It seems that The House of Black, including Malakai Black, are on the way back to AEW after a vignette of the faction aired yesterday on Dynamite.
The wicked vignette featured Julia Hart burying all the other members of House of Black – Malakai, Brody, and Buddy – and ends with all of them coming back from the dead.
“Forgive me not father, see me now, mother,” Black says towards the end of the video.
There were rumors that Black got his conditional release from the promotion after All Out but Black later shot down those rumors, saying that he was given time off by Khan to address personal issues. Buddy Matthews also said the same.
Black was last seen at All Out while King and Matthews worked the Rampage: Grand Slam show a few weeks later. None of them appeared on TV since then.
The Clash at the Castle premium live event in Cardiff, Wales had a whopping $8 million gate, making it one of the largest non-WrestleMania gates in WWE history.
The $8 million figure was fueled by extremely high ticket prices, with over 54,000 fans in attendance paying an average of $145 per ticket.
The event was an overall major success, from tickets to merchandise, to reception from fans. Rumors are that WWE sold just under $1 million in merchandise from the event.
WWE were also paid a site fee by the city of Cardiff to hold the event there and this is something that WWE will push for going forward. Nick Khan said during the conference call that there’s another event that they hope to close negotiations soon with another city offering to host their premium live event.
WWE has extended its next-day TV rights for Raw and NXT with Hulu after several months of negotiations and will now see the deal expire in September 2024 along with the other WWE television rights.
WWE’s plan is now to bundle these next-day rights with their main television bidding, with the winning network getting the exclusive to broadcast the shows after 24 hours as well. Smackdown’s TV rights were not up for renewal as that is worked out through FOX.
For the past several weeks, WWE content on Hulu were marked expiring in a few days and those dates kept being extended. The announcement of the extension came during the investors call following the release of their Q3 2022 financial results.
Speaking of Hulu, WWE Co-CEO Nick Khan also revealed that Montez Ford and wife Bianca Belair will get their own show on Hulu in 2023.
WWE is expected to get a significant increase for their next round of television rights with negotiations starting sometime in 2023.
Last Week’s Rating: 997,000 overall; 0.32 in 18-49 demo
Hope everyone’s feeling Uce-y.
It’s Wednesday night, it’s Dynamite. Let’s go.
…..
To give AEW credit, they’ve begun to actually run down what’s on the show. Which they did here. And at a speed a little bit slower than warp.
Jay Lethal vs Darby Allin
Backstory: Lethal & Dutt are threatening to reveal someone from Allin’s past who knows his weakness
This match actually stands out tonight. Why? It’s the only match on the show not for a title/title shot. Think about that. It’s about as backward as it gets.
Lethal stormed down the aisle: met there by Allin, they set to brawling, Darby launching himself off the ringside table. Until Satnam Singh got in the way of a Darby dive, allowing Jay to take a cheap shot then begin working on Allin’s injured ribs (they trapped them under a garage door a couple weeks back).
A wicked release-German on the apron brought the break with the heel on top.
Just as we came back, Darby gouged the eyes, coffin splash off the middle rope; Lethal responded with a boot to the face then a sit-out reverse ddt. Taking to the air for an elbow, the heel very obviously landed short in order to be rolled up for two. Then thought Lethal Injection but Allin snatched him into a rear naked choke.
After bashing Allin into the buckle, Jay freed himself but was immediately hit with the flipping Stunner, Darby clutching his ribs as he headed topside, Lethal bailing outside. Where this time Darby thought ‘screw it’, launching himself into Singh, bouncing off, the big guy didn’t budge, but did get ejected from ringside.
Leaving Allin alone on the outside, where a guy in a black mask and trench-coat with a scorpion on it attacked him. Then threw him back in to eat a Lethal Injection and a loss.
I’m far from the biggest Darby guy, but he’s a young guy who’s drawn ratings in the past, and was beaten pillar to post here by an older guy who might as well have ‘mid-card’ stamped on his forehead. Guess it pays to be friends with a guy who’s on the creative team.
‘Sting’ was then unmasked as ‘Cole Karter from the Factory’. It’s a good thing the announcers said it, because nobody had a clue who he was. Is there such a thing as negative noise?
The four then beat him down until Sting’s music hit, allowing Jeff Jarrett to attack from behind. And of course, break a guitar over Allin’s head.
Calling himself the Last Outlaw, he claimed that Sting was Allin’s weakness. Then named a bunch of people in production before targeting the ‘insane, delusional A-E-Dubya fanbase’. Before he’s done, there are gonna be bodybags, ‘so AEW fanbase, you can choke on that, slapnutz’. Excalibur translated that he’d declared war on AEW. We were then treated to his abysmal TNA music.
I don’t even want to watch the rest of the show. This might be my breaking point.
WINNER: Jay Lethal
Thank God for a Jon Moxley promo.
Just another night for him; the biggest of Moriarty’s life. Put over Lee’s ability but he and Danielson had decided he wasn’t quite violent enough for the BCC. So tonight, he wants to bring that out of the youngster.
The surest antidote for Jeff Jarrett.
(So I missed something here. For which I apologize. Footage of the Elite being removed and replaced with Death Triangle. Seems the EVP’s are getting their belts back so that Pac can finally split from the Bros.)
Jon Moxley vs Lee Moriarty, Eliminator Match
Backstory: Lee & Hathaway challenged Mox on Friday, if Lee wins he gets a title shot
As the champ made his entrance, the commentators talked about the toll Moxley was putting on his body by wrestling so often. Ethan Page joined them at the desk.
Grappling contest to start – cravate from Moriarty, Mox to a headlock, an exchange of legkicks ended badly for Moriarty with a shot to the head, ten punches in the corner, bite to the forehead, neck chancery-throw, transitioning smoothly back into a headlock.
Page talked about how MJF had no chance vs Mox, that he was a liar. Taz had the subtle comedy line of the night with ‘he does lie a lot’. It was in the delivery.
Smacking the youngster with a clothesline in the corner, Mox followed with a running shoulder but Moriarty darted out the way at the last second as the break beckoned. Crowd absolutely silent whenever Moxley isn’t on offense.
The two were brawling as a ‘Moxley’ chant played when we returned, Lee coming out on top with a springboard dive, suplex into a bridge for two, straight into ground and pound before locking the wrist for Kick Your Head In stomps.
Battling to his feet with the wrists still locked, Mox hit headbutts then blasted the youngster with the KKL. Before KYHI stomps of his own, from which Moriarty again targeted the shoulder until the champ hit his cutter-out-of-nowhere. Beckoning Moriarty to his feet, Moxley ate a bunch of shots from the youngster before absolutely smacking him silly.
Before an exchange of suplexes saw both immediately pop back up, Moxley snatching the juijigatame, from which Moriarty transitioned into the Border City Stretch. To absolutely no reaction.
Ethan Page has been excellent on comms., putting over both Moriarty and the storylines.
Fighting free, Mox went to the hammer and anvils, right back into the juijigatame for the quick tap.
You could hear the headset drop the second the ref counted three as Page flew to the ring to knock-out the champ, standing over him arms raised as the segment ended.
One of these days a challenger might even win one of these Eliminator matches.
WINNER: Jon Moxley
Renee was with Saraya. Britt decided not to show. Saraya noted that Britt wasn’t appreciative of the TV time because she’d had things easy. Before the million-dollar question – can she wrestle? The Brit said that’d have to wait a week because ‘there’s one more doctor I’d like to consult on this’.
This should’ve been done her second week in.
Schiavone was with William Regal, who talked about how Max had ‘all the potential in the world but a long way to go to be a true villain’. Do I smell these two joining forces?
Daddy Ass Bday Bash
Backstory: It’s Billy’s birthday, days after Swerve seemingly chopped his finger off with pliers (you read correctly)
After being very serious on Friday, the Acclaimed were all jokes and smiles again tonight, despite Gunn having both hands bandaged. Though Bowens did not straight away that they’d had a tough weekend. Because after Swerve’s attack, Billy can’t scissor.
But they can change that with gift number one. Acclaimed foam Scissor Fingers. Then a ‘World’s Greatest Daddy’ trophy. Bowens dropped a line about guys from Billy’s past not being able to make it. Last but not least, a certificate of adoption: they’ve both signed it, all they need now is Billy’s signature.
At which the Ass Boys interrupted. Hurt at their lack of invitation. But they’d got Billy a gift anyway, at which point W. Morissey attacked. Bringing FTR to the ring as the heels legged it. The vets pointedly handed the tag belts back to the Acclaimed.
Went a little long but harmless.
……
Britt and Jamie Hayter were with Tony. Britt was with her people for the interview because of past conspiracies. The pair just want to wrestle, so they’ll do that Friday.
Chris Jericho vs Colt Cabana, ROH Title
Backstory: Jericho’s now targeting anyone associated w ROH, made an open challenge
Someone in the front row had come to the show on their honeymoon. And been treated to Jeff Jarrett. Riccaboni on comms.
Jericho roused the crowd like no-one had all night by threatening to whip ‘Lamar Jackson’s ass’ as he built intrigue for his mystery opponent.
Well, isn’t this interesting. Colt looked genuinely emotional as he came to the ring. Loud ‘Welcome Back’ chant from the crowd as he and Jericho went face to face. An aggressive Cabana ran through Jericho with a pair of shoulder blocks, shots to the face, kick to the gut, boot in the corner and a roll-up for two.
More shots followed as Jericho headed for the outside, where Colt pursued him, bringing things back in, Colt looking for the Chicago Skyline, Jericho out of desperation dragging both from the top to the outside as the ads arrived. Nasty spill.
Slugfest in the middle, broken up via Flying Apple, falling splash out of the corner for two. Colt back to the top and crotched for his trouble, then being hauled onto Jericho’s shoulders but fighting free into a roll-up for another two, Jericho looking for the Walls as they both got up, another cradle for another two from Colt, who began to jab Jericho until a thumb to the eye. From which the Ocho launched a Judas Effect but missed, right into the Billy Goat’s Curse (reverse Walls).
Kicked away, Colt rebounded into a Superman pin, broken up by Hager at 2 ½. For which Colt hit he and Garcia with a springboard moonsault before heading back in, where he was caught in a Codebreaker as Jericho snatched the win.
Pleased for Colt and the fans enjoyed him but Jericho’s had better title defences. Garcia still looks completely out of place among the Sports Entertainers.
As they reached the top of the ramp, 2.0 grabbed Riccaboni and Jericho was preparing to blast him with the belt when Claudio launched himself at Jericho. Danielson joining, then Yuta, as refs separated them.
WINNER: Chris Jericho
Renee with Death Triangle. He and Penta were all happy at Rey potentially becoming a double champ, a serious Pac cut them off to offer Rey the hammer – his ‘golden ticket’ to victory.
Orange Cassidy vs Luchasaurus vs Rey Fenix, All-Atlantic Title
Backstory: In exactly the same fashion as his previous title defense, Cassidy found two guys arguing and made a triple threat
Rey wore a cape to the ring, which is fitting. He and Orange got a nice reaction. The usual smattering of kids in the crowd dressed as the latter.
‘Freshly squeezed’ chant as both faces immediately attacked the bigger heel.
A pair of thrust kicks and a double dropkick sent him outside as Cassidy launched the kicks on Rey, who responded with his rebound heel-kick, Cassidy ducked, launching an aerial armdrag, but was caught with a boot, then a diving stomp, before another on the mat missed. Orange with a tornado ddt for two, reversed by Rey into a cradle for two of his own, both kipping up at the same time afterwards. Breathless.
Just as the big guy arrived back inside, double shoulder tackle, drop suplex on Cassidy, double clothesline to both, the crowd all-but silent for the heel after loving the exchange between the faces. Not sure why you wouldn’t have gone to ads on that instead.
Christian had joined on comms during the break.
As Cassidy and Rey launched flying attacks sending Luchasaurus back outside. Both launched topes but Saurus caught Cassidy, sending him into the post, then blasted Rey through a table via chokeslam. A pumpkick then sent Cassidy halfway up the ramp, where he setup a chokeslam until Jungle Boy returned with a chair, chasing away Christian before launching himself at Luchasaurus, both plummeting off the ramp through a bunch of tables.
Leaving the two faces to struggle back inside. Which is when Pac came down, handing the hammer to Rey, who threw it away disgustedly. Pair of pin attempts, thrustkick, Rey setting up for his rolling, leaping cutter, Cassidy meeting him at the pinnacle with an Orange Punch to retain.
Pac attacked immediately after the bell, grabbing the hammer until Katsuori Shibata’s music hit, bringing Rocky Romero and Best Friends with him. Giving Pac second thoughts. Shibata then pointed at the title before signing the Dream Match contract for Rampage.
Hard to believe they’re just throwing that match out there on two days notice.
While this match would’ve been much better without Luchasaurus in it. Though they did continue the storyline with JB.
WINNER: Orange Cassidy
Schiavone with Swerve in our Glory and ‘the God of Lemon/Pepper Rick Ross’. Keith Lee came in. Swerve hadn’t answered any texts in a week and had cheated to win last week. ‘Accusations!’ interjected Ross.
Also, who was behind the camera on Friday? Swerve had an eight-man tag setup – they and the Gunn Club vs the Acclaimed & FTR. Wouldn’t like those odds if I was Keith Lee. Who reluctantly toasted with Ross & Strickland.
Ross was great here. A bastion of charisma.
Jade Cargill vs Marina Shafir, TBS Title
Backstory: Nyla Rose has stolen Jade’s TBS title, Jade challenged her associate Shafir for the title she doesn’t possess
So who’s excited for this one?
On a brighter note, I finally figured out that the random woman with Nyla & Vickie is Marina, all by myself too.
Nyla’s music interrupted straight away as Vickie shrieked. There are a lot of acts straight out of 2005 tonight. The pair did commentary via the mic to try and distract the champ. No idea who’s supposed to be the heel in this feud. Guess it’s Nyla since she backed down when Jade came for her.
Pumpkick and Jaded, Problem solved.
Kiera Hogan tried to snatch the belt but Nyla took off with it.
WINNER: Jade Cargill
Video package seemingly showing Julia Hart resurrecting the House of Black members. Different. And good. The last words were unmistakeably Malakai’s: ‘Forget me not Father, see me now Mother’.
Video package showing Toni Storm and Jamie Hayter living together during the pandemic. Best friends. But when Toni came to AEW, she wouldn’t talk to her, she’d changed. Which Jamie disputed. Might’ve been nice if they’d told us this months ago so it could build.
Samoa Joe vs Bryan Cage, ROH TV Title
Backstory: Cage & the Empire attacked Wardlow & Joe Friday
So as usual, instead of building a feud, AEW rushed a ‘title match’ to TV. Learning nothing from how good Cage/Wardlow was.
‘Joe’s gonna kill you!’ played as the two big bulls locked up and clashed in the middle, neither budging the other until Joe built up some steam, running over Cage. Who responded with shots to the face until Joe snapped back with rapid jabs and a step-up enziguri in the corner. Snapmare out, chop to the spine, stiff kick across the back, elbow drop but Cage kicked out at a dodo-rare count of one.
Which is when Prince Nana distracted Joe, leaving him open for a leaping dropkick. Cage then taking Joe to the corner, driving the shoulder, couple chops, choking the vet with the top rope as he took over. A big clothesline knocked Joe down in the middle. Then Cage’s patented flurry: elbow strike in the corner, straight into an enziguri and finishing with a German suplex as the final break beckoned.
Cage was mid-flight as we came back, striking with a senton over the top but making the mistake of posing. Allowing Joe to come back into it with a Manhattan Drop and a big kick to the face for two. Snap powerslam out of the corner for another. Thrust kick from Cage in response, very slow 619 kick, elbow drop from the top for another close count.
Impressive face-first pumphandle for two of his own. Cage shook off the choke, returning fire with a discus lariat for yet another two count. Cage then tried to lift Joe onto his back, where the vet locked in the choke for the win.
Decent enough match, nowhere near as good as Cage/Wardlow and Joe sold for the vast majority of the match. Didn’t feel like a main event.
The Gates of Agony attacked straight afterwards until Wardlow made the save. Excalibur further attacked his own credibility by telling us he and Joe were a ‘dominant team’. When? When have they even wrestled as a team? Once? On Dark?
Lastly, Will Hobbs caught Wardlow from behind, dropping him with a Spinebuster to end the show.
WINNER: Samoa Joe
….
Next Rampage:
Britt Baker & Jamie Hayter vs
Orange Cassidy vs Katsuori Shibata, All-Atlantic Title
Mike Tyson on comms
Next Dynamite:
Swerve in our Glory & the Gunn Club vs FTR & the Acclaimed
More announced on Friday
Full Gear:
Jamie Hayter vs Toni Storm, AEW Women’s Title
…..
Overall impressions
It’s rare for Dynamite to feel miss-able. But this absolutely was. There was nothing great here, either promo or match. And nothing groundbreaking happened. Plus, they brought back Jeff Jarrett. Those who don’t learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.
WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett is now All Elite after he made a surprise appearance last night on Dynamite, aligning himself with Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, and Satnam Singh, and keeping to tradition, smashed a guitar over Darby Allin’s head.
But that was not all. AEW President Tony Khan later announced that Jarrett has also been hired as the new Director of Business Development for AEW in a bid to expand the company’s live event business in 2023.
Until a few months ago, Jarrett was the Senior Vice President of WWE Live Events but he was removed from that position after Vince McMahon departed the company.
Jarrett has now held important positions in Impact, WWE, and AEW, and this year alone has appeared on NWA, GCW, WWE, and AEW TV in on-screen roles.
– Revenue was $304.6 million, an increase of 19%; Operating Income was $58.9 million, a decrease of 8%; and Adjusted OIBDA 1 was $91.2 million, an increase of 17%
– Returned $9.1 million of capital to shareholders through dividends paid
– Clash at the Castle, the first major WWE stadium event in the UK in over 30 years, was held at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Clash at the Castle was the most viewed international event in WWE’s history
– Each WWE domestic premium live event (Money in the Bank, SummerSlam and Extreme Rules) was the most viewed event in its history with year-over-year increases of 17%, 20% and 36%, respectively, in domestic unique viewership on Peacock
– WWE announced a multi-year agreement with its long-standing partner, the Foxtel Group, to expand the distribution of the Company’s content in Australia
– WWE announced the creation of NXT Europe, which is planned to launch in 2023, to expand the NXT brand internationally
– In October, WWE announced its “Campus Rush” recruitment tour to further enhance the Company’s talent development program
2022 Business Outlook
In February, the Company issued Adjusted OIBDA guidance of $360 – $375 million for the full year 2022. In August, the Company raised its guidance to $370 – $385 million. Based on performance through the first nine months of the year as well management’s current expectations for the fourth quarter, the Company now expects full year 2022 Adjusted OIBDA to be at the upper-end of the range of $370 – $385 million.
STAMFORD, Conn., November 02, 2022 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2022.
“We generated strong financial results in the quarter, highlighted by record revenue and Adjusted OIBDA for a third quarter, and remain firmly on track to deliver record revenue and Adjusted OIBDA for the full year” said Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan, WWE co-Chief Executive Officers. “We continue to effectively execute our strategy, including staging a record-setting international stadium event, Clash at the Castle, in early September. Clash at the Castle, as well as our other premium live events (“PLEs”) including SummerSlam and Extreme Rules all continue our streak of delivering record viewership for each respective event. These PLEs, along with strong ratings for our flagship programs, Raw and SmackDown, continue to expand the reach of our brands and enhance the value of our content across various platforms, both domestically and abroad.”
Frank Riddick, WWE President & Chief Financial Officer, added “In the quarter, we exceeded our guidance. Adjusted OIBDA increased 17% reflecting 19% revenue growth over the prior year. Our financial performance was primarily driven by growth in our Media segment as well as a shift in the timing of revenue related to certain licensing agreements. These items more than offset an increase in certain costs to support the creation of content. For 2022, we now anticipate Adjusted OIBDA at the upper-end of the range of $370 to $385 million.”
Third-Quarter Consolidated Results
Revenue increased 19% to $304.6 million, primarily due to an increase in core content rights fees for the Company’s flagship programs, Raw and SmackDown, and the monetization of third-party original programming. To a lesser extent, higher consumer product licensing revenue and international ticket sales also contributed to the increase in revenue.
Operating Income decreased 8%, or $5.1 million, to $58.9 million, as the increase in revenue was offset by an increase in operating expenses. The increase in operating expenses was primarily driven by higher costs to support the creation of content as well as the impact of certain costs related to the Special Committee investigation. (See the “Special Committee Investigation” discussion for further details.) The Company’s operating income margin decreased to 19% from 25%.
Adjusted OIBDA (which excludes stock-based compensation and other items included in operating income) increased 17%, or $13.3 million, to $91.2 million. The Company’s Adjusted OIBDA margin remained flat at 30%.
Net Income was $41.7 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, a slight decline from $43.5 million, or $0.52 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2021, primarily reflecting the decrease in operating performance.
Cash flows generated by operating activities were $54.5 million, a slight decline from $56.9 million, primarily due to lower net income and higher working capital requirements.
Free Cash Flow was $3.5 million, a decrease from $44.8 million, primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, the Company incurred $42.3 million of capital expenditures related to its new headquarter facility. Excluding the capital expenditures related to the new headquarter facility, Free Cash Flow for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was $45.8 million.
Return of Capital to Shareholders
The Company returned $9.1 million of capital to shareholders in dividends in the third quarter. There were no share repurchases under the Company’s existing share repurchase program. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had $210.9 million available under its existing $500 million stock repurchase authorization.
It is another packed Dynamite tonight with a total of six matches and two segments already announced.
Four title matches will be part of the broadcast including Samoa Joe vs Brian Cage for the ROH TV title, Chris Jericho puts his ROH World title on the line against a mystery former ROH champion, Jade Cargill defends her TBS title against Marina Shafir, and Orange Cassidy puts his All-Atlantic title on the line against Luchasaurus and Rey Fenix in a three-way match. AEW World champion Jon Moxley will be taking on Lee Moriarty in an AEW World title eliminator match and Darby Allin battles Jay Lethal.
Plus, Saraya and Britt Baker take part in a sit-down interview with Renee Paquette and Daddy Ass Billy Gunn will celebrate his birthday!
R-Truth suffered an injury last night during the live NXT on USA Network and the match against Grayson Waller had to be stopped.
Truth went for a dive over the top rope on the outside and didn’t get enough height in the jump, catching the ropes and missing Waller who was waiting for him on the outside. He also hit his head on the apron on the way down as the flip was too close to the ring.
Truth landed hard on the protective mat and immediately grabbed his right knee. Waller tapped on Truth’s shoes to see if he’s alright and the referee quickly went to check on him.
The show then went to a commercial break and after the medical team attended to Truth, the match was called off by the referee and Waller was declared the winner.
WWE and MultiChoice today announced a major broadcast partnership that will see Showmax – the leading streaming service available in the region – become the new home of WWE Network in Africa.
The partnership incorporates all WWE Premium Live Events as well as WWE Network’s vast library of original and archived programming available to stream on-demand.
Additionally, SuperSport, the sport broadcasting subsidiary of video entertainment platform MultiChoice, will continue to broadcast live weekly episodes of Raw, SmackDown and NXT as well as all of WWE’s Premium Live Events in a multi-year extension.
“Showmax Pro is the market leader and a perfect home for WWE content,” said Matt Drew, WWE Senior Vice President, International. “By delivering our premium live events including WrestleMania, we believe this partnership will expand our audience and deliver even more to WWE fans throughout the region.”
Barry Dubovsky, Chief Operating Officer at MultiChoice Connected Video, added: “Adding WWE to the Showmax platform is an exciting development that we know our entertainment and sport-loving African subscribers are going to enjoy, making WWE even more accessible and affordable.”
The service is available throughout sub-Saharan Africa and to selected diaspora markets worldwide. For a free trial, visit www.showmax.com.
It was a scary Halloween for the Raw television ratings as this week’s episode did just 1,500,000 viewers, down 141,000 viewers from the prior week. This was the fourth-lowest viewership in the show’s near-30-year history.
The whole three hours were down a lot, with the first hour starting with 1,553,000 viewers, then increased slightly to 1,586,000 viewers, before ending with just 1,363,000 viewers in the third hour with another women’s main event. The night was dominated by the NFL on ESPN which did 10 million viewers.
Raw was #7, #8, and #9 in the top 50 cable chart among the 18-49 demo with 0.39, 0.35, and 0.34 ratings respectively for an average of 0.36, down 0.09 from last week. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
A second women’s match has been added to the Crown Jewel card as the new WWE Women’s Tag Team champions Asuka and Alexa Bliss will defend their titles against IYO SKY and Dakota Kai in a rematch from yesterday.
The four main evented Raw with Asuka and Bliss winning the titles.
This match joins Bianca Belair vs Bayley for the Raw Women’s title which is also on the card.
As far as other women on the broadcast, Rhea Ripley is expected to join Judgment Day in their six-man tag match and there are rumors that AJ Styles and The OC will have some sort of a backup from a mystery woman as their answer for Ripley.
It is unknown if Scarlett will join her husband Karrion Kross for his cage match against Drew McIntyre.
Rampage on TNT drew just 378,000 viewers last week, down 102,000 viewers from last week’s broadcast. This was the lowest number since July 29. In the 18-49 demo, Rampage drew a 0.12 rating, down 0.01 from the previous week and placed #27 on the top 50 cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Becky Lynch will be a part of NBC’s Young Rock season three and will play the role of Cyndi Lauper in the season premiere episode titled The People Need You.
The first episode of the newest season, which kicks off on November 4, will tackle a party that Lauper threw for WrestleMania 1. PWInsider, which broke the story, also said that there will be other actors portraying Hulk Hogan, Mr. T, Vince McMahon, Lou Albano, and Liberace.
The synopsis for the episode reads, “After losing the 2032 election, Dwayne Johnson is ready to withdraw from political life for good when he gets an unexpected call. In 1985, Rocky learns there are consequences to crossing Vince. In 1997, Dwayne finds fans hate him even when he’s a winner.”
Young Rock moves to Friday nights for this season and will running opposite Smackdown.
Lynch has been out since the day after SummerSlam due to a a separated shoulder problem.
WWE announced that Bray Wyatt will be appearing at the upcoming Crown Jewel premium live event this Saturday, although he will not be part of a match.
The Wyatt return storyline has progressed slowly on television, with Smackdown ending in a cliffhanger with the official reveal of Uncle Howdy in a video that once again took over Wyatt’s in-ring promo.
Wyatt, as The Fiend, won the Universal title from Seth Rollins at Crown Jewel in Riyadh back in October 2019.
Bray made his return to WWE at Extreme Rules following a few weeks of white rabbit mystery on WWE television with clues being given via QR codes.
Friday Night Smackdown on FS1 drew just 835,000 viewers, down 1,346,000 viewers from the previous episode which aired on FOX. Smackdown was pre-empted from FOX due to the MLB World Series which did 11.4 million viewers. The last time Smackdown was on FS1 it drew 1,032,000 viewers back in October 2021 and this was the lowest number ever for the show. Smackdown was #5 in the top 50 cable chart for the night behind NBA programming with a 0.23 rating in the 18-49 demo. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
New York, NY (November 1, 2022) FITE and Game Changer Wrestling announced today that all GCW events will now be available exclusively on FITE+, the rapidly expanding subscription service. The price for subs remains the same, at $4.99/month, despite the massive addition of indie-wrestling’s most prolific promotion: GCW puts on approximately 75 shows a year, live and international. The first live event under the FITE+ deal will be the Nick Gage Invitational, one of the most prestigious deathmatch tournaments in the world, taking place in Chicago on November 12th.
Fans will also have immediate VOD access to 240 past GCW events. For a limited time, FITE+ will also be available as a free 7-day trial. The announcement was made by FITE COO, Michael Weber and GCW Founder and CEO, Brett Lauderdale.
“Over the last 6 years, we’ve been blessed to meet so many loyal and hardcore fans all over the USA and around the world. Their support has allowed us to experience unprecedented growth and change the game in independent wrestling,” said Brett Lauderdale, Founder and CEO of Game Changer Wrestling. “Now, as our schedule becomes busier and our catalog continues to grow, we want to make it easier for all our fans to follow us on this journey. We are proud to continue our partnership with Fite and bring our entire library, along with all future live events to Fite+, which will allow us to strengthen our relationship with our existing fanbase, while introducing Game Changer Wrestling to a new generation of Indie Wrestling fans.”
“The spectacular rise of GCW and the energy of its shows is like nothing else in the business,” said Michael Weber, COO of FITE. “Brett Lauderdale’s tenacity and understanding of the soul of wrestling, and talent like Joey Janela and Nick Gage, and the fans themselves, that respond and demand more, have created this success. We’re always looking to bring more value to our subscription package — so we’re confident our customers are going to love this deal.”
FITE+ subscribers also get a special selection of premium events from Boxing, MMA, Pro Wrestling, Bare Knuckle & other sports, with selected PPV events aded on an on demand basis and an ad-free experience.
FITE+ includes organizations like BKFC, NWA, GrappleFest, SlapFight Championship, Shamrock, Star Boxing, Top Rank and many more. The subscription also offers unlimited on-demand access to the entire FITE+ library with over 4000 hours from more than 100 organizations from around the world. With the annual option of $49.99 viewers get two months free.
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Talent cuts are being made today over at the WWE Performance Center according to PWInsider.com, with five already receiving the news that have been let go.
The five so far are Bodhi Hayward, who was part of the whole Chase U storyline, 19-year-old Sloane Jacobs, China’s Erica Yan, Damaris Griffin, and Ru Feng.
WWE has many, many talent under contract who never appear on any WWE television shows and train every day at the WWE Performance Center. Some of them make it to NXT’s Level Up broadcast and a few work the non-televised live events for NXT. Jacobs was part of the live events last weekend and even participating in the Halloween battle royal.
Damage Control come to the ring and Bayley shoves Bianca into the ring post and Nikki pushes her for doing that. Nikki then rolls in the ring and goes after Kai and Sky who are on the ring apron arguing with the referee, Bianca rolls back in the ring and Nikki goes to pick Bianca up, but Bianca reverses and catches Nikki for the KOD and the win.
Winner: Bianca Belair
After the match, Damage Control attack Bianca. Asuka and Alexa Bliss arrive and helped Bianca chase off Damage Control.
Bobby Lashley face to face with Brock Lesnar through cameras and Bobby is here but Brock is not and says Brock has been ducking him for 20 years and calls Lesnar a Bobby Lashley wannabe. Lesnar’s music then hits, and he comes to the ring.
Lesnar said he didn’t come to Texas to have a sit-down interview, he is here to fight and calls out Lashley. Lashley comes to the ring. Lesnar goes after Lashley before he could get to the ring, and they begin fighting and the locker room seems to empty to get the two apart.
Triple H comes out and tells both of them if they touch each other again the match is off.
Austin Theory VS. Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Rollins hits the stomp for the win.
Winner: Seth “Freakin” Rollins
We are shown Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman arriving.
Roman Reigns comes to the ring, Reigns says he has Jey working on being a little more Ucey and we will see a more Ucey Right Hand Man Jey Uso after Saudi Arabia.
Reigns said he will not hype a match with an outsider with only 2 matches under his belt like Logan Paul, but the Wiseman will and Heyman points out the Logan has been training with Shawn Michaels and has steel pins in his hand that he plans on hitting Roman with. As Heyman says, Reigns cannot tolerate an outsider.
The Miz comes out and interrupts Heyman. Miz says first I acknowledge you. Miz is here to help Roman, Because Miz taught Logan in the ring. Roman asks the Miz why is everyone talking about Logan Paul knocking me out and hits Miz with the Superman Punch then asks instead of people asking about him knocking Logan Paul out.
Damian Priest VS. Karl Anderson
Priest went for the reckoning, but Anderson rolls him up with a back slide for the pin.
Winner: Karl Anderson
After the match a fight starts between the Judgement Day and The O.C.
MVP says he has a surprise for Braun Strowman on Friday
JBL comes out to the ring and announces Baron Corbin. Baron Corbin insults the audience and says the truth is…and R-Truth comes out and Corbin and JBL leave R-Truth laying in the ring.
Matt Riddle VS. Otis in a Trick or Street Fight Match
Elias who was at ringside with Riddle put a pumpkin over Otis’ head and Riddle hits an RKO on Otis with the Pumpkin.
Winner: Matt Riddle
The Miz VS. Mustafa Ali
The Miz throws Ali over the announce table and leans back on the barricade to get caught by Dexter Lumis and Miz ran back in the ring as Dexter ran through the crowd away from security. Miz turns around and gets a superkick then a 450 splash from Ali for the win.
Winner: Mustafa Ali
They have been hyping a tell all interview with Johnny Gargano all evening. It is coming up next.
Johnny says the Miz took advantage of Dexter Lumis after Lumis lost his job in NXT. And on the night Gargano returned to WWE he recorded a conversation with The Miz and Dexter Lumis where the Miz paid Lumis to stalk him. Now the Miz must have stopped paying Dexter and Dexter is going to keep coming after the Miz until he gets what he is owed.
Asuka & Alexa Bliss VS. Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai for the Women’s Tag Team Championship
During the match Bianca and Bayley begin fighting and Bayley give Bianca a belly-to-belly suplex off of some equipment at ringside through a table.
Alexa outside runs Dakota into the ring steps as Iyo runs at Asuka who gives her a kick to the head, Asuka tags Alexa in and Alexa hits Twisted Bliss on Iyo for the win.
Winners and NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions: Asuka & Alexa Bliss
Monday Night Raw tonight will feature the company’s two biggest box office stars as both Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar will be on the broadcast for the final push for Crown Jewel.
Reigns will be there to address his opponent Logan Paul and Lesnar will be seeking revenge after Bobby Lashley beat him up a couple of weeks ago. The show suffered a big ratings drop last week with viewers tuning out of the third hour headlined by a women’s match so it’s likely one of these two will be in the final segment to try and hold on to the viewers.
Two matches have also been announced for the Halloween edition of Raw, with Bianca Belair taking on Nikki Cross in a non-title match and Matt Riddle vs Otis in a trick or street fight match.
