Weekend Roundup: USA Network & WWE Update, Rey Mysterio Injury, Kiera Hogan Update, AEW EVPs Update, Bray Wyatt, Indies

Indie / Misc

Steve C.

Oct 3, 2021

WWE

NBC and YouTube reportedly recently resolved a major carriage rate dispute that would have potentially seen all of NBC’s television networks, including USA Network, removed from YouTube TV, according to PWInsider. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the dispute revolved around NBC’s Peacock service and NBC trying to forcefully push YouTube to agree to bundle deal for their streaming service and pay for Peacock Premium which was for a higher monetary amount than YouTube was willing to spend. Meltzer reported that NBC’s main goal was to artificially inflate Peacock’s subscriber base by counting all of YouTube TV subscribers despite only 5% of NBC’s national television coverage currently come from YouTube TV. Had a deal not being reached, YouTube had stated that they would lower the monthly bill for all YouTube TV subscribers from $64.99 to $54.99 after the removal of NBC Universal owned networks.
WWE recently announced that WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon was ranked second on Forbes’ 2021 World’s Most Influential Chief Marketing Officers list.
PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that WWE recently held internal talks regarding the idea of shopping around their upcoming documentaries to gauge the interest from television networks and streaming services.
PWInsider’s Mike Johnson also reported that the reason why non-WWE commercials have aired during WWE pay-per-view events on NBC’s Peacock service was due to Peacock officials had recently changed their minds over not airing ads during live WWE events. Johnson reported that WWE had no input in Peacock officials decision to air commercials during WWE live events on their service.
Fightful Select reported that recent rumors of Shane McMahon leaving WWE are not true based on their sources within the company. It was reported that their sources stated that McMahon is still under contract with WWE but also admitted that he rarely has been showing up to work in the company’s offices in recent times.
PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that WWE recently moved their scheduled December 13th episode of RAW from The Resch Center in Green Bay, WI to a new location of The Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. The announcement of the location change was recently made by the new host venue of the upcoming show on Twitter.
WWE reportedly generated an attendance of 9,455 (7,200 paid) for their Extreme Rules 2021 event on September 26th in Columbus, Ohio, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. In regards to Google searches, Meltzer reported that the event generated around 200,000 searches and a #13th ranking for that night.
WWE also reportedly generated an attendance of 11,506 (10,000 paid) for their September 24th SmackDown show in Philadelphia, 6,790 for their September 25th house show event in Hersey, PA, 5,473 (3,700 paid) for their September 27th RAW show in Cincinnati, OH, and 200 for their September 28th NXT show in Orlando, FL, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
WWE reportedly has sold around 2,685 tickets for their October 3rd house show event in Lexington, KY, around 4,284 for their October 4th RAW show in Nashville, TN, around 4,613 tickets for their October 8th SmackDown show in San Jose, around 3,480 tickets for their October 9th house show event in Fresno, CA, around 2,705 for their October 11th RAW show in San Francisco, CA, around 6,835 tickets for their November 21st Survivor Series 2021 event in Brooklyn, and around 2,699 tickets for their November 29th RAW show in Long Island, NY, as of this past Thursday, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE recently issued new ring names for several of their NXT developmental talent. Joseph Fatu reportedly will now be known as Sefa Fatu, Jennifer Mitchell Cantu will now be known as Ylisa Leon, Jessica Woyniko will now be known as Tiffany Stratton, and Sanjana George will now be known as Vish Kenya going forward in the company.
WWE recently confirmed that this year’s King of the Ring tournament and the inaugural Queen of the Ring tournament will taking place starting with the October 8th episode of Friday Night SmackDown in San Jose, California.
Fightful Select reported that USA Network’s current working relationship with WWE was stated to be very good based on their sources within the network. It was reported that those spoken to stated that the network enjoys being able to have a unique roster for their RAW brand and hope that WWE’s current brand split will be something that lasts for the long term. In regards to recent reports about FOX being unhappy over WWE’s constant promotion of NBC’s rival Peacock streaming service, one source spoken to within USA Network stated that they feel WWE is doing their best to work with both networks to keep them happy and pointed to WWE holding Hell in a Cell matches on TV as a recent example of WWE not playing favorites. In regards to NXT 2.0, one USA Network source stated that network officials have been very happy with the changes and ratings for WWE’s revamp of their NXT brand. This same source stated that the network has been happy with the “massive jump in viewership” since the start of NXT 2.0 and the production changes made to improve its visual appeal for television. In regards to reports of WWE going into a more edgier direction for NXT 2.0, those spoken to within USA Network stated that network officials are not concerned over potential sponsorship pushback since several of their other shows also contain similar edgier elements and wrestling should be more something that is more accepted within the sports industry.
WWE filed trademarks for “RAW Rebound” and “SmackDown Breakdown” for wrestling and entertainment-related purposes on September 29th to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Fightful Select reported that Rey Mysterio is currently out of action for the company due to him recently suffering from an “undisclosed medical” issue. Mysterio had been scheduled to compete at this past Saturday’s house show event in San Juan, Puerto Rico but was pulled from the event prior to its start.

AEW

During a recent interview with the AEW Unrestricted podcast, CM Punk revealed that his commentary work in AEW was originally meant to just be a one-time deal that ended up turning into him appearing more regularly in AEW’s commentary booth. Punk stated “the commentary thing always started off as a joke. I remember doing commentary, it always seemed like when I was hurt. I remember the first time I ever did commentary, it was for Ian Rotten’s IWA and I had fractured my skull, but I would still go to shows because I was a loser and I had nothing else to do. I remember being there and Dave Prazak and me did commentary and I think we did a whole deathmatch tournament commentary and it was fun and I think we were really good at it. That grew into when I was injured in WWE one time, I would sit in and do commentary. It was something that came naturally to me and everybody is always like, ‘Wow, you’re really good at this.’ We had an idea of me doing commentary on one of Darby’s match and we did that, but I was legit backstage going, ‘I want to do the whole show.’ I’m not trying to take anybody’s job, I just think it’s a cool way to get CM Punk on the show without doing the same things over and over. It’s just a different look. Selfishly, I want to work with Tony, JR, and Excalibur. I got to have a lot of fun and do an angle out of it and made it look different. Doing commentary with those guys is a blast.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
As noted before, Kiera Hogan recently signed an official contract with AEW. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Hogan’s current deal with AEW is not a full-time tier deal and instead is on a per-date type deal with the company.
AEW reportedly generated an attendance of 6,500 (6,100 paid) for their September 29th Dynamite show in Rochester, New York, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
AEW reportedly has sold around 5,881 tickets for their October 6th Dynamite show in Philadelphia, PA, around 1,448 tickets for their October 15th Rampage show in Miami, around 2,150 tickets for their October 16th Dynamite show in Miami, around 4,478 tickets for their October 23rd Dynamite show in Orlando, FL, around 5,250 tickets for their October 27th Dynamite show in Boston, MA, around 4,000 tickets for their November 12th Rampage show in Minneapolis, and around 5,000 tickets for their November 13th Full Gear 2021 event in Minneapolis, MN as of this past Thursday, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
AEW also reportedly has sold around 7,169 tickets for their AEW Dynamite show on December 8th at the UBS Center in Long Island, New York as of this past Thursday, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
During a recent interview with the Toxic Masculinity podcast, Brian Cage revealed that AEW CEO Tony Khan is the only person who actually works in AEW’s Creative team. Cage stated “Creative team? No, it’s just Tony. Tony Khan, who owns (AEW), he does so much anyway, it’s literally just all him. He’ll have some help or input from other guys, some of the EVPs who helped start it like the Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, and Cody Rhodes; they kind of help do their own stuff, but Tony pretty much has the final and only say on the majority of the entire product, which is a little nuts. I do think that it could benefit with some of the people helping out on that. The overall treatment and atmosphere for exceeds, not just WWE, but any place I’ve been. Almost any time I’ve texted Tony, he’s texted me right back. He always listens to my ideas. They don’t always happen, but he takes them into consideration, sometimes they do happy or partially happen. Anytime I need to get on a phone call or am like, ‘Hey, can we chat?’ ‘Yeah, call me tomorrow.’ The fact that we have such easy and direct — at least I’ve been able to have easy and direct access, which has been incredible. I know that would never happen elsewhere.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
AEW EVP’s Kenny Omega, Cody Rhodes, and The Young Bucks are currently rumored to have lost all of their backstage creative power in the company, according to BodySlam.net. Cassidy Haynes reported that his sources within the company stated that while talent are still encouraged to pitch ideas and suggestions, Tony Khan has taken over full control of AEW’s creative direction. It was reported that Rhodes was the only EVP who has regularly attended backstage office meetings while Matt Jackson and his wife Dana mainly have been handling the company’s merchandise department. In regards to Nick Jackson, it was reported that he has been mainly handling the production of AEW’s Being The Elite YouTube series. In regards to Kenny Omega, it was reported that he mainly has been very hands on with the development of AEW’s console video game and their women’s division. It was also reported that while the Young Bucks and Omega have maintained a very close working relationship with each other since the start of the company, Rhodes working relationship with Omega and the Young Bucks has diminished over time.
While responding to a fan question on Twitter, the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota revealed that they are currently interested in hosting a future episode of AEW Dynamite. In a historical note, Mall of America was the location of WCW’s debut episode of Nitro in September 4, 1995.
Scorpio Sky filed a trademark for “Scorpio Sky” for merchandise-related purposes on September 27th to the USPTO.
Wrestlenomics held a recent interview with AEW SVP Chris Harrington and one of the topics discussed included if AEW is missing out on not being more active in courting a more diverse audience for their shows compared to WWE. Harrington stated “I don’t know if we are missing on that opportunity as much as we are actively working all the time to bring in more fans for wrestling. On top of that, Tony Khan would say he has brought in a lot of incredibly talented, diverse faces and given them prominent roles on our show and earned prominent roles on our show because he has a great interest in reflecting all of that. Whether it’s a match where Red Velvet is in there in the middle, or Jade Cargill or other people like that, who we’re developing new opportunities with, we think that’s great. TNT obviously has the NBA, which has a large African-American population that watches it regularly so we know that we’re on a network that addresses a lot of people that they do have. We’ll just continue to grow our share of audience of all people. But I’d certainly say it’s something we think about and we care about. We do think there’s maybe not always been as many opportunities given to everyone equally and it’s good to give them that and opportunities to have some mentorship and discussion so it’s great to have leaders like Mark (Henry). When we put a BLM, Black Lives Matters thing before one of our Dynamites, we had a lot of people say terrible things to us after that, and Tony’s response was really simple, he’s just said, ‘forget them, I have no interest in you if you’re offended by that. I’m setting out on making this statement’. He himself (Tony Khan) who is a child of an immigrant, is from a Pakistani father, that says a lot too about his experience where he thinks about the fact it’s important we give these people opportunities and we reach out to people and say what’s happening and we’re trying to listen, we’re trying to listen that’s for sure.” (Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com)

Indies & Other Wrestling

Impact Wrestling announced that Chelsea Green, Jamie Senegal, and Tasha Steelz are the next official entrants for their Knockouts Knockdown tournament at their upcoming Knockouts Knockdown event on October 9th.
As noted before, Windham Rotunda, former Bray Wyatt in WWE, is currently expected to sign a deal with either Impact Wrestling or AEW. In regards to Impact, Fightful Select reported that their sources close to the situation stated Impact officials still have yet to sign Rotunda to a potential deal nor have the status of the talks moved close for a deal. It was also reported that those close to Rotunda stated that he has not given any indication to where he might sign next for his career.
Game Changer Wrestling announced a new match for the card of their Fight Club event on October 9th in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This will be a title vs. career match of Effy (Internet Championship) vs. Matt Cardona (GCW career).
Josh Barnett recently announced that he will be making an appearance for Game Changer Wrestling’s Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 7 event on October 22nd in Los Angeles, California.
Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling announced that AEW talent Riho will be making an appearance for the company at their Wrestle Princess II event on October 9th in Tokyo, Japan.
Deadline.com reported that former WWE wrestler Nikki Bella will be one of the judges for the upcoming new America’s Got Talent: Extreme reality competition television series.
Adam Scherr, former Braun Strowman in WWE, recently announced on Twitter that he has signed a deal with NBC Sports to be an analyst for their Mr. Olympia events and arm wrestling championship events on the network.
Dean Muhtadi, former Mojo Rawley in WWE, recently announced that he has signed a deal with FS1 to be the new co-host of TMZ Sports series on the network.
As noted before, former XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck is currently suing Vince McMahon over allegations of wrongful termination and is being counter-sued by McMahon over allegations of him breaching the terms of his contract. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that U.S. District Judge Victor Bolden recently made several rulings for both cases. Bolden issued a deadline of February 4, 2022 for both sides to gather up their evidence for a trial that is currently scheduled to take place on March 7, 2022. Bolden also agreed to a request from McMahon’s lawyer Jerry McDevitt to cross-examine Luck and will determine if the results are to be sealed or not. Bolden also rejected a request from Luck’s side to depose McDevitt.
Pro Wrestling Guerilla reportedly generated an attendance of around 600 for their September 26th Threemendous VI event in Los Angeles, California, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
New Japan Pro Wrestling reportedly generated a paid attendance of 903 for their September 25th Autumn Attack themed NJPW Strong tapings in Garland and 841 for their September 26th Autumn Attack themed NJPW Strong tapings in Garland, Texas, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
NJPW also reportedly generated a paid attendance of 816 for their September 24th G1 Climax 2021 event in Tokyo, 2,250 for their September 26th G1 Climax 2021 event in Kobe, 664 for their September 29th G1 Climax 2021 event in Tokyo, and 689 for their September 30th G1 Climax 2021 event in Tokyo, Japan, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
During a recent interview with Tokyo-based news magazine Bunshun, Bushiroad President Takaaki Kidani revealed that Stardom’s Stardom World streaming service currently has around 10,000 total subscribers. Kidani also revealed that about one third of all of Stardom World’s subscribers are from international subscribers. (English translation via Fightful.com)
The National Wrestling Alliance recently announced a new match for the card of their By Any Means Necessary event on October 24th in Oak Grove, Kentucky. This will be a tag team match of The Hex (Marti Belle & Allysin Kay) vs. Kylie Rae & Tootie Lynn.
As noted before, Game Changer Wrestling is currently facing a lawsuit from IndependentWrestling.TV over allegations that GCW breached the terms of their contract that gave them exclusive rights to air GCW events. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that IWTV was granted a motion by the court on September 27th that gave the company more time to legally respond to a recent motion filed by GCW to have the case dismissed.
Indies wrestler Nicole Savoy announced on Twitter that she suffered a bruised sternum injury at Major League Wrestling’s Fightland 2021 event last night in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.