Daily Update: WWE SmackDown ratings, JBL, AEW Collision

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Highlights of the current issue:

  • Match and performer of the week
  • TKO COO Mark Shapiro talks WWE and UFC business and changes they are thinking about
  • Future of the house show business and why breaking even should be okay
  • Injury rate in WWE and AEW and does the schedule make a difference
  • His thoughts on the PFL taking over Bellator
  • Upcoming media rights deals to be made
  • Ideas for UFC’s streaming service
  • How much UFC is making for certain overseas shows as well as WWE
  • When deals are up
  • Change in the look of the WWE ring
  • Running shows in the same city in the same weekend
  • What is the median income of the viewers of all the different promotions
  • What is the level of education of the viewers of all the different promotions
  • What is the ethnic makeup of the viewers of all the different promotions
  • A look at All In 2024 ticket sales
  • A look at NXT Deadline and the interest level
  • A look at the Tokyo Sports MVP and its top candidates and why the person who should win has little chance to win
  • Full coverage of Saturday’s UFC show
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings, with competition, how each segment did, how the audience has changed over the past year and demo breakdowns
  • AEW and former WWE star headed to Arena Mexico
  • Plight of arrested wrestling star ends up in Mexico president press conference
  • Stardom PPV coverage and build to the Sumo Hall show
  • All Japan tag team tournament coverage
  • New Japan tag team tournament coverage
  • AEW star will headline major NOAH show
  • Updates on Okada
  • Notes on Iron Claw movie
  • Former WWE tag champ retires
  • Sukeban coverage
  • Former WWE announcer working with Trump
  • Great match on indie show
  • U.K. promotion running April show in U.S.
  • Major show with big names in U.K. next week
  • TNA return ticket sales
  • More on the firing of Kevin Sullivan by AEW
  • Update on Continental Classic
  • Von Erichs and AEW
  • Tony Khan talks Sting’s retirement and Ric Flair
  • Khan talks future of Bryan Danielson
  • Danielson talks CM Punk
  • Ticket sales to upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • AEW star on show in Vietnam and why
  • Final Battle rundown
  • Why Montreal didn’t do well for AEW
  • Injury updates
  • Update on buys for last two PPVs
  • How much money did the UFC owners pay themselves as compared to the fighters
  • Dana White laughs at Bellator sale to PFL
  • Former UFC champion arrested for allegedly punching his brother
  • Average ticket sales for AEW & WWE
  • More on multiple WWE firings
  • Royal Rumble notes
  • Update on WWE and Giulia
  • Changes in WWE TV schedule
  • Notes on newcomers to NXT
  • Notes on the new WWE signings
  • Rundown of WWE arena events

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

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Saturday Update

WWE

  • Last night’s Tribute to the Troops edition of SmackDown averaged 2.29 million viewers in the overnight ratings, up from last week’s overnight average of 1.95 million. The rating in the 18-49 demo was a 0.6.
  • JBL, who first came up with the idea for Tribute to the Troops, was on commentary for SmackDown last night. JBL filled in for Corey Graves and called the show alongside Michael Cole and Kevin Patrick.
  • College football announcer Brad Nessler made an appearance on SmackDown and joined in on commentary for the Bobby Lashley vs. Karrion Kross United States title number one contender’s tournament match. Nessler is calling today’s Army vs. Navy football game on CBS.
  • An UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW will take place at the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre in Clearwater, Florida on Sunday, January 28. That’s the Sunday of Royal Rumble weekend.
  • Jey Uso spoke to the Daily Mail about how much it means to him to work alongside his family:
          • The best part – I say this all the time – is I’m doing it with my brothers and my family.
          • I say it to Solo sometimes, when you go out there just embrace what’s going on. I mean, being in Madison Square Garden with everyone throwing the ones up – I appreciate it, man.
          • Solo is a top performer. He’s like a sponge, he gets it. All you got to do is tell him one time, it clicks with him. He’s going to go real far in the business, like I said he’s got a little growing to do though.
  • Comicbook.com has an interview with Trick Williams.
  • Santos Escobar, Michin & Zelina Vega, and Austin Theory & Grayson Waller appeared on The SmackDown LowDown.
  • In a video for WWE’s YouTube channel, Lex Luger reacted to some of the greatest moments from his career.
  • WWE legend Kurt Angle turns 55 years old today. Angle thanked everyone for their birthday wishes.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • Jamie Hawn, the victim in an alleged domestic violence case against BJ Whitmer, came forward in an interview with Fox 19 in Kentucky.
  • Peacock’s Twisted Metal series, which features Samoa Joe in a starring role, has been renewed for season two.
  • AEW uploaded post-match promos from Bryan Danielson and Daniel Garcia after Danielson defeated Garcia in a Continental Classic match on Rampage.
  • AEW announced that we’ll hear from Hook on tonight’s episode of Collision. Penta El Zero Miedo & Komander vs. Daddy Magic & Cool Hand Ang is also set.
  • In an interview with Bleacher Report, Jon Moxley discussed title belts and whether they get wrestlers over: “There’s a lot of belts. Belts come and go. They’re what you make them. I’ve never seen a belt get anyone over in my life, personally. I’ve seen people get belts over. They come and go, and they’re devices. If you treat them as important, they become important. If you treat them like a joke, they become a joke. People don’t pack arenas to look at shiny pieces of metal and jewels.”
  • Dax Harwood commented on the announcement that FTR will team with Mark Briscoe against Blackpool Combat Club at ROH Final Battle:
          • I feel safe to say, Cash & I became very close to Jay & Mark. I feel safe to say Jay LOVED his family more than anything. I feel safe to say Mark & Jay considered us family. I feel safe to say, if you ever threatened Jay’s family, he would’ve fought you.
          • This won’t be a match to ‘honor Jay’; he wouldn’t have wanted that. He’d want us to beat the asses these sons of bitches who challenged his family to a fight.
          • Next week, we’ll FIGHT for the Briscoe family name. Hope yall do the same.
          • Dem Top Guys, out!
  • Mark Andrews shared an injury update, noting that he’ll be out of action for at least 12 weeks: “To update everyone – it looks like I have a grade 3 C tendon tear, and will be out of action for atleast 12 weeks. On the bright side, now I will be eating all of the mince pies over Christmas, and have two whole months to work off those bad boys”
  • Ace Austin & Chris Bey are set to challenge Mane Event (Jay Lyon & Midas Black) for the House of Glory Tag Team titles on Saturday, January 6. The match is taking place at House of Glory’s Brace for Impact event in Queens, New York.
  • Frankie Kazarian was a guest on Talk is Jericho.
  • Fite TV is rebranding to TrillerTV starting on December 13.