Tag: FS1

Former WWE Star CM Punk Opens Up About Signing With FOX, If He Would Ever Get Back In The Ring?

Phil Brooks who is known better to wrestling fans under the name of CM Punk was interviewed on the Fox Sports FS1 program WWE Backstage on Tuesday. the studio program which is part of the partnership between World Wrestling Entertainment and Fox Sports announced CM Punk as an analyst for their program last week which covers the happenings in WWE. In 2013 Punk abruptly left WWE after not being happy with the direction of the company and his on-screen character and medical issues. During the interview with WWE Backstage host, Renee Young CM Punk confirmed to viewers that he is not signed directly with WWE but instead signed with Fox Sports as an analyst for the program. Punk also went on to say that this allows him the freedom to openly criticize WWE something he has not been afraid to do in the past.

During his time on WWE programming, CM Punk became one of the most popular characters often referred to as “the voice of the voiceless” often voicing displeasure with WWE and it’s programming and being an anti-hero to fans. it has long been speculated whether CM Punk would ever return to wrestling or WWE but Punk says the opportunity that came up for him to appear on WWE Backstage wasn’t even around 6 months ago.

WWE’s next big event Survivor Series will take place in Chicago Illinois later this month which is the home of CM Punk that fact has left many WWE fans speculating whether or not he will, in fact, appear at the annual event? in regards to a return in the ring CM Punk says that he has learned to never say never.

Watch the full interview below:

Source: Trevor Decker News

CM Punk – WWE Backstage FS1 Role Reportedly A “Done Deal”

It looks like CM Punk will be affiliated with WWE once again.

Punk signing with FOX for the WWE Backstage studio show on FS1 is said to be a “done deal,” according to @fightoracle, who has broken several wrestling TV-related stories in the past.

As we’ve noted, Punk recently tried out for the weekly WWE Backstage studio show after his agent reached out to FOX. Punk’s tryout reportedly went well.

The show premieres at 11pm ET on Tuesday, November 5 with Renee Young and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T as the hosts. It’s been reported that FOX has been testing various formats for the show, and that other personalities will be used with Renee and Booker. Punk could be one of those personalities, but it seems like he would be used better in a prominent role.

It was noted in the new report from @fightoracle that Punk has signed on to work as a commentator on the show.

Punk would be working for FOX and not WWE as this is a show that FOX is running. WWE will obviously have some input and direction, but this is a FOX program. WWE would likely have to sign off on any personalities used. Punk appearing on a WWE-affiliated show each week will create obvious speculation on a WWE ring return, and it’s been noted that fans will expect that return once they see him on the show.

Triple H recently appeared on the Sports Illustrated Podcast and was asked about Punk possibly working on the WWE Backstage show, and if Punk appearing on the show would be something he’d sign off on, and be happy to see.

“Look, I’ve read about that as well,” Triple H said of the Punk – FS1 reports. “You know, to be clear, FOX is doing this show, and it’s their show, and it’s something they’re doing to talk about the WWE Universe and everything going on in it. They’ve had a long list of people they’ve been interviewing and everything, but as far as for us, one of the things I think this company has shown over and over again, is never say never.

“If the opportunity is right for everybody and it’s right for our fans, then we are willing to put the past behind us and move forward. So, I would say, never say never, but that’s also probably a long way from coming to. I don’t know. That’s also a little bit outside of my purview at the moment, but like I said, never say never.”

That same day, Punk appeared on Collider Live and confirmed the tryout reports.

“Yeah I did it,” Punk said. “I’m very much in a position where, ‘Well come talk to me.’

“I’m open to anything,” Punk continued, adding that this does not necessarily include wrestling. “If they come to me with, ‘Hey we want you to wrestle,’ I’ll say, ‘um, I’m not interested’.”

Punk also confirmed that he and his agents are dealing with FOX, not WWE.

“My agents just called me and FOX is throwing everything at this because they spent a lot of money on this and they’re all in to make it work. Originally I thought it was a WWE thing, so I was just like, ‘meh, no.’ But then they said, ‘this is FOX.'”

He continued, “I’m not dealing with anybody in WWE. They explained to me what it was and I love Renee Young. Renee Young is a great person… she’s Canadian, so obviously she’s super over-the-top nice and friendly. I prefaced it with, ‘Guys, I’m not going to come in and dump all over stuff just to dump on it. That’s old Phil. But if it’s bad, I’m not going to be able to pretend it’s anything but bad.’

“So they want to present it like it’s a real sport and just have a show that recaps stuff, just like they do with the NFL, just like the NHL Network would do with hockey games and stuff like that. That’s where we are with that.”

Punk also revealed that no one from WWE has contacted him since the FS1 tryout. He joked, “No, I’m the boogeyman!”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

CM Punk Films Test Material For WWE Show Earlier This Week, More Names FOX Brought In To Try Out

The rumblings on CM Punk and WWE continue.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter has reported how WWE has an impression that Punk wants to be back with the company, but right now it’s nothing they are counting on to happen. This report comes after it was revealed in the summer how Punk’s representative went to FOX to try and push Punk as a co-host of the new “WWE Backstage” studio show on FS1. WWE was not interested in Punk for that role, and it was officially announced this week that the show will be hosted by Renee Young and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T.

In an update, multiple WWE sources have confirmed to PWInsider that Punk was at FOX Studios earlier this week in Los Angeles to discuss a potential on-air role for the WWE Backstage show on FS1, which premieres on Tuesday, November 5 at 11pm ET.

There’s no word yet on what all went down at the meeting, but Punk did do some on-camera testing. Renee was also present for the meeting.

It has not been confirmed that Punk has signed a deal to work on the show. We’ve noted how FOX brought in several WWE and non-WWE personalities to Los Angeles this summer to try out for the show. Taz and WWE Hall of Famer Sean Waltman were also brought in several times over the past few months to try out, according to PWInsider, and it was also reported that Paige and Rey Mysterio were considered. There’s also no word yet on which personalities will be used along with Renee and Booker.

FOX has experimented with different versions of the show and how it will be presented, ranging from 3-5 personalities hosting a panel discussion. A final decision on the format had not been agreed on as of earlier this week.

As noted, FOX will be taping the series each week, not WWE. Punk would technically be working for FOX and not WWE, if he signs on to be a part of the show.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Details On New FOX Sports Studio Show “WWE Backstage”

FOX Sports has announced their new studio show hosted by Renee Young will be called “WWE Backstage” and feature lead analyst Booker T.

The press release states:

SmackDown moves from Tuesdays to Fridays beginning Friday, Oct. 4 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on FOX, but WWE fans can still get their Tuesday night fix with FS1’s WWE BACKSTAGE, television’s only studio show devoted to all things WWE.

The hour-long weekly show offers viewers the latest WWE news every Tuesday at 11:00 PM ET/8:00 PM PT, beginning Tuesday, Nov. 5 on FS1.

Longtime WWE broadcaster Renee Young and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T weigh in on the biggest stories in WWE, and are joined by a rotating cast of guests and personalities, including current and former WWE Superstars.

The show will officially premiere on November 5, but FOX Sports is offering a special preview of WWE Backstage on October 15th following the conclusion of the ALCS Game 3 on FS1.

“WWE BACKSTAGE is a wrestling show for wrestling fans. From hardcore fans to people new to wrestling, we’ll give them a little bit of everything,” Young is quoted as saying in the press release. “It’s going to be fun, it’s going to be loud, we’re going to give them a ton of opinions and I can’t wait to help spread the word about SmackDown coming to FOX.”

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE NXT Reportedly Set For Wednesday Nights Live On FS1

The current plan for the future of WWE NXT is to have the brand air on FS1, each Wednesday night from 8pm until 10pm ET, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

This would put NXT vs. AEW on Wednesday nights as AEW’s weekly TNT TV show premieres on Wednesday, October 2 from 8pm until 10pm ET.

There’s no word yet on when WWE will announce the big move, when the show will premiere on FS1, or if it will remain on the WWE Network on Wednesdays. There’s also no word yet on if the show will air from Full Sail Live, or if they will start traveling for TV each week.

The new report noted that WWE has had plans to bring NXT to FS1 for some time, but they weren’t going to finalize the timeslot until AEW and TNT officially announced their timeslot. The move is obviously not official until WWE makes the announcement, but it’s far enough along that Fox has already informed some affiliates. The deal was apparently agreed on in late June or early July.

The working idea is that NXT will air each week as a live two-hour show. The internal feeling is that a taped show will not work up against AEW, which will air live each week also. WWE officials feel like they have a strong edge over AEW, that being the endless supply of main roster Superstars that they can put on the NXT show whenever they want to. WWE also has another strong advantage and that’s being able to promote the show on RAW and SmackDown, as well as other Fox programming.

During a media call today to promote Saturday’s NXT Takeover event, Triple H discussed NXTpossibly airing on FS1 on Wednesday nights and if it is a move to counter-program AEW.

“Contrary to what I’ve heard, because you hear people speculate and I’ve seen the conversations around FS1 or whatever it is with NXT and all that stuff, and then immediately, people come in with counter-programming talk. We have content all over the place, and if people want to talk about counter-programming and bring that up in the conversation – like, Wednesday has been the home of NXT forever. Right?” Triple H asked. “That’s where it’s sat; it’s been on our network on a Wednesday’s time slot now forever.

“And when other people announce [their show] on Wednesday, you don’t hear talk about counter-programming. You just hear, ‘the announcement’. For us, everything is ‘counter-programming’ and it’s this and it’s that – We plan things long in advance,” Triple H continued. “We worry about doing our business and that’s really what we worry about, so, [I’ve been giving] cryptic talk because there’s a lot of thoughts and possibilities. And that’s the great thing about it is that we can do just about anything, it is about what is best for WWE, and this business, and how does it affect the fans in the way that is the most meaningful to them.”

Regarding the WWE vs. AEW Wednesday Night Wars, the Observer noted that TNT airs in more homes and is a much higher-rated channel, but WWE is obviously the known name brand to the general public, and NXT would be promoted on two of the most-watched cable shows, among other programs.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage News On Fox Wanting Jerry “The King” Lawler To Work On Their WWE FS1 Studio Show

WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler could be one of the hosts of the WWE studio show that is scheduled to begin airing on FS1 later this year, according to a new report from @Wrestlevotes.

The report noted that Fox officials have floated the idea of Lawler being a main part of the show to WWE. The feeling is that Lawler’s image and voice will be familiar to fans, something Fox is looking for, likely to help bring viewers back to the product.

There’s no word yet on who might work with Lawler to host the show, but it was recently reported that Renee Young was “highly likely” to land the role of host.

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross recently revealed that a Fox executive wanted to bring him in as a host of the FS1 show, but that was before he parted ways with the company and signed with AEW.

Triple H revealed back in April that the weekly WWE studio show will air on Fox Sports 1 on Tuesday nights, beginning in the fall. This will be the second WWE-Fox show as SmackDown begins airing Friday nights on the Fox broadcast network on October 4.

The studio show on FS1 will feature discussions on the various WWE happenings, plus appearances by familiar faces from the past and present, according to Triple H. He also said this is something he’s wanted to do for a long time. Below is the clip from April where he revealed the show:

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Co-President On What Fans Can Expect From New FS1 Studio Show, Third Hour Of SmackDown

In addition to SmackDown’s move to FOX this fall, WWE will also be getting an additional hour of programming. A WWE-themed studio show will air on FS1 and WWE Co-President George Barrios spoke more about it during a fireside chat at the 47th Annual J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference in Boston.

“We’re thrilled. We’ve seen around the world the value of these…clip shows, magazine shows, highlight shows. We’ve seen the value of shows like that to continue to drive engagement, not dissimilar to what we do on social platforms. We’re continuing the storytelling and try to do it 24/7 although Vince keeps reminding us we’re missing 10 minutes here and there,” stated Barrios.

“I think the FS1 show will be something similar where we will continue the excitement. I think people are gonna love it and FOX is gonna do an amazing job with it as obviously they have a lot of expertise doing shows like that. I think it’s gonna be great for fans.”

That FS1 show is expected to be in addition to the six hours of live programming that WWE already does every week. With three hours of Raw and two hours of SmackDown, currently that sixth hour is devoted to 205 Live.

Barrios was asked about WWE’s priorities when it comes to allocating content for that sixth hour.

“To your point, for a long, long time we have created live in-ring content across six hours on Monday and Tuesday. It used to be that Raw and SmackDown were two hours and the other two hours went to either ECW, the precursor to the current NXT, Main Event, WWE Superstars. So, this is not something new as we’ve done it forever,” said Barrios.

“Last year, to your point, it was primarily 205 Live, Mixed Match Challenge on Facebook for 20 weeks. So for us, when you say ‘What’s the focus?’ Our content is always one of three things: we’re trying to drive engagement, trying to drive some level of direct monetization or drive some level of indirect monetization as a promotional platform. That doesn’t change so we’re thinking for that sixth hour, across those three parameters what’s the best structure for the content? It’s not a new thing and is something we’re always working through.

“Right now it’s 205 Live… but we’ll see where we come out on that.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

News On Saturday Night’s Main Event And NXT Being A Part Of WWE – FOX Deal

Image result for wwe and fox deal

With WWE officially announcing their new television deal with FOX, there has been a lot of speculation about other programming airing on the network, or their sister channel, FS1. There was a report that Saturday Night’s Main Event, which actually aired twice on FOX in 1992, might return to the network and that an announcement will come later this year or in early 2019. The report added that FOX has also agreed in principle to air NXT on FS1, although the contract hasn’t been signed yet.

On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said that while it’s possible, he was told by people in WWE and FOX that the story of adding Saturday Night’s Main Event is not true. He said that sources on both sides were told that there would not be any “added wrestling programming.”

As far as NXT moving to FS1, Meltzer once again said that while it’s always possible, he was told that there “was no chance.”

“I mean it’s possible,” Meltzer said. “I could only ask, and people that I’ve asked said that there’s no announcements coming [and] there’s nothing new. I mean, is it possible a year from now? Absolutely. Does it make sense? It actually does. If it makes sense, I could see it happening, but I was told not right now.”

During a 30 minute media call last week discussing the new deal, WWE Co-President Michelle Wilson said that they are in talks with FOX about adding additional programming on both FOX Broadcast and FS1, but seemed to suggest that it would not be in-ring content, saying that the programming discussed “would highlight other activities in WWE.” When FOX met with WWE regarding a deal in May, owner Rupert Murdoch had reportedly offered WWE a weekly studio show on FS1.

Source: WrestlingINC