WWE: TV Network Partners Upset Over Bray Wyatt Release, RAW Notes, Updated SD Ratings

WWE’s TV Network Partners Reportedly Upset Over Bray Wyatt’s Release

As noted before, “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt was released by WWE last week over “budget cut” and rumored creative-related issues.

The Mat Men Wrestling podcast’s Andrew Zarian reported on Twitter that his sources stated that there has been a lot of frustration from WWE’s television network partners over Wyatt’s release. One network source spoken to stated that “Bray’s released is really disappointing and a little scary that top stars are being let go.”

WWE’s television network partners have also been recently frustrated over the company letting a former big name star, CM Punk, potentially sign with a rival promotion.

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Monday’s RAW News & Notes

Following the broadcast of Monday’s episode of RAW in Chicago, Illinois, WWE held a post-show dark tag team match of The New Day vs. Bobby Lashley & MVP, which was won by The New Day.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that neither Randy Orton nor Jeff Hardy were in attendance backstage during Monday’s taping of RAW.

Johnson also reported that no NXT developmental talent were invited backstage for dark match tryouts at this week’s tapings of RAW and WWE Main Event.

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Updated WWE Friday Night SmackDown Ratings

This past Friday’s episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown drew a final viewership of 2,043,000 on FOX, according to Wrestlenomics. This was up compared to the initial overnight number of 1,909,000 viewers on the network.