Tag: WWE

WWE NXT Tops AEW Dynamite In Viewership For The First Time

It took 8 weeks, but WWE NXT has finally topped AEW Dynamite in viewership.

Wednesday’s NXT drew 916,000 viewers on the USA Network while AEW Dynamite on TNT drew 893,000 viewers, according to Showbuzz Daily. NXT topped Dynamite by 2.6%.

This is the best NXT viewership since the official two-hour USA premiere on October 2. The first two NXT USA episodes had just one hour air on cable, and they drew 1.179 million viewers and 1.006 million viewers. The NXT viewership is likely up due to fans expecting top RAW and SmackDown Superstars to appear for the final Survivor Series build on NXT. As noted, top main roster stars such as Seth Rollins, RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch, Drew McIntyre, The Revival, and others appeared.

AEW still topped NXT in the 18-49 demo, as it ranked #8 in the Cable Top 150 for the 18-49 demo, while NXT ranked #14. AEW ranked #36 in overall viewership, while NXT ranked #35 in viewership.

Last week’s Dynamite episode drew 957,000 viewers and ranked #5 in the Cable Top 150, and #37 in viewership, so it dropped 6.7%. Last week’s NXT episode drew 750,000 viewers and ranked #22 in the Cable Top 150, and #41 in viewership.

AEW drew a 0.39 rating in the 18-49 demographic while NXT drew a 0.30 in the same demo this week. Last week’s AEW episode drew a 0.43 in that demographic while NXT drew a 0.25.

The Democratic Debate on MSNBC topped the night in the 18-49 demographic at #1 with a 1.08 rating, also topping the night in viewership with 6.604 million viewers.

Chicago Med on NBC at 8pm topped the night in viewership on network TV with 8.433 million viewers. The Masked Singer on FOX topped the 18-34 demographic with a 1.2 rating.

To compare, this week’s pro wrestling viewership looks like this so far:

* Monday’s Survivor Series go-home edition of WWE RAW drew an average of 2.128 million viewers, up from last week’s 2.058 million viewers for the taped episode from England. RAW was #11 for the night in viewership on cable, and #4 in the 18-49 demographic on the Cable Top 150, for the fourth week in a row

* Tuesday’s Total Divas season 9 finale on the E! network drew 295,000 viewers, up from last week’s 258,000 viewers. Total Divas ranked #95 on the Cable Top 150 this week with a 0.12 cable rating in the 18-49 demo

* Tuesday’s WWE Backstage episode on FS1 drew 180,000 viewers in the 11pm hour, up from last week’s 100,000 viewers

* Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite on TNT drew 893,000 viewers, down from last week’s 957,000 viewers. Dynamite was #36 for the night in viewership on cable and #8 in the 18-49 demographic on the Cable Top 150 with a 0.39 rating

* Wednesday’s NXT episode on the USA Network drew 916,000 viewers, up from last week’s 750,000 viewers. NXT ranked #35 for the night in viewership on cable, and #14 on the Cable Top 150 with a 0.30 rating in the 18-49 demographic

Below is 2019 NXT Viewership Tracker:

September 18 Episode: 1.179 million viewers (one hour on the USA Network)
September 25 Episode: 1.006 million viewers (one hour on the USA Network)
October 2 Episode: 891,000 viewers (season premiere, both hours on the USA Network)
October 9 Episode: 790,000 viewers
October 16 Episode: 712,000 viewers
October 23 Episode: 698,000 viewers
October 30 Episode: 580,000 viewers with a 0.18 demographic in the 18-49 demographic
November 6 Episode: 813,000 viewers with a 0.30 demographic in the 18-49 demographic
November 13 Episode: 750,000 viewers with a 0.25 demographic in the 18-49 demographic
November 20 Episode: 916,000 viewers

Below is 2019 AEW Dynamite Viewership Tracker:

October 2 Episode: 1.409 million viewers (premiere episode)
October 9 Episode: 1.018 million viewers (on TNT, 122k on truTV)
October 16 Episode: 1.014 million viewers
October 23 Episode: 963,000 viewers
October 30 Episode: 789,000 viewers with a 0.33 rating in the 18-49 demographic
November 6 Episode: 822,000 viewers with a 0.35 rating in the 18-49 demographic
November 13 Episode: 957,000 viewers with a 0.43 rating in the 18-49 demographic (post-Full Gear episode)
November 20 Episode:893,000 viewers

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Jordan Myles (ACH) Has Been Released From WWE

NXT wrestler Jordan Myles aka ACH has officially been released from WWE.

WWE confirms that Myles is no longer under contract at this time, though no other details have been made available.

The 31-year-old first signed with in February of this year. He then took part in the NXT Breakout Tournament, which he won. Myles went on to face NXT champ Adam Cole in a title match.

ACH began taking bookings. His first post-WWE booking is scheduled to take place tonight in Texas.

The wrestler went public with his issues last month, speaking out against the company due to a racially insensitive shirt they released for him.

ACH is also booked to wrestle for the Wrestler Revolver in December.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Alicia Fox Addresses Recovery From Alcoholism, Says She’s A Few Months Sober

WWE star Alicia Fox has come out saying she’s a few months sober after going into recovery for alcoholism.

The 33-year-old wrestler went public about her situation via Instagram, writing:

for a WHILE I thought I could avoid addressing my #recovery of alcohol. I am human, and realized it was time to be #transparent and #honest w you #socialmedia now written on #cyberconcrete

TODAY, Im a few months #sober, I’ve creatively navigated my emotions, snagged some new skills AND I WANT TO HELP!!! Ive learned that alcoholism is life threatening situation and support is available!! I figured I can sharing my insight and BE of SERVICE to anyone finding it hard to believe that ‘YOU ARE IMPORTANT’ and deserve an opportunity to learn how to live a clean and sober life… it would be an honor to share my #hope, #strength, and #experience

SNAIL MAIL ME at @resilienceamongmankind 3948 3rd Street South suite #442; Jacksonville Beach 32250 I’m inviting everyone to a safe social place to discuss and expand understanding of our transforming minds  #fancyasfox #foxyladies are in #recovery too!! Ok! Thx for allowing me get that off my chest!!

Fox last wrestled on WWE TV in April. She also made an appearance during the Raw reunion special.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5GedjsHmNV/?utm_source=ig_embed

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE NXT Preview 11/20/19

Tonight’s WWE NXT episode will air live from the NXT Arena at Full Sail University with the final hype for Saturday’s “Takeover: WarGames, plus hype for Sunday’s WWE Survivor Series.

  • Dominik Dijakovic and Adam Cole to battle in Ladder Match for WarGames advantage
  • Will Raw or SmackDown take Triple H up on his offer?
  • The Undisputed ERA take on The Revival in tag team action

The New Day’s WWE Podcast Confirmed

A new WWE podcast from SmackDown Tag Team Champion The New Day is now official. WWE recently filed to trademark “The New Day: Feel The Power” for podcast use, which began the speculation on a new show for Big E, Kofi Kingston and the injured Xavier Woods.

The podcast was confirmed during this week’s “After The Bell” podcast with host Corey Graves. “Feel The Power” will premiere on Monday, December 2. Graves said The New Day will discuss “anything and everything from inside and outside” of the ring each week. He also indicated that The New Day’s podcast will likely come out after his own podcast drops each week. This looks to be the second podcast on the official WWE Podcast Network that has been planned.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Ember Moon Revealed Torn Achilles Injury On WWE Backstage

Ember Moon appeared on tonight’s WWE Backstage and revealed she’ll be out indefinitely with a torn Achilles. Moon had been out of action since October.

Moon noted that she’s not sure when she’ll be back in the ring as doctors have given her a wide range of return dates.

You can see her full comments in the video below.

https://twitter.com/WWEonFOX/status/1197002537599193089

 

Randy Orton And AEW President Tony Khan Spar On Twitter After Khan Responded To a CM Punk Tweet

Tensions between WWE and AEW escalated on Monday when Randy Orton went back back and forth on social media with All Elite Wrestling President Tony Khan.

Things kicked off earlier today when CM Punk tagged Khan in a tweet promoting his appearance on tomorrow’s episode of WWE Backstage. “It IS weird trying to catch up on 5+ years of rasslin’, I’m doing what I can. There’s bright spots, mostly women from what I can tell. There’s BAD too. I’m gonna talk about it, and no one is safe. Join us,” he wrote.

Tony Khan responded hours later saying, “No one is safe? Sounds like a plane full of wrestlers in Saudi Arabia!” This was obviously in reference to WWE’s recent travel delays after Crown Jewel.

“What’s that whole thing about glass houses and stones,” Orton replied along with a news article on allegations made against Tony’s father Shahid Khan, who funded the promotion.

Tony wrote back: “I thought you only tagged me in your posts when you were grasping for leverage. That article’s over a year old + is about baseless claims made about my dad years ago. That’s the best you can do, nothing. Meanwhile in the time since that was written, you used the N word on twitch.”

And lastly, Randy ended the night firing back with: “Jacksonville Dixie: Why else would I tag you? If I wanted to talk business, I’d call your father.” He also added a kissy-face emoji.

You can see the tweets below:

WWE RAW Preview 11/18/19

Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts with the final red brand hype for Sunday’s Survivor Series pay-per-view.

  • Seth Rollins to wager his Survivor Series berth against Andrade on Raw
  • Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair to compete in tag team action on Raw
  • Rey Mysterio to appear live on Raw before challenging Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series
  • Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins to challenge Raw Tag Team Champions The Viking Raiders
  • Natalya to battle WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Asuka

Earl Hebner Says “You Feel Like A Prisoner” When You Work For WWE

Earl Hebner is perhaps the most famous wrestling referee of all-time. He’s been in the business for over 40 years and worked for Jim Crockett Promotions/NWA from 1977 to 1988, WWE from 1988 to 2005 and TNA/Impact Wrestling from 2005 to 2017  He is now a part of AEW and Hebner talked about the differences between AEW and WWE when he spoke to Wrestling Inc. on their WINCLY podcast.

“It doesn’t feel like you’re in prison here,” Hebner said of AEW as compared to WWE. “You’ve got more leeway and it’s more relaxing. It felt like you were in a prisoner in WWE but not in AEW.

“This is just a more laid back company and at my age, this is great for me.”

Hebner has been involved in many memorable wrestling matches and moments. He was asked what he would pick as the highlights of his career.

“The first one would be Saturday Night Main Event when I screwed Hogan. And the next one would be the Bret Hart deal [Montreal Screwjob],” Hebner said before being asked why he considers that controversial match a highlight.

“It made a name for me…”

“I don’t think they are ever gonna let that go. It’s gotta be over 20 years ago… [The fans] wanna torture me but I’m torturing them!”

WWE officiating, and their product in general, came under fire recently with the Seth Rollins-Bray Wyatt Hell in a Cell match. Hebner was blunt when asked what he thought of that controversial finish.

“I don’t watch their product,” stated Hebner.

Earl Hebner can be seen every Wednesday night on TNT, 8/7c, as part of AEW Dynamite. Hebner’s full interview with Wrestling Inc aired as part a recent episode of our WINCLY podcast. It can be heard via the embedded audio player at the bottom of this post, or via the video player at the top.

You can check out past episodes of the WINCLY here. Subscribe to Wrestling Inc. Audio on iTunes or Google Play. Listen to the show via Spotify here or through TuneIn here.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Friday Night SmackDown 11/15/19

Tonight’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown and WWE 205 Live will take place from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia as the road to Survivor Series continues.

  • The New Day and The Revival set for championship rematch
  • Daniel Bryan joins The Miz for “Miz TV”
  • Nikki Cross takes on Bayley for the right to join Team SmackDown at Survivor Series
  • Mustafa Ali & Shorty G face Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode with Survivor Series spots on the line
  • Lacey Evans joins Team SmackDown for Survivor Series

There will be an appearance by WWE Universal Champion “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt.