WWE: Longtime WWE Lawyer Pulls Out of MLW Lawsuit, Baron Corbin NXT Update, A&E WWE Ratings

Longtime WWE Lawyer Jerry McDevitt Pulls Out of MLW Antitrust Lawsuit Over Retirement Reasons

As noted before, longtime WWE lawyer Jerry McDevitt has been working on retirement plans since January of 2022.

Wrestlenomics held a recent interview with McDevitt. One of the topics discussed included McDevitt revealing that he recently dropped out as WWE’s legal representation for the current antitrust lawsuit against the company by Major League Wrestling. McDevitt stated that the reason why he dropped out was due to him current planning to retire by the end of this year and his belief that WWE’s legal case could run into at least 2025.

“As you may know, since early 2022 I have been working towards retirement. I had hoped that the Court would again dismiss MLW’s lawsuit as it did the first time. When it did not, and it became obvious that the case would run into at least 2025 in all probability, I advised my client that I would be wrapping things up by year-end and that it would make sense for them to secure counsel who can go the distance on the case now that discovery will be starting. There is also the chance that I might be a witness given the allegations. I will be 74 this January and it just seems like the right time to make necessary transitions.

We have worked with Paul[,] Weiss on other matters and they are an excellent firm who I will be helping get up to speed.

It has been a great 36-year run with a great Company and Vince [McMahon], and I am very proud of all that we accomplished during that time, and I will continue to help them any way I can.”

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Baron Corbin NXT Status Update

As noted before, Baron Corbin made his surprise return to WWE’s NXT brand this past June. Corbin’s return to NXT is part of WWE’s current plans for main roster talent to make regular appearances on NXT shows going forward for ratings boosting-related reasons.

Dave Meltzer reported in a recent episode of the Wrestling Observer Radio that his sources stated that Corbin’s time in NXT will not be for the short term and instead WWE officials recently moved him as a full-time regular member of their NXT brand.

Meltzer reported that WWE officials currently have plans for several other main roster talent to also be moved over as full-time members for their NXT brand as well.

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A&E WWE Programming Ratings – July 2, 2023

This past Sunday’s WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures episode drew 263,000 viewers on A&E. This episode also drew a 0.07 rating in the 18-49 demographic. This was down from last week episode’s 333,000 viewers and 0.11 key demographic rating. This episode focused on lost Trish Stratus and Alundra Blayze historic memorabilia.

This past Sunday’s Stone Cold Takes America episode drew 181,000 viewers on A&E. This episode also drew a 0.04 rating in the 18-49 demographic. This was down from last week episode’s 200,000 viewers and 0.06 key demographic rating.

Source: Wrestlenomics