Daily Update: SmackDown ratings, Jonathan Gresham, Hook

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WON NEWSLETTER: December 13, 2021 Observer Newsletter: Jeff Hardy released by WWE, death of Blackjack Lanza

In this week’s issue: 

  • WWE fires Jeff Hardy
  • The career of Blackjack Lanza
  • Match and performer of the week
  • TripleMania Regia
  • NXT War Games and futures of O’Reilly & Gargano
  • Another WWE star contract expires and what is next
  • Why Reigns vs. Lesnar is on the WWE Day 1 show
  • Movement in ticket sales after Reigns vs. Lesnar was announced
  • WWE NIL program, who are the athletes, their background and what does the program actually entail
  • What WWE’s new signees tell us about what they are looking for regarding men and women headliners 
  • More details on the top stars in WWE and salary structure
  • This past week’s ratings
  • International TV ratings and how WWE & AEW viewership differs by age group in Canada
  • Live attendance, what have AEW & WWE done compared to each other since both went back to touring
  • Holiday time and format changes for WWE & AEW shows
  • Streaming numbers for WWE & AEW
  • Most in-demand tickets right now in pro wrestling
  • Ticket sales for every major upcoming pro wrestling event between now and Royal Rumble
  • The realities of wrestling TV viewing, plus DVR numbers for every major show
  • What young wrestler is getting a megapush due to rumors of them considering leaving
  • All Japan tag team tournament
  • NOAH’s return to Budokan Hall
  • Major announcement at NJPW show Wednesday
  • Update on NJPW Junior heavyweight and tag team tournaments
  • Story behind a 1970s lawsuit that revealed promoter controlled title
  • UFC show, this week’s show, plus business notes
  • UFC star voted into boxing Hall of Fame

Current subscribers click here to read.

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SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • In the fast national ratings, last night’s SmackDown had a notable increase in viewership from the previous week. The show averaged 2.17 million viewers, up from last week’s fast national number of 1.965 million viewers. The first hour averaged 2.219 million viewers and the second hour averaged 2.124 million. The rating in the 18-49 demo was a 0.5. Last week’s SmackDown, which faced competition from the Pac-12 championship game, averaged 2.03 million viewers and a 0.51 rating in 18-49 in the final ratings.
  • After last night’s SmackDown in Los Angeles went off the air, Sasha Banks defeated Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Bianca Belair in a non-title fatal four-way match. Banks rolled up Lynch to get the win.
  • This week’s Talking Smack featured interviews with Toni Storm, Drew McIntyre, and New Day’s Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston.
  • Rey Mysterio turns 47 years old today.
  • Pete Dunne appeared on this week’s episode of WWE After the Bell.
  • WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded Roman Reigns vs. AJ Styles in an Extreme Rules match for the WWE Championship from Extreme Rules 2016, Shawn Michaels vs. Mr. Kennedy from Armageddon 2007, and Bayley vs. Mandy Rose from the March 5, 2018 episode of Raw.

Other Wrestling

  • In an interview with TV Insider (conducted before his Final Battle opponent was changed from ROH World Champion Bandido to Jay Lethal), Jonathan Gresham was asked if there’s any extra pressure going into Final Battle knowing that the show is the end of an era for ROH: “I feel pressure, but I also feel a bit lost. My entire trajectory was always in the back of my mind to be in Ring of Honor and be champion, but I never said that out loud [before]. I always made small goals because my journey to Ring of Honor was difficult. My skin color and height played a huge role in suppressing me from getting a lot of opportunities in the business. I started to feel good about myself, which has led me to be in the main event of an end of an era show. It’s not the ideal situation, but I always wanted to create and have a legacy. When you ask for those things, you have to accept how it’s delivered to you. If I can win the championship at Final Battle, I will make history and cement myself in the legacy of Ring of Honor.”
  • Gresham also spoke about being backstage at an AEW show recently: “I can feel the energy backstage. There were so many moving parts from production to catering. By the way, the catering was amazing; I spent most of my time there. Everyone was very cool, very welcoming. I got a chance to meet CM Punk, which was really cool. I didn’t get the opportunity to meet Bryan Danielson. I didn’t get a chance to meet with Tony Khan. A lot of people think I may have been there to get a job. To be honest, I’m back there to support friends. You never know who you need to meet. For me, it was one of those things where I was in town, and I had nothing to do, so I thought why not? I reached out and they said come on down. I‘m very appreciative of that.”
  • Tony Khan tweeted after Hook’s debut on last night’s Rampage: “SEND HOOK… TO THE MOON BECAUSE HE WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD TONIGHT! #AEWRampage”
  • Khan also officially posted a graphic announcing that Hook is All Elite following his debut.
  • Taz thanked everyone for their kind words about Hook’s debut: “Folks, I really need to say THANK YOU to all of you for the tons of tweets toward me about the kind words about @730hook – it’s just too many to reply to lol!! And yes, it was SO special for me to call his first worldwide TV match. •Tazmission is now – ‘REDRUM’”
  • Hook defeated Fuego Del Sol on last night’s show.
  • Pitchfork spoke to Hook, Taz, and Khan about Hook using Action Bronson’s song “The Chairman’s Intent” for his entrance music.
  • Last night’s Rampage averaged 483,000 viewers in the fast national ratings, with 222,000 of those viewers being in the 18-49 demo. Last week’s episode averaged 499,000 viewers in the final ratings and drew a 0.18 rating in 18-49. Final numbers for Rampage and SmackDown will be out on Monday and should be up from the fast nationals.
  • House of Glory announced that tonight’s Malakai Black vs. Amazing Red match at their For The Glory show is off due to Red suffering an injury. Black will still be appearing at the show: “BREAKING Unfortunately Amazing Red was injured in preparation of his Main Event match with Malakai Black tonight at “For The Glory”. This match will be postponed. We have a NEW Main Event plus a BIG SURPRISE don’t miss it.. Malakai Black WILL BE IN THE BUILDING We wish Amazing Red a speedy recovery, and thank you for your understanding.”
  • Shane Strickland’s Swerve City podcast will make its return tomorrow with Eddie Kingston appearing as the guest.
  • Jay Lethal was interviewed on the latest episode of Talk is Jericho.
  • Ryan Nemeth appeared on AEW Unrestricted this week.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: NXT TakeOver: R Evolution

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