This week’s episode of NXT, the go-home episode for Stand & Deliver, drew 620,000 viewers, up 70,000 viewers from last week’s broadcast. The show did a 0.16 rating in the 18-49 demo, up 0.04 from the prior week, and placed #11 on the top 50 cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
No plans for Pat McAfee to be at WrestleMania says Nick Khan
Speaking on The Marchand & Ourand Sports Media Podcast, WWE CEO Nick Khan said that there are no plans for Pat McAfee to be at this weekend’s WrestleMania in Los Angeles.
Khan put over McAfee big time as well as his drawing power for young viewers, but noted that he is extremely busy with many different projects in his life right now.
“He’ll determine, ultimately, where he wants his home to be and our hope is that he does more with us,” Khan said.
McAfee did not return to the Smackdown announcing booth as it was originally planned last year after he took a leave of absence from his WWE duties to do ESPN’s College Gameday. McAfee did appear as a surprise at the beginning of the Royal Rumble and joined Michael Cole and Corey Graves for commentary for the whole night.
The former NFL player admitted that there were a lot of chatter about him and his future in WWE but said that his story in WWE is not over.
Record number of sponsorship revenue for WrestleMania 39
Speaking to the Associated Press, WWE Senior Vice President and Head of Global Sales and Partnerships Craig Stimmel said that WrestleMania 39 has attracted a record number of sponsorship revenue and has doubled to more than $20 million.
This figure represents a new all-time high for any WWE event in its history.
Stimmel said WWE will be incorporating brands into WrestleMania 39 in a variety of ways, including a match sponsorship, a “blurring of the fourth wall,” and an augmented reality experience.
“We try to find the perfect marriage of brand and story,” Stimmel noted, adding that they go all out for WrestleMania since this is WWE’s version of the Super Bowl.
Marketing experts lauded WWE for their impressive reach and ability to connect with their worldwide audience of all ages. WWE’s massive presence on social media also did not go unnoticed, with the company surpassing 16 billion social video views in the final three months of 2022 along with their 94 million YouTube subscribers and 20 million followers on TikTok.
WWE had more than 7.5 billion digital and social media views in January and February of this year, up 15% from the same time frame a year ago.
John Cena with a chance to tie Ric Flair’s U.S. title record
John Cena and Ric Flair are tied at 16-time world championships but there’s one title that Flair has the edge over Cena: the United States title. As of now, Flair has a total of six reigns while Cena is at five, and come Saturday, the leader of the Cenation has the ability to match Flair once again.
The “Nature Boy” first won the title in July 1977, defeating Bobo Brazil. He won it again in April 1978 from Mr. Wrestling. In April 1979 he won it from Ricky Steamboat and the fourth reign came in April 1980 after beating Jimmy Snuka. Reign number five came in November 1980 after he defeated Greg Valentine and his last one came in July 1996 after he beat Konnan.
John Cena won it first in March 2004 at WrestleMania against Big Show. His second reign came in October 2004 after he beat Booker T. Number three was a month later after he beat Carlito. At WrestleMania 31 in March 2015, he beat Rusev for reign number four and his fifth and last one was at September 2015 after he defeated Seth Rollins.
Austin Theory now stands in his way. Cena already won the United States title twice at WrestleMania, with his first one being at WrestleMania XX in the opening match. Fast forward 19 years later, and Cena is again in the opening match for the same title.
Will history repeat itself?
WWE Superstars meet and greets schedule for WrestleMania weekend
Several WWE Superstars will be doing meet and greets at the Superstore location in Los Angeles over the next few days. These are not free and a ticket is required for each Superstar.
On Friday, Asuka and Bayley will be there at 1PM and 2PM respectively. On Saturday, Drew McIntyre and Bianca Belair will start at 11AM, The Undertaker at 12:30PM, and Liv Morgan takes stage at 10PM following WrestleMania. On Sunday it’s Rey Mysterio at 9:30AM, and Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio at 11AM.
Ticket prices vary and can be purchased at fitermansports.com.
All meet and greets will be held at the West Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Other meet and greets will be Bianca Belair, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins today at the Shoe Palace in Inglewood at 12:30PM and Rey Mysterio also today at 2PM at the Walmart Store in Rosemead. These are free and on first-come first-served basis.
Adam Cole victorious in first match after nine months…bay bay!
After nine long months, Adam Cole successfully made his return to the ring last night on Dynamite, defeating Daniel Garcia in the main event of the show.
It was Cole’s first match since the June Forbidden Door pay-per-view four-way match where he suffered a concussion in the ring. Cole defeated Garcia after hitting the Panama Sunrise and his Boom finisher.
After the match, his girlfriend Dr. Britt Baker came out to the ring to kiss Cole as streamers filled the ring in celebration. But the celebration was soon cut short as Cole’s next feud was seemingly teased with the arrival of Chris Jericho.
Jericho came out and helped Garcia to the back before turning his head around to look at Cole.
WrestleMania Superstore in Los Angeles opens today
The massive WrestleMania Superstore opens today in downtown at the Los Angeles Convention Center West Hall. The store will feature the largest collection of WrestleMania merchandise under one roof with items such as official championship replica titles, exclusive WrestleMania merchandise, Superstar apparel, signed memorabilia and more!
In addition, fans will be able to view WWE memorabilia displays highlighting iconic WWE moments, memories and matches from past and present. They can also play WWE 2K23 at the 2K Gaming Lounge, see the latest WWE action figures at the Mattel Elite 100 Activation and be a part of Superstar appearances throughout the weekend.
The hours of operation are Noon to Midnight today and 9AM to Midnight on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
Meanwhile, fans can also order WWE merchandise from WWE Shop and have it delivered to their hotel in Los Angeles. Purchasing online usually carries discounts and cheaper prices.
Bryan Danielson returns, attacks Kenny Omega on Dynamite
Bryan Danielson returned to AEW last night on Dynamite, ending a near-month absence from television following his 60-minute iron man match loss against MJF at Revolution and his subsequent speech on the post-PPV Dynamite.
Danielson joined his fellow Blackpool Combat Club members in beating Kenny Omega after Omega successfully defended his IWGP United States title against Jeff Cobb.
Danielson’s intentions looked different at the beginning, giving the impression that he was there to help Omega and told his BCC mates to exit the ring. But it was all a swerve as Danielson hit Omega with the busaiku knee. He was then joined by Yuta, Castagnoli, and Moxley in continuing the beatdown.
The two popular stars faced off once before in AEW, another iron man match at the Dynamite Grand Slam in September 2021 after Danielson joined AEW.
Dynamite TV report for 03/29/2023
AEW Dynamite tonight comes to us from the Chaifetz Arena in St Louis, MO. After last week drawing 954,000 & a 0.33 in the 18-49 demo. That’s the joint second-best this year.
******
Matt Hardy vs Jack Perry
Backstory: Presumably they’ll link Hook’s feud with the Firm into this, reuniting – shudder - Junglehook
Starting with slow, technical wrestling, Hardy grabbed a headlock, shoulder tackle, the crowd very quiet but coming alive for certain moves and moments. A Perry dropkick led to Hardy bailing outside where Ethan Page got in the way at first, allowing Hardy to snatch Perry into a side effect out of a tope.
As they showed Darby and Sammy (with Tay on his lap) watching backstage. Just in time to miss Perry being flung over the barricade for our AEW production-snafu of the week.
Perry came back via double sledge off the barricade, the pair fighting on the apron, exchanging rights until Hardy crumpled but popped up to land another side effect, this one dropping Perry onto the hardest part of the ring.
Bringing the break.
This crowd is either very small or a ‘spots and stars’ audience.
With Perry down, he rebounded straight away, smashing through Hardy with a lariat, launching rights, a dropkick, firing up to a nice response from the crowd.
Ethan Page hit the apron because history’s proven there are no other ways for heels to cheat. Hardy took advantage via superplex for two, as Page complained vigorously to Aubrey. Leading to Action Bronson blaring as Hook arrived to even the odds and, more importantly, prove me right 😉. Gotta take the wins when they come.
Hook ducked, Page took out Hardy, Perry dove out onto Hardy, taking him back inside where the pace quickened. As Perry reversed a Twist of Fate into a backslide for 2, countered out of a side effect via armdrag, hit a flatliner then a running elbow to the back of the head (a bit like the Hidden Blade) for the win.
Much prefer his poisonrana as a finish.
Winner: Jack Perry
*****
Instantly, the champ’s music brought Max out to a nice response, Hook having brawled backstage with Page. ‘A boil on the butt of pro wrestling,’ muttered Schiavone.
MJF said interrupting his Bar Mitzvah was ‘a little Kanye’.
Where Perry had the audacity to say Max had it easy. ‘You’re right!’ He barely wrestles, collects a fat cheque while Perry’s career has been ‘mid’. Though he gave Perry credit for how hard he works and the quality of his matches.
But he doesn’t recall the fans ever thanking Jungle Boy. Or him being rewarded with much tv time. So he has the right to be pissed, but only at himself.
MJF said he felt he’d met his equal last time they met, the guy who’d be competing with him for the rest of his career. Who he respected. So that night he shook Perry’s hand and advised him that he had all the skills and potential but ‘nice guys always finish last’.
If he wanted to be as big as MJF, he had to care only about himself and ditch his friends. MJF pointed out how all of his friends held him back, and his new friend Hook would do the same. The two of them could’ve run AEW but Perry chose the fans instead.
They might chant his name, but where’s it gotten him? While MJF is the champ, ‘you’re still just Jungle Boy.’
Responding, Perry said that in the past he thought the two of them could be friends and in some ways he wishes he was like Max – the talking ability, the confidence, the self-focus. Before increasingly insulting the champ – the lack of scruples – ‘the most selfish narcissistic piece of s*** in this place!’
‘Piece of s***!’ chant.
‘That ain’t me’, and if his road to the top is harder because of it, then so be it. At least he won’t wake up alone every day and hate who he sees in the mirror.
‘That was really good! Give it up for Jungle Boy!’ Exclaimed Max, noting that it only took four years for him to learn how to talk. Max too thought they could be friends but not anymore: Perry’s a massive disappointment, weak like all the fans.
He then said Anna Jay told him Perry was weak between the knees too.
Using the distraction, MJF gouged the eyes, Perry turned the tables, stomping a mudhole in the corner then snapping off a lariat which left the champ on his ass, setting up his elbow strike until Max ran for his life.
Really enjoying these young guys’ involvement in the title picture. A section of the crowd were not especially behind Perry – giving him the What? treatment. But most rallied to him, certainly by the end.
And MJF was superb here on the mic, doing a nice job simultaneously putting over and trying to manipulate Perry.
Wade Keller this week talked about Tony Khan focusing on younger guys who really want to be in the company. Explaining why the Gunns are tag champs and etc. This seems to fit that bill.
*****
The announcers ran through the card. Cole/Garcia will main event.
*****
Don Callis backstage with Omega. Callis claimed he’d slipped last week because of Hangman’s strength, wondering why Kenny wouldn’t trust him. Callis left to apologize to Page while Omega got ready for Jeff Cobb.
*****
Footage of 2.0 taking the Acclaimed out on the town. They went to a hockey game, got sundaes/milkshakes, went to a restaurant and rode the carousel.
‘Are you in or out?’
The Acclaimed promised to make a decision next Wednesday. Looking at the bill, 2.0 really hoped this was worth it
Dalton Castle & the Boys vs BCC
Backstory: None
And now, it’s time for the very best part of any show, any moment now or in the history of planet earth: ladies and gentlemen Dalton Castle!
The BCC attacked during Castle’s entrance, beating he and the boys around ringside. Claudio flung Brandon Tate off the top buckle as Mox and Wheeler beat the other two around ringside. Castagnoli quickly pinned Tate after a Ricola Bomb.
Claudio has new music. At least as far as I’m aware.
The BCC left through the crowd.
You’ll get those silly geese next time Dalton!
Winner: BCC
They showed footage of the Elite angle last week, including highlights of Omega/Vikingo. Before pushing Omega/Cobb for later tonight, highlighting how dangerous Cobb is.
Marvez asked Hangman about the Bucks – Page said they’ve been better, referring to Nick’s fictitious injury, and Matt’s very real partially-torn biceps.
Marvez then asked who attacked them. An incredulous Page said it was obviously the BCC. As Callis interrupted to apologize to Page, offering a handshake.
Before Hangman could accept, the BCC blindsided him, Mox took out Callis too with one shot. But only one. Leaving it open that he ‘took one for the team’ if he’s revealed to be behind this.
A nice simmer to this now.
(Callis was legitimately injured here, cutting his head after landing badly)
Kenny Omega vs Jeff Cobb, IWGP US Title
Backstory: Cobb had vowed to come after Omega tonight and been copying his moves in Japan before the match was made official
Schiavone told Kenny right before he went out that Callis & Page were attacked. Leaving Omega twisted for the second week in a row as he headed out.
Which he did to his NJPW theme. Sure this is blasphemy to some but Battle Cry’s much better.
Loud ‘Kenny’ chant as the former champ reached the ring and another before the bout started.
Straight to a lockup, Kenny got the rope break, Cobb did the ‘goodbye, goodnight’ gunshot as Omega grabbed a headlock then hit a shoulder block which didn’t budge the big man.
Sliding under, he looked for a slam, Cobb countered by targeting Omega’s taped ribs, Omega snapped back via hurracanrana then took flight via terminator dive.
The crowd seriously into the former AEW champ.
A kintaro crusher followed until Omega buckled under the weight of another attempted slam. Cobb immediately responded via delayed suplex, slowing things down, working the ribs via shots and irish-whipping Omega hard into the buckle.
Seeking space, Kenny headed outside, Cobb followed, a chop-fight broke out until Cobb shoved him into the barricade ribs-first. Briefly fighting back, Omega threw more chops but was dropped on the outside to bring the break.
Good match so far, the simple story of strength vs speed; Cobb looking to slow down his foe via attacking the ribs.
Having the life squeezed out of him via bearhug, Omega threw rights and knees to free himself, got a boot up in the corner then bagged a quick two. Before looking to haul the big man up for the OWA. Cobb instead hit a twisting side slam.
Rising slowly, Omega was crushed in the corner then snatched out of the air but landed on his feet out of a German: polish hammer, a second blocked, Omega slipped behind, a backslide setting up a v-trigger for two.
Goodbye, goodnight ensured Cobb was ready to counter with a very impressive dropkick. Before taking Omega up onto his shoulders: Kenny slipped behind, pair of snapdragons, the crowd rising, Omega kicked away a right-hand, hit a vicious v trigger, another snapdragon; Cobb hit back with a massive lariat to leave both down and out.
The crowd exploded in applause.
Struggling up, they exchanged rights in the middle, into chops, yay/boo until Cobb aimed at the gut then squashed Kenny in the corner. Before raising him up onto the buckle. Omega fired back with elbows and a headbutt, Cobb threw a vicious one of his own then hit an avalanche delayed suplex.
Count of two, quick standing moonsault from Cobb for another two slaps of the mat.
Cobb again mimicked goodbye, goodnight, readied the v-trigger, hit it, raising Omega up for the OWA to oohs from the crowd. Kenny slipped out but again couldn’t lift Cobb, who readied Tour of the Islands.
Omega slipped out again, v-trigger, another to the back of the head in the ropes, before using them to help lift the big man up for the OWA, the crowd absolutely on their feet as Omega retained.
This was fantastic. As spectacular as last week was, I liked this quite a bit better. Cobb’s very impressive, moves incredibly for his size.
I was already questioning the decision to have Cole/Garcia main event. Both the quality of this and the crowd response multiplied that considerably. Omega was seen as a megastar by these fans.
Winner: Kenny Omega
*****
With Omega struggling on the mat, the BCC sharks surrounded the ring, a cowboy s*** chant played in the crowd until Bryan Danielson’s music hit. Danielson guarded the ring against the BCC boys.
The crowd Yes’d themselves silly until Danielson offered a hand to help Omega up, the second he turned his back preparing a busaiku knee, into the LeBell Lock as the rest of the BCC stomped the crap out of Kenny.
Vociferous, thunderous boos.
The BCC posed together as the crowd continued to jeer the heels. Danielson laughed and screamed at a prone Omega then basked in more boos.
Altogether, an absolutely killer segment. Loved this.
Assuming Matt can go, this should be an all-timer in the cage. Though I’m hoping we get some singles and tags out of it too. Nearly all these guys are phenomenal and there are lots of combos we’ve never seen or not seen for years in the case of Omega/Moxley.
*****
Cutting away not immediately but still a little too quickly, they replayed FTR vowing to quit AEW if they don’t win the belts next week. Then hyped the match. Good video.
Cut to the Gunns saying FTR are one of the best teams of their generation. Austin said they used to be their heroes but they now hate and don’t respect them. After the Gunns did what they did to their own dad, what do FTR think they’ll do to them? Ending by noting that FTR’s tagline is finally fitting: ‘Top Guys… out’.
Nice final line and Austin’s delivery was very good. Colten still needs work.
Orange Cassidy vs the Butcher, International Title
Backstory: Cassidy’s team beat Butcher’s last week in trios action
In a valiant attempt to make this even less interesting, they did the stupidly dumb illegal attack ‘before the bell’. Though Blade was at least thrown out for his efforts. If that’s the only way to make it seem like an opponent might have a tiny chance at winning, suggest you book a different match.
Angry, Cassidy flew out the blocks looking for the Punch then bounced Butcher’s head off the pads until being caught and flung ribs-first onto the top buckle. Stalking Cassidy, Butcher stomped him outside then batted him into the barricades.
Break.
The crowd very into Orange.
A Cassidy tornado ddt attempt was turned into a clubbing lariat as Butcher bagged two. Then stepped into a Texas clover leaf. The announcers tried their best to make Butcher seem a credible threat by remarking on his record in battle royals. If only there were twenty other guys in this.
Orange raked the eyes to free himself, missed a Punch, Butcher hit a chokeslam-backbreaker, Cassidy responded with stundog millionaire and finally fought through to hit a tornado ddt.
The crowd were mostly dead at Butcher being so long on offense.
Cassidy hit a diving ddt from the top for two.
Butcher grabbed the ref, Blade came back to hit Cassidy with a crowbar. The announcers tried very hard to convince us Butcher would now win as the Best Friends came out to take out Blade, then hit Butcher with the ref still down. Cassidy hit the Punch and Beach Break to win.
Why on earth does Butcher need protecting? Neither he or his team ever win.
The announcers said all these defences were catching up to Cassidy while remarking on his less-than-honorable means of winning.
Winner: Orange Cassidy
Then said Jade has been ‘beside herself’ since Taya arrived. Jade ranted that it was an outrage Taya still used ‘Jaded’ last Rampage. They now have a ‘legal processor’ who will serve a court order if Valkyrie uses the move again this Friday.
Jade’s ‘that b****’ you’ll be shocked to hear.
She ordered her flunkies to get the job done.
*****
Juice Robinson, who’s ‘real mad’, said ‘Action Andretti’ so often even Vince McMahon would approve of the lack of pronouns.
Promising that everything he did to ‘Action Andretti’ on Friday he was really doing to Ricky Starks.
Robinson was over the top as usual.
Ruby Soho vs Willow Nightingale
Backstory: They used to be partners three months ago, a sisterhood so close it took till now for them to remember
Ruby came out to the Outcasts’ theme. All are now decked entirely in DX colors. Willow looked sad as the match began. Soho immediately headed outside as Saraya called Willow a ‘stupid cow’ (a very UK insult).
Soho again tried to bail but was dragged in by the hair before slapping the taste out of Nightingale. No Future was quickly countered, Willow hit a nice tilt-a-whirl side slam then a cross body splash.
A bodyslam followed, another, another, chops and a vicious flurry in the corner leaving Soho down. Willow then stupidly bought Ruby begging off (which she also fell for only a couple weeks back), Soho flinging her into the ropes, taking the ref as Saraya threw a bunch of knees to the head.
Then accused the cameraman of attacking her ‘with his wires’.
A suplex back inside bought two for Ruby.
Ads.
Up on the apron again, Saraya was flung to the floor before Willow crushed Ruby in the corner, a high boot following as Soho begged-off once more. This time Willow dragged her up onto her shoulders to eventually hit a DVD for two.
Storm crotched Willow right in front of Aubrey, Soho hit two No Futures, Nightingale kicked out. The crowd more into this than your typical women’s match. Roaring as Willow got two via backlisde then hit a killer pounce before dropping the straps.
Saraya again again (intended) got on the apron, Toni distracted Willow and held Soho’s feet on the ropes to help leverage the pin.
The Outcasts then stomped away as the spray-paint came out. Ruby grabbed a chair too as they prepared to Pillmanize the leg. Riho and Skye Blue came out but were immediately beaten down, making them look pretty stupid. They could at least have got on top for a bit before the numbers overwhelmed them.
Jamie Hayter then returned (she’s had visa issues) to run through the trio single-handed. She and Riho shook hands, the latter then made the ‘belt’ motion ahead of next week’s title match. Should be a good one.
Rooting for ‘nice guys’ is fine provided they don’t cross the line marked ‘stupid’. Which is exactly what Nightingale did by feeling sorry for Ruby here. Though at least she wasn’t fooled twice in the same match. ‘Kick her in the face when she does that!’ implored Tony Schiavone. Indeed.
Winner: Ruby Soho
Powerhouse Hobbs promo – he’s the man who beat Fenix, beat Penta, beat Christopher Daniels. The TNT title ‘will never, ever leave my waist’.
So much more effective, not to mention briefer than the QTV garbage. Hobbs is very much capable of speaking for himself. With luck, they’ve realized this and scrapped that angle.
Adam Cole vs Daniel Garcia
Backstory: Cole’s first match in nine months after recovering from two concussions, Garcia interrupted Cole’s promo last week
Apparently, Garcia’s looking to spoil the premiere of All-Access, according to Excalibur. Erm, how and why? Surely he’s looking to make a statement, prove he’s the better man, put himself in the title picture rather than spoil a new reality tv show?
Garcia too had new music, again as far as I’m aware.
Seems that the crowd just weren’t into that opener. Because they’ve been loud and lively for the rest of the show.
An incredibly enthusiastic ‘Adam Cole’ chant precipitated the lockup which began the match. Cole working the arm as the crowd continued to chant. Garcia slipped out and ‘kicked dirt’ dismissively in Cole’s direction.
Back to a lockup, waist control, Garcia countered into a headlock, Cole grabbed one of his own then ran through Garcia via shoulder block. Back into the headlock, Garcia flung him to the buckle but was snatched into a headlock takedown as Cole used the buckle to land behind the youngster.
Garcia quickly fought out and hit a piledriver, Cole rolling outside clutching his head as the ref examined him and the ads arrived.
The whole returns from a concussion so sells every move as if they’re concussed again thing is a little overdone now we’ve had Hangman, Mox and Cole do it already this year.
A fistfight in the middle left Cole on top after a lariat then pump kick. Before unleashing an ushi-goroshi to bag two.
Another pump kick was answered by Garcia, a Cole enziguri missed as Garcia snatched him into a German, again dropping him right on his head.
The crowd kept chanting ‘You’re a wrestler’ at Garcia.
Who ran right into a superkick for another two slaps. Cole looked to lower the kneepad, Garcia temporarily stopped it then ducked the Boom, into H&A, Cole bagged two with a slippery pin attempt. Garcia rolled through Panama Sunrise into the Dragon Tamer, Cole fighting his way to the ropes as even Schiavone applauded Cole’s ‘fight’.
The crowd again chanting his name, Cole slumped in the corner as Garcia posed atop the opposite buckle. Then hit another piledriver with the arms captured. Cole again kicked out at two.
Before catching an over-eager Garcia with a superkick, then Panama Sunrise. Knee pad down, BOOM! Victory.
Post-match, a woozy Cole kept clutching his neck as Britt Baker made her way down for a hug. Which also played into them hyping All-Access next.
Pleased for Cole that he was able to perform again having gone through a lot. Honestly though, wasn’t much of a match.
The self-identified pioneer of crowd participation Chris Jericho interrupted the celebration to help Garcia up the ramp. Though he wouldn’t even make eye contact with Cole. Hinting at a future match.
Which doesn’t leave the House of Black in the best position.
Cole and Britt then continued to celebrate.
Winner: Adam Cole
_________________________________________________________________________
Next Rampage:
- Taya Valkyrie vs Marina Shafir
- Juice Robinson vs Action Andretti
- Sammy Guevara vs Konosuke Takeshita (Yes Please!)
- Best Friends vs Kings of the Black Throne (Malakai & Brody)
Next Dynamite:
- Ricky Starks vs Juice Robinson
- The Gunns vs FTR, Tag Titles (If FTR lose they leave AEW)
- Jamie Hayter vs Riho, Women’s Title
- MJF Day
- BCC to talk
Thumbs Up/Down
- Omega vs Cobb & the subsequent angle
- The MJF/Perry segment
- The crowd
- All contributing to an excellent first hour with some intriguing story developments
*****
- Egregious and repetitive interference (remove a buckle-pad, slip them a weapon, please just do something different)
- A flat-ish second-half
*****
Appreciate you reading. Have a good week.
Adam Cole returns to the ring tonight on Dynamite on TBS
Tonight’s Dynamite on TBS will be headlined by an IWGP United States title defense and the return of Adam Cole…bay bay!
Kenny Omega will put up his IWGP gold against Jeff Cobb in his first defense since winning it at Wrestle Kingdom 17 this past January. Adam Cole also returns to the ring for the first time in nine long months after concussion problems to take on Daniel Garcia.
The AEW International title is also on the line as Orange Cassidy defends against The Butcher. Three other matches announced are Matt Hardy vs Jack Perry, Dalton Castle and The Boys vs Blackpool Combat Club, and Willow Nightingale takes on Ruby Soho.
Nick Khan says WWE okay to go back to PPVs if new media rights holder wants it
WWE Chief Executive Officer Nick Khan has said that the company is open to reverting to pay-per-views if whoever pays for their media rights wanted that and are willing to pay for it. Khan made the comments on The Marchand & Ourand Sports Media Podcast.
The deal would be similar to what the UFC does with ESPN+. ESPN pays the UFC millions of dollars every year for their content but also charges customers $79.99 for each pay-per-view. Besides, the pay-per-views are exclusively on ESPN+, so customers would need to pay the subscription for ESPN+ on top of that.
That would mean if Peacock’s parent company NBCUniversal decided to renew their WWE Network deal when it expires in a few years, they can charge extra for all the monthly events, now referred to by WWE as premium live events.
WWE did away with pay-per-views in 2014 after the introduction of the WWE Network, with the shows being included in the $9.99 monthly price. Once the Network moved to Peacock, the price decreased to $4.99 a month.
AEW: All Access premieres tonight on TBS
The brand new AEW television series All Access will air tonight at 10PM ET on TBS immediately following the conclusion of Dynamite.
AEW: All Access already had a first airing this past weekend following the NCAA game and did over 700,000 viewers thanks to the big lead-in.
The new reality show was announced last month and will follow some of the company’s biggest stars, including Adam Cole, Dr. Britt Baker, Sammy Guevara, Tay Conti, The Young Bucks, Saraya, Wardlow, and Eddie Kingston along with AEW President Tony Khan with each episode following the AEW stars in their everyday lives as they prepare for television.
The six-episode series was filmed late last year and got rave reviews for the first episode.
Tim White to receive the Warrior Award at the 2023 Hall of Fame ceremony
WWE announced that former WWE referee Tim White will posthumously receive this year’s Warrior Award at the 2023 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
The Warrior Award is presented to an individual who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance and who lives – or in this case, lived – life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of The Ultimate Warrior.
White, a beloved referee for many, many years, started working with WWE in 1985 while he was still traveling around the world with Andre The Giant. He became a full-time WWE referee in 1993 and refereed some of the most iconic WWE matches in history, including The Undertaker vs Mankind Hell In A Cell match at the 1998 King of the Ring.
White was released from WWE in January 2009 after 24 years with the company and returned to for a cameo appearance in WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures show on A&E in 2021.
He passed away on June 19 of last year at the age of 68.
White will be the sixth recipient of the Warrior Award following Connor Michalek, Eric LeGrand, Joan Lunden, Titus O’Neil, and Shad Gaspard.
FTR in AEW careers vs titles match next week on Dynamite
FTR will be putting their careers on the line on the April 5 episode of Dynamite.
Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood will challenge The Gunns for the AEW World Tag Team titles on that day but if they lose, they are out of All Elite Wrestling.
The future of the duo has been brought into question after Harwood said that their deal is up in April and they were still thinking of what to do. A few weeks ago he said that they decided their next destination but he couldn’t announce it as it was not official yet.
In the meantime, FTR were brought back on AEW television at the Revolution pay-per-view last month and after asking for a title shot, The Gunns only agreed after FTR decided to leave the company if they lose, playing to the rumors that they are leaving AEW.
Raw rating for 03/27/2023
Monday Night Raw this week for the final show before WrestleMania drew 1,843,000 viewers, up 72,000 viewers from the prior week. This was their best number since February 20.
The first hour started with 1,908,000 viewers and then increased to 1,921,000 viewers but suffered a big drop to 1,701,000 viewers in the third and final hour. The show lost 220,000 viewers just from the second to third hour.
In the 18-49 demo, Raw was #1, #2, and #3 in the top 50 cable chart for the night with 0.59, 0.55, and 0.53 ratings respectively for an average of 0.56, up 0.01 from last week. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Roxanne Perez to defend NXT Women’s title in ladder match at Stand & Deliver
The current NXT Women’s champion Roxanne Perez has been added to the ladder match at this Saturday’s Stand & Deliver and will be defending her title in what now involves a total of six women.
Perez last appeared on NXT TV several weeks ago after successfully defending her title against Meiko Satomura, but a post-match injury angle where she fainted in the ring explained her absence from television.
On the taped episode of NXT yesterday, Perez filmed a segment with Shawn Michaels where she pleaded with HBK to let her defend the title. She said that doctors cleared her after she was diagnosed with anxiety and exhaustion.
Michaels didn’t want to do it but then gave up and allowed her to participate.
Speaking of the NXT Women’s title match, Indi Hartwell was the last person to qualify for the match after she beat Sol Rouca and Ivy Nile in a last chance match. She now joins Tiffany Stratton, Zoey Stark, Lyra Valkyria, Gigi Dolin, and Perez himself.
Logan Paul’s match at WrestleMania his final one on his current WWE deal
Logan Paul has announced on his Impaulsive podcast that WrestleMania 39 is his last match on his WWE contract.
Paul said that his “rookie year” is up after he takes on Seth Rollins at SoFi Stadium but did not elaborate if he will be signing a new deal.
WWE announced that Paul signed a WWE deal on June 30 of last year, marketed as a “long-term deal” that would enable him to appear in multiple events along the way.
He has a couple of matches under his belt, his first teaming with The Miz at WrestleMania against The Mysterios, then against The Miz at SummerSlam, against Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel, and an appearance at the Royal Rumble this year.
WWE on A&E block (2023) ratings for week 6
Week six of WWE’s block on A&E saw two Biography episodes, the first one on Charlotte and the second one on Yokozuna, and Rivals tackled the rivalry between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar.
Charlotte’s Biography drew 338,000 viewers for the first hour and a 0.11 rating, placing #27 on the chart. Yokozuna’s Biography drew 366,000 viewers and a 0.13 rating in the 18-49, placing #20.
The Rivals episode of Reigns vs Lesnar drew 362,000 viewers, up from last week’s 297,000 and a 0.14 rating in the 18-49 demo, up from 0.11 of last week. It was the best demo rating since episode one of the new series. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Smackdown and Raw for WrestleMania 39 weekend getting closer to sell outs
A larger crowd will be in attendance for this year’s pre-Mania Smackdown and Hall of Fame and Raw after Mania.
The Smackdown and Hall of Fame ceremony has over 14,000 tickets sold so far with just a few days to go for the show. Last year there were 12,000 fans inside the American Airlines Center.
Meanwhile, the Monday Night Raw following WrestleMania, known as Raw After Mania, has an even bigger audience with over 15,000 tickets sold to date. This is an increase from the 10,000 tickets last year’s post-Mania Raw did in Dallas.
Both shows will take place at the Crypto.com Arena.
WWE has seen a good uptick in tickets across the country over the past year and has broken several records in different markets during the last months.
Rampage rating for 03/25/2023
Rampage this week, which aired on Saturday at 10PM instead of the usual Friday, drew 373,000 viewers, down 101,000 viewers from the prior week. The show did a 0.10 rating in the 18-49 demo, down 0.07 from last week and was #26 on the chart for the night. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)