Daily Update: WWE SmackDown, Raw, Jon Jones

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • Update on AEW rights negotiations and what new things we know about both the deal that is done and the one being worked on  
  • Analysis of AEW, what ratings it would do on FOX, the value structure, why it won’t happen, FS1 coverage and value
  • The problems AEW faces even if it turns profitable with the new deals
  • A look at All In
  • The Jon Moxley angle
  • A look back at the original angle with Terry Funk, why that backfired and how cultural changes mean this one won’t face the same issues
  • Early PPV number estimates for All Out and the reaction to the show
  • Notes on the next AEW PPV show
  • The life of Kuniaki Kobayashi
  • A look at the heyday of New Japan on television and Tiger Mask vs. Kobayashi
  • The jump to All Japan
  • Kobayashi winning match of the year
  • His biggest career bouts
  • His role in making two Hall of Famers by putting them over in their gimmick debuts
  • Life after pro wrestling and battles with cancer
  • His run during a boom period in Mexico
  • The end of Smackdown on FOX and a look back
  • Analyzing why FOX didn’t bid to keep the show
  • The retirement of Demetrious Johnson
  • The business of UFC Noche
  • CMLL’s 91st anniversary show preview
  • Details on a major story in European wrestling
  • The most detailed look at the ratings this past week
  • International TV ratings
  • Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows
  • Arena Mexico notes
  • JBL angle in Mexico
  • New stars in Dragon Gate
  • NOAH goes to Europe
  • New Japan’s big matches of the past week
  • David Taylor the Magic Man comes out of retirement for World Team Trials
  • One of the 80s greatest technical stars to retire next month
  • Andy Quildan talks European business
  • Wrestler to host new television show
  • UFC TV contract news
  • Why WWE is cutting back on house shows
  • How the style of work in wrestling is going to change in the U.S. because of the decline of house shows
  • Lots of notes on Raw with its move to Netflix
  • Notes on the next few PPV shows
  • Change with NXT with the move to CW

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Monday Update

  • Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio with a ton of topics to talk about including Raw, AEW business, CMLL Anniversary show, a weekend of great bouts and more.
  • The first episode of Smackdown on USA did 1.72 million viewers and an 0.55 in 18-49, which would be excellent and will almost surely be the highest rated entertainment show on cable this week. FOX has Arizona vs. Kansas State football and did 2.58 million/0.60. so  more viewers, slightly lower demo than Smackdown usually was doing. But they’ll probably be able to charge double the ad rates.  Smackdown on USA is unlikely to stay at that level, as this had the return of Roman Reigns and Cody Rhdoes vs. Solo Sikoa for the title in a cage match. But to do this number against college football on both FOX and ESPN is impressive.
  • Rampage did 250,000 viewers and 0.07 in 18-49. It was the first time in a long time it failed to crack the top 25, so that isn’t good.  
  • Notable that Smackdown went five minutes past 10 for the Reigns & Rhodes angle. It does appear to have hurt Rampage in Q1.  
  • Raw tonight is from Portland, OR.  There were 9,600 tickets out as of this morning. CM Punk will be there as the big draw. No Drew McIntyre. Finn Balor & JD McDonagh defend against the New Day, Damien Priest vs. Dominik Mysterio, Braun Strowman vs. Bronson Reed and Zoey Stark vs. Natalya.
  • The NFL came is the Atlanta Falcons vs. Philadelphia Eagles and will only be on ESPN so the number should be way down from last week with ESPN, ABC and ESPN 2.
  • We’re looking for reports from Portland tonight with anything not on the live TV show or notes from being there live such as Main Event results to dave@wrestlingobserver.com
  • Jon Jones said today that his 11/16 fight with Stipe Miocic is most likely his last fight. That’s a blow to UFC since Jones vs. Tom Aspinall is the biggest championship fight UFC could put together.
  • Jake Paul claims he is banned from UFC events so to go to The Sphere he put on a costume to hide who he was. He basically disguised himself as Sami Zayn.
  • Mistico defends the MLW title on a rare Monday night show tonight at Arena Mexico against Mascara Dorada.
  • NXT tomorrow has: An appearance by C.M. Punk, an Ethan Page-Trick Williams contract signing, Lola Vice vs. Jacy Jayne, Tatum Paxley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Rosemary & Wendy Choo, Ashante thee Adonis vs Eddy Thorpe, No Quarter Catch Crew vs. Je’Von Evans & Cedric Alexander and Brooks Jensen vs Dion Lennox.
  • Punk on Instagram wrote:  Hey guys, Love y’l, but friendly reminder to respect privacy and boundaries. Airports are not a meet and greet. If I have to ask you to please stop following me multiple times you have crossed a line. Please stop this. Thank you. (And stop using your children as a shield or an excuse).”
  • The CW will be airing the WrestleMania 40 special that was on Peacock on 9/28 from 8-10 p.m. head to head with Collision. (thanks to Paul Velander)
  • Starlight Kid will work as an anime voice actress on “Kinnikuman: The Perfect Superhuman Origin Arc that airs on 9/22 in Japan.