollins bids farewell to Raw

* Battle Royal to decide Asuka’s next challenger

* Mustafa Ali to speak about his RETRIBUTION reveal

See below for the updated draft pool for Monday’s edition of Raw:

Andrade
Bayley
Aleister Black
Alexa Bliss
Daniel Bryan
Carmella
King Corbin
Apollo Crews
Nikki Cross
Dabba-Kato
Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
Elias
Erik (of The Viking Raiders)
Lacey Evans
Charlotte Flair
Jeff Hardy
Billie Kay
Lana
Keith Lee
Riddick Moss
Natalya
Titus O’Neil
Randy Orton
Kevin Owens
R-Truth
RETRIBUTION (Mustafa Ali, T-BAR, MACE, SLAPJACK, RECKONING & RETALIATION)
Matt Riddle
The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan)
Peyton Royce
Arturo Ruas
Sheamus
Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro
The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
Braun Strowman
Lars Sullivan
Tamina
Akira Tozawa
Zelina Vega
Bray Wyatt
Sami Zayn

Eva Marie Reportedly Returning To WWE

Eva Marie is reportedly returning to WWE soon.

There’s no official word on when Eva is set to return, but Cultaholic reports that the return may be imminent. It was noted that we could see the former WWE Divas Search competitor and Total Divas cast member return as soon as tonight’s RAW episode, featuring the end of the 2020 WWE Draft.

Wrestling Inc. noted back in September how Eva spoke with Reel Talker’s Jim Alexander and commented on her WWE experience, and how The McMahon Family took a chance on her. She said WWE will always be her #1.

“WWE is always my number one,” she said. “My family. They are everything. Vince, Hunter, Stephanie, they took a chance on me, as a nobody at all. They gave me opportunities to possibly become a superstar.”

Eva also said she has some unfinished business in WWE, during that interview.

“I am just so thankful to that company and feel I have some unfinished business (if you know what I’m saying). I have no problem and see myself coming back to WWE. Stirring it up a little bit,” she said of a potential return.

Eva first joined WWE in 2013 for Total Divas and the Divas Search, but left the company in August 2017 to focus on other interests outside of the company. She has done some acting and reality TV work since then, and has also launched her own fashion brands, among other projects. Eva also launched a podcast in 2018, The Natalie Eva Marie Show. She has stayed away from pro wrestling for the most part, but it was recently revealed at this link that she has a new pro wrestling show with NowThis coming out.

UPDATE:

PWInsider reports that Marie is currently in Orlando for this week’s WWE TV tapings at the Amway Center. She was seen on Sunday undergoing medical testing that was needed to enter the arena today.

Word is that the 36 year old Marie and WWE came to terms on a return deal during the week of September 20. There is still no word yet on if she will be returning to wrestle, or work as some sort of personality on TV.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE To Continue Running At The ThunderDome For The Month Of November

WWE is planning on running from the ThunderDome at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida for at least one more month.

The future of The ThunderDome has been up in the air as WWE’s current residency at the Amway Center is set to expire on Saturday, October 31, less than one week after WWE Hell In a Cell. However, PWInsider now reports that WWE will be extending the length of the ThunderDome concept for at least another four weeks.

This means that the 2020 WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view on November 22 will likely take place from the Amway Center.

There’s no word yet on where RAW, SmackDown and WWE pay-per-view events will air from for the month of December. It’s been reported that WWE was looking at other venue options in the state of Florida. The next WWE pay-per-view event after Survivor Series is TLC on December 20.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Draft Results From SmackDown and Supplemental On Talking Smack

ROUND 1
* WWE Champion Drew McIntyre stays on RAW
* RAW Women’s Champion Asuka stays on RAW
* The Hurt Business (MVP, Cedric Alexander, Shelton Benjamin, WWE United States Champion Bobby Lashley) stays on RAW
* WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns stays on SmackDown
* Seth Rollins goes from RAW to SmackDown

ROUND 2
* AJ Styles goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Sasha Banks stays on SmackDown
* Naomi goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Bianca Belair goes from RAW to SmackDown
* WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax stay on RAW

ROUND 3
* Ricochet stays on RAW
* Jey Uso stays on SmackDown
* Mandy Rose stays on RAW
* Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio go from RAW to SmackDown
* The Miz and John Morrison go from SmackDown to RAW

ROUND 4
* SmackDown Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods go from SmackDown to RAW
* Big E stays on SmackDown
* Dana Brooke stays on RAW
* Otis stays on SmackDown
* Angel Garza stays on RAW

Here are the moves announced Talking Smack:

* Humberto Carrillo stays on RAW
* Murphy goes from RAW to SmackDown
* Drew Gulak goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Kalisto stays on SmackDown
* Tucker goes from SmackDown to RAW

The following Superstars are still free agents:

RAW: Mickie James
SmackDown: Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado), Shorty G

WWE SmackDown Preview 10/9/20: Draft Begins

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX episode will feature Night 1 of the 2020 WWE Draft.

WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns are both eligible to be drafted tonight. You can click here for full rules on the Draft, and details on the Superstar pools for tonight.

Mickie James Out Of Action Due To Broken Nose Suffered On WWE RAW

WWE Superstar Mickie James will be out of action for several weeks after suffering a broken nose.

“I had my nose broken recently in match so I can’t wrestle for a few weeks,” James said while appearing on her YouTube channel, GAW TV (h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription).

James noted that the controversial finish to her Raw Women’s Championship match against Asuka – during an episode of Monday Night Raw on September 14 – was actually not “a swerve” and the result of her breaking her nose. The finish saw the referee call for the bell even though Mickie never tapped out to the Asuka Lock.

Interestingly, Mickie wrestled the following week on Raw against Zelina Vega because she wasn’t still aware of the severity of the injury.

“What had happened was, after the swelling went down [after the Asuka match injury], I noticed that this whole side of my nose was completely caved in.

“I go to the doctor [and he says] I broke my nose,” said Mickie.

Mickie explained that her cartilage was dislocated from her nasal cavity and therefore had to be relocated.

The former six-time WWE Women’s Champion has been off WWE TV since that match against Vega. As noted before, she is among the first pool of WWE superstars who are eligible for tonight’s WWE Draft on Friday Night SmackDown. The second pool of wrestlers will be drafted on Monday’s edition of Raw.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Draft Rules And Pools Announced

WWE has announced the official rules and Superstar pools for the 2020 Draft. The Draft kicks off this Friday during SmackDown on FOX, and then will wrap during Monday’s RAW on the USA Network.

There will be more than 60 Superstars and tag teams that are eligible in the Draft. More than 20 Superstars from both brands will be eligible to be drafted on Friday, and more than 30 will be eligible to be drafted on Monday.

Due to the length of each show, RAW will get 3 picks for every 2 picks that SmackDown selects. Tag teams will count as 1 pick unless FOX or USA, in conjunction with WWE officials, want to pick just one Superstar from the team. Any undrafted Superstars will be declared free agents, and will be able to sign the the brand of their choosing.

The biggest news on the pools is that RETRIBUTION, as a group, will be eligible to be drafted to the blue brand. All 6 members (Mustafa Ali, T-BAR, Slapjack, Mace, Retaliation, Reckoning) will be included in the pick, which kills any speculation on Retaliation (Mercedes Martinez) being nixed from the group.

WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns are both eligible to be drafted on Friday night. Several RAW Underground regulars will also be eligible, including Dabba-Kato. Another interesting note from the pool is that Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio will be drafted as a team, while Erik of The Viking Raiders is going by himself due to Ivar being out of action. It was reported this week that Erik is also currently out of action after undergoing a minor operation to remove old surgery hardware from his arm. There are no WWE NXT Superstars listed in the pools.

The following Superstars are eligible to be drafted on Friday: RAW Women’s Champion Asuka, Sasha Banks, Bianca Belair, Dana Brooke, Humberto Carrillo, Elias, Angel Garza, Drew Gulak, Heavy Machinery (Otis & Tucker), The Hurt Business (WWE United States Champion Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander and MVP), Mickie James, Lucha House Party (Kalisto, Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado), WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, Murphy, Rey & Dominik Mysterio, Naomi, The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods), WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Ricochet, Seth Rollins, Mandy Rose, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax, Shorty G, AJ Styles, Jey Uso.

The following Superstars are eligible to be drafted on Monday: Andrade, SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley, Aleister Black, Alexa Bliss, Daniel Bryan, Carmella, King Corbin, Apollo Crews, Nikki Cross, Dabba-Kato, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode, Erik (of The Viking Raiders), Lacey Evans, Charlotte Flair, Jeff Hardy, Billie Kay, Lana, Keith Lee, The Miz & John Morrison, Riddick Moss, Natalya, Titus O’Neil, Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, WWE 24/7 Champion R-Truth, RETRIBUTION (Mustafa Ali, T-BAR, MACE, SLAPJACK, RECKONING & RETALIATION), Matt Riddle, The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan), Peyton Royce, Arturo Ruas, Sheamus, SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro, RAW Tag Team Champions The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford), Braun Strowman, Tamina, Akira Tozawa, Zelina Vega, Bray Wyatt, WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn.

Stay tuned for updates on the WWE Draft. Below is WWE’s full announcement issued to us today:

WWE Draft rules and Superstar pools set for 2020 edition

The WWE Draft will get underway this Friday, Oct. 9 on SmackDown and conclude Monday, Oct. 12 on Raw. WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon will once again preside over both nights of selections.

As reported by FOX Sports, the rules and Superstar pools have now been finalized for the 2020 WWE Draft.

* Over 60 Male Superstars, Female Superstars and Tag Teams have been placed into the 2020 WWE Draft.
* More than 20 Superstars are eligible to be drafted on Friday night and more than 30 Superstars are eligible to be drafted on Monday night.
* Due to the length of each show, for every two picks that SmackDown selects, Raw will get three picks.
* Tag Teams will count as one pick unless FOX or USA Network, in conjunction with WWE Officials, wants to pick one Superstar from the team.
* Any undrafted Superstars will immediately be declared free agents and able to sign with the brand of their choosing.

WWE Superstars have been split into eligible pools for the Friday and Monday episodes of the WWE Draft. Here is the breakdown of who is available for selection each night:

FRIDAY
Asuka
Sasha Banks
Bianca Belair
Dana Brooke
Humberto Carrillo
Elias
Angel Garza
Drew Gulak
Heavy Machinery (Otis & Tucker)
The Hurt Business (Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander and MVP)
Mickie James
Lucha House Party (Kalisto, Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado)
Drew McIntyre
Murphy
Rey & Dominik Mysterio
Naomi
The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods)
Roman Reigns
Ricochet
Seth Rollins
Mandy Rose
Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
Shorty G
AJ Styles
Jey Uso

MONDAY
Andrade
Bayley
Aleister Black
Alexa Bliss
Daniel Bryan
Carmella
King Corbin
Apollo Crews
Nikki Cross
Dabba-Kato
Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
Erik (of The Viking Raiders)
Lacey Evans
Charlotte Flair
Jeff Hardy
Billie Kay
Lana
Keith Lee
The Miz & John Morrison
Riddick Moss
Natalya
Titus O’Neil
Randy Orton
Kevin Owens
R-Truth
RETRIBUTION (Mustafa Ali, T-BAR, MACE, SLAPJACK, RECKONING & RETALIATION)
Matt Riddle
The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan)
Peyton Royce
Arturo Ruas
Sheamus
Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro
The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
Braun Strowman
Tamina
Akira Tozawa
Zelina Vega
Bray Wyatt
Sami Zayn

Don’t miss this WWE Draft on Friday, Oct. 9 at 8/7 C on FOX and Monday, Oct. 12 at 8/7 C on USA Network to see where your favorite Superstars are headed.

Source: Wrestling Inc.