WWE: When Mass Releases Were Planned, More on Fans Allowed at Tapings, Backstage Ratings

Vince McMahon Planned for Mass Releases Prior to WrestleMania 36

As noted before, WWE released and furloughed a sizable portion of their talent and staff this past April.

ESPN reported that Vince McMahon had been working on plans prior to WrestleMania 36 for mass releases and furloughs to be issued by the company. It was reported that the reason for this decision was due to McMahon wanting to stabilize the company’s finances for an extended period of lower revenues expected from the coronavirus.

WWE managed to resume content production amid the pandemic, airing a fanless but well-received WrestleMania 36 on April 4-5. McMahon was already working on plans for a series of WWE layoffs, furloughs and other cost-cutting moves designed to stabilize the company for an extended period of lower revenues. They were announced April 15.

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More on Fans Being Allowed at TV Tapings This Week

As noted before, WWE invited a select number of fans, who were mostly friends and family of talent, to attend their television tapings for RAW at the Performance Center on Monday. Following the tapings, WWE announced that one of their developmental talent had tested positive for the coronavirus and had been in attendance at their June 9th tapings.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that WWE talent were unhappy over not being told ahead of time that outside individuals would be allowed in the Performance Center for Monday’s television tapings. Johnson reported that most talent felt WWE’s decision was both unfair to them and could have inadvertently exposed someone to the coronavirus.

Johnson also reported that talents’ frustrations towards the situation increased following the company waiting until the end of RAW to announce that a developmental talent had tested positive during last week’s tapings.

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WWE Backstage Ratings – June 16, 2020 – Highest Since November 2019

This past Tuesday’s episode of WWE Backstage on FS1 drew 175,000 viewers, #110 ranking, and a 0.06 key demographic rating. This was up compared to last week’s episode of 112,000 viewers, #147 ranking, and a 0.03 key demographic rating.

This episode featured both Bret Hart appearing as a guest and the return of CM Punk. The episode also was the highest viewed since November 2019.

More Tuesday ratings: ShowBuzz Daily