Daily Update: WWE roster returns home from Saudi Arabia

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: AEW’s non-wrestling segment balancing act Joseph Currier looks at AEW’s balance of matches and talking segments over its first four weeks on TNT.

Four weeks into the promotion’s existence on weekly television, one of AEW’s biggest strengths has also been a bit of a balancing act for them.

Alternatives to WWE have long tried to present themselves as having “less talk, more action.” While WWE is still too reliant on a TV format that was carried by Steve Austin and The Rock and struggles without stars of that caliber, there was a time when that was a more valid criticism than it currently is. The days of WWE programming always opening up with a monotonous 20-minute promo segment from a heel authority figure are gone for now. This decade has seen WWE totally overhaul its hiring practices, bringing the level of the company’s in-ring action higher than it’s ever been.

Finding the right balance between non-wrestling segments and matches is vital. But while WWE has had problems with finding the right mix, the biggest issue is that their talking segments too often just haven’t been very good. They’re overly scripted and rarely accomplish their goal of getting fans more interested in the match they’re supposed to be building. Tons of the most iconic moments in pro wrestling history happened outside of matches. People don’t dislike promos — they dislike bad ones.

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WON NEWSLETTER: November 4, 2019 Observer Newsletter: WWE financials, Crown Jewel, more

In a crazy week, we’ve got the most detailed look at the business of pro wrestling in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Our lead story updates the WWE business with the key notes from the quarter, why the stock took a big plunge even though profits were above expectations, the key things the market is worried about with the company, and the very different key things regarding brand popularity that I see as major warning signs. 

We cover in-depth the consumer business, tickets, WWE Network, merchandise and more, good news on television ratings, why we know house shows are down but it’s hard to fairly gauge how much, the decline of NXT live and how every other consumer spending category is doing.

The new issue also covers: 

Crown Jewel, the women’s match and its ramifications and why it went the way it did, why Lesnar vs. Velasquez went the way it did, look at the key stories coming out of the show, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

The build for Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal and on UFC 244 and the ramifications of the key fights, the ticket demand for the show and more on Dwayne Johnson at the show.

John Cena’s philanthropy, changes in Survivor Series plans, original plan for Tyson Fury and why it was changed, Xavier Woods update, HHH looks at how the way they do call-ups from NXT has changed and how it works now, Seth Rollins complains about the fans and what is and isn’t legit, WWE reaction to Smackdown ratings, notes on ticket sales for the five shows in Chicago at the end of the month including AEW television and the demand, DVR viewership for Raw, Hulu viewership for WWE shows, WrestleMania tickets, notes on the next Takeover show, WWE Backstage notes, WWE international TV notes, notes on Carolina on Raw and her long-term role, coach quits PC and new coach hired, all-women’s house show, DVD changes, new name for giant, value of WWE stock and the most-watched shows on the WWE Network, and all the WWE arena events over the past week with results, highlights and business notes.

Kenny Omega entrance video and the Sans connection that appeared on AEW television this week.  It’s a look at what it is and what it isn’t.

Albert Hardie Jr., situation with WWE, the T-shirt, and far more about the situation including his comments, WWE’s comments and much more about it.

Television business and 18-49 demos and look at the expense and future value of the different wrestling television shows, the platform, the night, the rights fees and more for UFC, WWE and AEW.

UFC show from Singapore.

WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.

Ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week. 

ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • After their travel delays in Saudi Arabia, the WWE roster returned to the United States and landed in New York City this afternoon. The other charter that was initially trying to get some wrestlers back in the US in time for SmackDown landed last night.
  • Ali made it home to Chicago tonight after missing his connecting flight from New York and having it delayed.
  • Karl Anderson tweeted today: “Couldn’t pay me enough to go back ..Well that’s not true, I need a second pool, so…..”
  • Luke Harper wrote on Instagram: “Larry, I’m home. I guess I didn’t want it enough to pay for my own charter, but I’m home now. #NotTop20”
  • Pat McAfee said he was contacted by Triple H at 1:42 p.m. yesterday to see if he could make it to Buffalo for SmackDown. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay let McAfee use his plane to fly to the show. McAfee replaced Aiden English on commentary during the episode and called the show with Renee Young and Tom Phillips.
  • Post Wrestling’s John Pollock tweeted that NXT’s charter to Buffalo didn’t land until shortly before SmackDown started: “Was told the NXT charter didn’t land until 7:55 pm and they had a police escort to get them to the building. One person I spoke with added they could not have cut it any closer to get everyone in place for the third segment when Shayna Baszler made her appearance.”
  • Drake Wuertz praised Charles Robinson’s work ethic after last night’s SmackDown: “A LARGE amount of our crew was stuck overseas yesterday. My friend 
  • @WWERobinson took initiative & performed production duties that he normally doesn’t do. So cool to see someone with 23 years of experience in our business have such a work ethic. One of the unsung heroes of @WWE”
  • With the show being taped in Manchester, England, cruiserweights from NXT UK will appear on 205 Live next Friday.
  • Jerry Lawler was the guest picker on ESPN’s College GameDay this week. The show took place on Beale Street in Memphis.
  • Becky Lynch is replacing Alexa Bliss at Ringside Fest in New York City tomorrow.

Pro Wrestling

  • Cody Rhodes confirmed that Shanna is signed with AEW full-time. She made her debut for the promotion against Hikaru Shida on this past Wednesday’s Dynamite.
  • AEW uploaded a post-match interview with SCU’s Scorpio Sky & Frankie Kazarian after they defeated The Lucha Bros to become the promotion’s inaugural Tag Team Champions.
  • The NWA’s Dave Lagana issued a statement regarding comments made by Jim Cornette: “Over the last few days, a situation was brought to our attention in regard to comments made by Jim Cornette that have been taken as making light on the subject of suicide. We’ve addressed the situation internally with Mr. Cornette and made it clear that any comments in regards to this subject, joking or serious, are not endorsed by Lightning One and the National Wrestling Alliance. Mr. Cornette understands the seriousness of this situation and with that he will remain the color commentator for NWA Powerrr. Mental Health and Suicide Prevention are very important to the NWA President Billy Corgan and myself.  If you’re ever needing help or need to speak with someone: The National Suicide Prevention Life Line is 1-800-273-8255 or online at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org”
  • Newsweek interviewed MLW’s Court Bauer ahead of tonight’s Saturday Night SuperFight PPV. Bauer spoke about his end goal for the MLW women’s division: “My goal is to have Major League Women, an entire spin off of MLW, that’s my end goal. There’s Major League Wrestling and then there’s Major League Womens and that’s their own full-hour of programming and they go out and don’t have to share the stage. In terms of programming it’s a different kind of presentation that would be fun to do, so that’s our long-term strategy.”
  • Pro Wrestling NOAH announced that 5,523 people attended their NOAH The Best show at Sumo Hall today.

MMA

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Mankind & Al Snow win WWF Tag Team titles

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