Daily Update: SmackDown ratings, SummerSlam, Kevin Patrick

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • Feds investigating Vince McMahion and more
  • AEW signings Kenny Omega, Young Bucks and Adam Page, lots behind it with comments from any going into details on the reason the decision was made, their pact to stay together and far more
  • WWE financials for quarter two, including why the next TV deal is taking longer to negotiate, how every sector of business is doing, USA Network with and without WWE and looks to the future
  • SummerSlam, why matches were changed, the huge Saturday night of events, ticket sales and more
  • Updating All In, where it stands on all-tie records, two straight weeks of PPV shows, the last time it happened and the history, rumored matches and more
  • G-1 Climax, what everyone needs to advance to the final eight, cards for the rest of the tournament and running down the shows from the past week
  • UFC 291 coverage, the stories behind the stories, what is next, business notes
  • NXT Great American Bash notes with full coverage
  • The life and times of Adrian Street, his death, his start, the famous photo, his U.K. heyday, why he came to the U.S., thinking wrestling was real, meeting Linda and his life after wrestling
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for all the pro wrestling and MMA shows, including what the numbers mean, rankings, segment-by-segment and how shows are doing compared with one year ago.
  • Promotion shooting new star to the top
  • One of the best matches of the year in Mexico
  • Top pro wrestler worked as an Uber driver during the pandemic
  • Why Stardom is bringing back 80s and 90s legends
  • Wrestle Kingdom notes
  • Minoru Suzuki match in a unique location
  • Second generation star celebrates his 50th birthday on show this past week
  • Update on the number of homes and carriage rates for the shows that carry wrestling and MMA
  • More on a new television wrestling promotion starting in the fall
  • More matches on All In weekend in London
  • Who Giulia is likely defending her New Japan Strong title against next
  • Men’s All Japan Strong title match in Defy
  • Business of AEW and its value
  • Tony Khan talks business growth
  • Update on WBD business
  • Health updates on AEW & WWE wrestlers out of action
  • Paul Levesque and Tony Khan exchange words
  • International TV ratings
  • Streaming numbers
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • Top merchandise sellers in WWE & AEW
  • UFC pushing Slap Fighting at commission meeting
  • Dwayne Johnson buys a house for a UFC fighter
  • Backstage fight at show in Japan
  • Notes on Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz
  • Crawford-Spence PPV numbers
  • WWE returns to India and details on that
  • Kevin Owens talks future
  • Former WWE personality working in TV news
  • WWE house show notes

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

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Saturday Update

WWE

  • SmackDown’s SummerSlam go-home show averaged 2.151 million viewers in the fast national ratings last night, down from the 2.166 million that SmackDown drew in the fast nationals last week. The rating in the 18-49 demo was a 0.57, which was up from last week’s 0.54 overnight rating.
  • With a new look wearing suits, The Street Profits attacked The O.C. and Brawling Brutes on SmackDown. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford are now part of a faction with Bobby Lashley.
  • Kid Rock stars in the opening video for tonight’s SummerSlam PPV.
  • I previewed the SummerSlam card for Sports Illustrated and gave my predictions for each match.
  • WWE shared videos of Cody Rhodes, Bayley, Seth Rollins, and Charlotte Flair arriving at SummerSlam. Bayley said IYO SKY, who holds the women’s Money in the Bank briefcase, will win a championship tonight.
  • Kevin Patrick commented on WWE’s commentary shakeup that will see him move to SmackDown. The SmackDown team will now be Michael Cole, Corey Graves & Patrick, while Cole & Wade Barrett will call Raw. Patrick wrote:
          • Pumped to be headed to Friday Night Smackdown on FOX! Will miss my buddies at #WWERaw, but a chance to join @WWEGraves & @MichaelCole on a 3-man desk is an incredible opportunity. Grateful fella. Roll on next Friday. Cheers
  • In an interview with the Daily Mail, Gunther explained why he thinks he’s good at being a champion in wrestling. Gunther responded when asked about his Intercontinental title reign:
          • I’ve enjoyed it a lot and I think it’s something I’m good at. It might sound weird but I think I’m good at being a champion in wrestling. Because I carry myself a certain way, I add to the legacy of the title and I add my own legacy in the same process of that. It’s a big responsibility and I take it very serious, but it’s also very rewarding as well.
  • UFC legend Daniel Cormier has interviews with Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes.
  • Rollins spoke about the personal connection he has to Finn Balor:
          • A lot of people don’t know this, but Finn Balor is the person that trained my wife. He trained Becky Lynch. He brought her into the industry. And so, you know, I owe him a lot on a personal level. I may not have a wife and a family if it wasn’t for him. And so I’m very excited to be able to share the ring – I hope his headspace is where it needs to be. Because I want the best Finn Balor. I do. I want the best Finn Balor because that’s going to bring out the best Seth Rollins, and that’s going to give the people and the World Heavyweight Championship the best matchup possible.
  • Sami Zayn thanked all of the fans who showed up to his meet and greet with Kevin Owens in Detroit today: “To the 850 people who showed up today, THANK YOU. I love the fans. I love meeting them. I love talking to longtime fans & kids who just started watching. I love being in a position where I can help brighten their day. It’s an honor and a privilege to work for you.”
  • The New York Times published a story on Gabbi Tuft, who formerly wrestled as Tyler Reks in WWE.
  • Santos Escobar, AJ Styles, and IYO SKY appeared on The SmackDown LowDown.
  • LA Knight was the guest on WWE After the Bell this week.

AEW/Other Wrestling