Daily Update: WWE SmackDown ratings, LA Knight, Brett Wayne Sawyer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Observer is out with the following covered:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week from the past two weeks
  • The most detailed story of the AEW/C.M. Punk relationship
  • The honeymoon period
  • The business records
  • The difficulty of the decision to cut ties with him
  • Lots of new information not reported previously
  • The original records set and business success
  • The fight after All Out and its aftermath
  • Realities of pro wrestling
  • Analysis of him going to WWE
  • Support and non-support for him in AEW
  • Punk’s prior two contacts in recent years with WWE about returning
  • Conflict between Punk and other talent
  • The situation with Adam Page
  • The attempts to get everyone working together and why it kept being delayed
  • Details on what happened in the investigations after All In
  • Tony Khan’s speech before the live crowd in Chicago
  • The life and times of Sheik Adnan-Al Kaissie, the Native American babyface torn foreign menace
  • Amateur wrestling, legend in Hawaii, and giant stadium crowds in Iraq including beating Andre the Giant
  • His WWWF tag team title run
  • His AWA run including the biggest crowds in the heyday of the promotion affiliated with Jerry Blackwell and Ken Patera
  • The final run with Sgt. Slaughter
  • Full coverage of Payback, business notes, stories out of the show and match-by-match coverage
  • Full coverage of All Out, highlights, polls, business notes and more
  • UFC weekend coverage from Paris
  • More notes on the formation of a new all-women’s promotion that starts in a few weeks with Japanese stars
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for every wrestling and MMA show, segment-by-segment notes
  • Rocky Romero talks his CMLL run
  • Latest from Arena Mexico
  • Hall of Famer says he hopes to recover from recent operation and have a big retirement match
  • Stardom Five-Star Grand Prix tournament notes
  • Stardom PPV coverage
  • New rookie getting rave reviews
  • All Japan and NOAH have big shows
  • Terry Funk funeral notes
  • Notes on new TV show
  • Big tag team tournament coming
  • More notes on Wembley Stadium attendance
  • Bryan Danielson and Adam Cole talk post All Out
  • Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows
  • AEW value calculated
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • Aussie Open on why they signed with AEW
  • Sports franchise owned by pro wrestling star wins championship
  • Dana White talks Bellator being for sale
  • More on Bellator sale talks
  • Analyst talks where he thinks WWE will wind up on television
  • Gable Steveson not doing world championships and update
  • Merchandise sales for Clash at the Castle and for All in
  • Cena’s drawing power on his return

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

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 Update

WWE

  • Last night’s SmackDown averaged 1.969 million viewers in the fast national ratings, a drop from the 2.28 million the show drew in the fast nationals last week. The rating in the 18-49 demo was a 0.47.
  • During his promo on SmackDown last night, LA Knight took a shot at Kevin Nash. Knight referenced a Nash promo from WCW. “If I was a complete moron, I’d say, ‘Let’s look at that adjective.’ But I’m not a moron,” Knight said. “So I’m going to say let’s look at that verb: play. I didn’t come here to play, Miz.” Nash had called Knight an “absolute ripoff” of The Rock on his podcast this July.
  • Mustafa Ali noted that he would have loved to wrestle in India yesterday at WWE Superstar Spectacle: “My apologies to all the fans in India. Would have loved to perform there. With all the tension that exists between Pakistan and India, I would have loved to shown that a man from both countries can bring us together.”
  • Sami Zayn said the fans in India were probably a top five crowd that he’s ever wrestled in front of: “The Crowd in Hyderabad was absolutely incredible tonight, probably a top 5 crowd I’ve worked for. Deafening. Kevin & I were standing 2 feet apart, screaming, and couldn’t hear each other. Thanks for the love, India. What an honor and a privilege.”
  • On Tuesday’s NXT, WWE will give an update on Von Wagner’s storyline injury: “UPDATE: Due to Von Wagner’s past medical history, very little information has been released. However, we should have an update on Von’s condition by Tuesday.” The most recent NXT episode ended with an angle where the screen cut to black as Bron Breakker struck Wagner in the head with the steel steps.
  • SI FanNation reports that The Dudley Boyz recently signed Legends contracts with WWE. At the tapings for Impact Wrestling’s 1000th episode tonight, The Dudleys are reuniting for their first tag team match in seven years.
  • The Ringer Wrestling Show asked Finn Balor if he’d be interested in working a program with CM Punk if Punk returned to WWE. Balor responded: “I’d be interested in wrestling a broomstick if someone’s going to pay me money. So, show me the money. Money talks.”
  • Balor thinks Dominik Mysterio is the future of the wrestling business:
          • I feel like he was given kind of a warm reception when he came in because he was the son of [a] Hall of Famer, son of Rey Mysterio. He was kind of like accepted because he was the blood of Rey Mysterio. It was like ‘Ah we appreciate you’re doing this for us. Because we love your dad so much, we’re gonna cheer for you too.’
          • Once he stepped out from under that tree and started fending for himself, he’s just been a completely different animal. Not only the growth he’s shown, outside of the ring and on his promos and his character work, but his growth inside of the ring has been absolutely monumental for someone who has had very little training, no NXT experience pretty much. Most of his training has been done on the job, on live TV. This kid is the future of the business, in my opinion.
  • Scarlett and Shotzi are launching a new paranormal series called Chamber of Horrors on WWE’s YouTube channel. It will premiere on Wednesday, September 20: “Do you believe in ghosts? You will. For the last year, we’ve been investigating the most haunted locations, and now we can’t wait to show you some of our favorites…Get in the spirit on September 20th for our new paranormal series Chamber of Horrors!”
  • Grayson Waller was the guest on WWE After the Bell this week.
  • Waller, LA Knight, and Damage CTRL appeared on The SmackDown LowDown.
  • Corey Graves called Gunther the best professional wrestler on the planet right now.
  • NXT wrestler Thea Hail turns 20 years old today. Brian Pillman Jr. turns 30.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • Bobby Fulton announced the passing of Brett Wayne Sawyer: “I’m truly saddened to hear of the passing of Brett Wayne Sawyer! He was the brother of Mad Dog Buzz Sawyer, although both are gone the stories will forever live on. My thoughts and prayers go out for his family, friends and fans during this difficult time!”
  • Dave Meltzer wrote: “Very sorry to hear this news. I remember Brett starting out and being a major star in Oregon and later Sawyer Brothers were a top tag team.”
  • Will Ospreay announced that he and 1ProWrestling have parted ways. Ospreay was the 1PW World Champion:
          • Myself & @1ProWrestling have mutual parted ways.
          • Business is about having trust and seeing what has unfolded with talent & management, it’s evident that the company has issues that need to be addressed & I urge talent to get what is deserved & agreed on.
          • That being said the roster & shows were extremely fun to be a part of because of the talent, the crew & the audience.
          • I have no ill feelings towards 1PW/Steven.
          • I wish them all the best for the future not just professionally but personally.
  • CJ Perry posted that she’ll be on AEW Collision tonight.
  • Jade Cargill thinks Athena should be on AEW Dynamite: “You should be on the Wednesdays. Killing bitches. That’s a fact. Also, the makeup is bomb boo @AthenaPalmer_FG”
  • QT Marshall will defend the AAA Latin American title for PROGRESS Wrestling in London on Sunday, September 24.
  • PROGRESS announced Eddie Kingston vs. Luke Jacobs for their show in London on Sunday, October 22.
  • El Hijo del Vikingo will wrestle his first match in Japan at GCW’s event at Korakuen Hall on Thursday, October 12.