Week in Wrestling #18
Wrestling News From the week of
November 21 - November 27, 2015
November 21 - November 27, 2015
New WWE Champion
Sheamus captured the WWE title by cashing in his briefcase on 11/22 at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta, barely five minutes after Reigns had won the title beating Ambrose in the tournament final.
The decision was made pretty much at the last minute. As of the morning of the Survivor Series, they were still debating endings until at some point in the afternoon, Vince settled on Sheamus cashing it in rather than the original plan of the show being the coronation of Reigns as champion, which is still the long-term goal.
Sheamus captured the WWE title by cashing in his briefcase on 11/22 at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta, barely five minutes after Reigns had won the title beating Ambrose in the tournament final.
The decision was made pretty much at the last minute. As of the morning of the Survivor Series, they were still debating endings until at some point in the afternoon, Vince settled on Sheamus cashing it in rather than the original plan of the show being the coronation of Reigns as champion, which is still the long-term goal.
Survivor Series
Everyone worked hard, although there were no blow away matches. Creative had its ups and downs. The tournament itself before the cash in was predictable, but not overbooked. It concentrated more on building the winner of each match than protecting the loser. But having two ten-man elimination matches on the same show with the same psychologically backwards story, one heel left along with multiple babyfaces, was perplexing how that got through quality control. Then again, much of the decision making in recent weeks fits that same scenario.
When it was over, Ambrose was established as a secondary face during a time frame where, due to injuries, he almost needed to be elevated. The first-ever Reigns vs. Ambrose meeting was really squandered in the sense in hindsight, it meant nothing and accomplished nothing. While Cena is back in a few weeks, as is Lesnar, right now they've 50-50'd the entire roster to death to the point there's only one star on TV right now, Reigns, and the numbers are continuing to fall.
Everyone worked hard, although there were no blow away matches. Creative had its ups and downs. The tournament itself before the cash in was predictable, but not overbooked. It concentrated more on building the winner of each match than protecting the loser. But having two ten-man elimination matches on the same show with the same psychologically backwards story, one heel left along with multiple babyfaces, was perplexing how that got through quality control. Then again, much of the decision making in recent weeks fits that same scenario.
When it was over, Ambrose was established as a secondary face during a time frame where, due to injuries, he almost needed to be elevated. The first-ever Reigns vs. Ambrose meeting was really squandered in the sense in hindsight, it meant nothing and accomplished nothing. While Cena is back in a few weeks, as is Lesnar, right now they've 50-50'd the entire roster to death to the point there's only one star on TV right now, Reigns, and the numbers are continuing to fall.
TLC PPV
TLC right now only has two matches official, which are Sheamus vs. Reigns in the TLC match for the WWE title and Owens vs. Ambrose for the IC title. Other things that seem to be building are Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger in a chairs match for the U.S. title, The New Day in a three-way against the Usos and the Lucha Dragons for the tag title (probably a stip) and Charlotte vs. Paige for the Divas title (probably a stip). They also seem to be building a Dudleys vs. Wyatt Family program, which, if they do it, would probably be a tables match. So one of the aforementioned matches may be a ladder match.
TLC right now only has two matches official, which are Sheamus vs. Reigns in the TLC match for the WWE title and Owens vs. Ambrose for the IC title. Other things that seem to be building are Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger in a chairs match for the U.S. title, The New Day in a three-way against the Usos and the Lucha Dragons for the tag title (probably a stip) and Charlotte vs. Paige for the Divas title (probably a stip). They also seem to be building a Dudleys vs. Wyatt Family program, which, if they do it, would probably be a tables match. So one of the aforementioned matches may be a ladder match.
Charlotte vs. Paige
The Charlotte vs. Paige situation remained controversial all week after the tasteless usage of the death of Reid Flair in the 11/16 Raw promo. The situation got worse when it came out that WWE scripted the promo without informing either of Reid's parents.
The company claim is that Ashley has pushed to do this for a long time, wanted it done on last week's show, that it was at one point removed from the script that day and she pushed for it to be put back.
A number of people close to the situation have denied that, and it was described as Ashley having to take the bullet because the company screwed up and needed a way out. The very idea that she came up with the scenario given that she could barely get through the promo and was so clearly uncomfortable, took incredible gall to try and present. The reality is that a lot of the lines scripted weren't even spoken by her, whether due to emotions or whatever. She, like with everyone in that family, are so emotional about Reid's death.
By the end of the week, WWE recognized the extent of the negative reaction. In the video package for the match that aired on Survivor Series, it was no longer part of the storyline nor was it mentioned again.
The Charlotte vs. Paige situation remained controversial all week after the tasteless usage of the death of Reid Flair in the 11/16 Raw promo. The situation got worse when it came out that WWE scripted the promo without informing either of Reid's parents.
The company claim is that Ashley has pushed to do this for a long time, wanted it done on last week's show, that it was at one point removed from the script that day and she pushed for it to be put back.
A number of people close to the situation have denied that, and it was described as Ashley having to take the bullet because the company screwed up and needed a way out. The very idea that she came up with the scenario given that she could barely get through the promo and was so clearly uncomfortable, took incredible gall to try and present. The reality is that a lot of the lines scripted weren't even spoken by her, whether due to emotions or whatever. She, like with everyone in that family, are so emotional about Reid's death.
By the end of the week, WWE recognized the extent of the negative reaction. In the video package for the match that aired on Survivor Series, it was no longer part of the storyline nor was it mentioned again.
Jonathan Coachman
ESPN and Jonathan Coachman were under some fire given them running from that and other stories. Coachman's response was to label people haters and say ridiculous things like dismissing any criticism because it came from people who have never taken a bump, despite it being criticized by Ric Flair, who took more bumps than any man alive. And that entire line of thinking is hilariously shallow to start with. This was inevitable once the relationship started, because ESPN is doing wrestling segments on SportsCenter, its sports news show, while running away from the actual news. Doing that, it was inevitable that would at some point, probably sooner than later, give the show a black eye.
ESPN and Jonathan Coachman were under some fire given them running from that and other stories. Coachman's response was to label people haters and say ridiculous things like dismissing any criticism because it came from people who have never taken a bump, despite it being criticized by Ric Flair, who took more bumps than any man alive. And that entire line of thinking is hilariously shallow to start with. This was inevitable once the relationship started, because ESPN is doing wrestling segments on SportsCenter, its sports news show, while running away from the actual news. Doing that, it was inevitable that would at some point, probably sooner than later, give the show a black eye.
RAW Ratings
The disastrous Raw numbers on 11/23 were a 2.15 rating and 2,950,000 viewers (1.43 viewers per home), both 18 plus year lows for a non-holiday show. It's worse coming a day after a PPV with a title change.
It was the lowest rated episode of the show since a February 17, 1997, episode did a 2.1 rating when Raw was opposed by Nitro. It was the first time in the history of the show that Raw fell below a 1.0 in the 18-49 demo (0.98).
The disastrous Raw numbers on 11/23 were a 2.15 rating and 2,950,000 viewers (1.43 viewers per home), both 18 plus year lows for a non-holiday show. It's worse coming a day after a PPV with a title change.
It was the lowest rated episode of the show since a February 17, 1997, episode did a 2.1 rating when Raw was opposed by Nitro. It was the first time in the history of the show that Raw fell below a 1.0 in the 18-49 demo (0.98).
Cesaro Out
The company's injury woes continued as Cesaro had shoulder surgery on 11/23 to repair a fully torn left rotator cuff and will be out four to six months. Cesaro said that he hurt his shoulder two months ago but ignored it. He said he was able to wrestle on it, and he was able to continue lifting weights on it, with only a little bit of loss of strength. He had already found out about the tear and that he'd need surgery before Survivor Series, and was pulled from the show. He was to be in the ten-man tag opener in the spot that O'Neil ended up in.
The company's injury woes continued as Cesaro had shoulder surgery on 11/23 to repair a fully torn left rotator cuff and will be out four to six months. Cesaro said that he hurt his shoulder two months ago but ignored it. He said he was able to wrestle on it, and he was able to continue lifting weights on it, with only a little bit of loss of strength. He had already found out about the tear and that he'd need surgery before Survivor Series, and was pulled from the show. He was to be in the ten-man tag opener in the spot that O'Neil ended up in.
WWE Week
The USA Network announced the annual WWE Week in December as 12/20 to 12/23. It will start on Sunday, 12/20, with the movie "Santa's Little Helper," and then Raw, which will be the Slammy Awards show from Minneapolis (and that week may be the announcement of Minneapolis getting WrestleMania in 2017), then a live Smackdown the next night, followed by a taped two-hour Tribute to the Troops special.
There will also be WWE performers all over other USA Network programming with afternoon interviews. In an interesting note, the new WWE contract with NBC Universal doesn't include two shows per year on NBC, so NBC is not airing Tribute to the Troops any longer.
The USA Network announced the annual WWE Week in December as 12/20 to 12/23. It will start on Sunday, 12/20, with the movie "Santa's Little Helper," and then Raw, which will be the Slammy Awards show from Minneapolis (and that week may be the announcement of Minneapolis getting WrestleMania in 2017), then a live Smackdown the next night, followed by a taped two-hour Tribute to the Troops special.
There will also be WWE performers all over other USA Network programming with afternoon interviews. In an interesting note, the new WWE contract with NBC Universal doesn't include two shows per year on NBC, so NBC is not airing Tribute to the Troops any longer.
Stone Cold podcasts
The WWE Network announced upcoming Stone Cold podcasts with Flair and Michaels. Both shows have already been filmed, unlike the previous podcasts which were done live after episodes of Raw in the city Raw was at. Also announced for the network were two new shows, "Ride Along" where they film conversations with two wrestlers traveling on the road, and "Edge & Christian's Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness."
The WWE Network announced upcoming Stone Cold podcasts with Flair and Michaels. Both shows have already been filmed, unlike the previous podcasts which were done live after episodes of Raw in the city Raw was at. Also announced for the network were two new shows, "Ride Along" where they film conversations with two wrestlers traveling on the road, and "Edge & Christian's Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness."
Stephanie Back
Stephanie McMahon, who hasn't been around much of late, will be now be back as a regular on Raw as her Eisenhower Fellowship ended on 11/22. She had been in Brazil the past few weeks.
Stephanie McMahon, who hasn't been around much of late, will be now be back as a regular on Raw as her Eisenhower Fellowship ended on 11/22. She had been in Brazil the past few weeks.
Lana in Trouble
There is nuclear heat on Lana right now. In fact the report last week that they weren't happy with her led one person close to the situation write "MAJOR UNDERSTATEMENT." Even though WWE.com was trying to turn it into an angle, obviously the Paige/Lana thing, which Lana started inferring Paige bullied her. Another WWE talent wrote something negative on Lana after seeing what she said about Page, and got an immediate call from the office to take it down. Lana is in the gym training for a return soon.
There is nuclear heat on Lana right now. In fact the report last week that they weren't happy with her led one person close to the situation write "MAJOR UNDERSTATEMENT." Even though WWE.com was trying to turn it into an angle, obviously the Paige/Lana thing, which Lana started inferring Paige bullied her. Another WWE talent wrote something negative on Lana after seeing what she said about Page, and got an immediate call from the office to take it down. Lana is in the gym training for a return soon.
Another chance for Hogan?
HHH on a Hogan return:
"For me, I hope so. It's about reinvigorating his brand and for him as a human being and the confidence within the world as to who he is. But the one thing about people, in general, when somebody is on top, they love to see him fall and when they fall, they love him to see him make that comeback. They're great stories, and I think that's where people are."
"Do I think he can be forgiven and make amends with the world and move forward? Yeah, absolutely. But, at the same point in time for us in that time frame you're putting up a message to the world of how you'll tolerate things and how you'll react to things. We did what we needed to do, and he'll do what he needs to do to get himself back. To me, at the end of the day for him, how he's perceived by the world, him as a human being, I'm sure is a lot more important to him than anything else. And re-establishing who he is as a human being I'm sure is of utmost importance to him, and I'm sure he's going to do it and when he does, we'll go from there."
HHH on a Hogan return:
"For me, I hope so. It's about reinvigorating his brand and for him as a human being and the confidence within the world as to who he is. But the one thing about people, in general, when somebody is on top, they love to see him fall and when they fall, they love him to see him make that comeback. They're great stories, and I think that's where people are."
"Do I think he can be forgiven and make amends with the world and move forward? Yeah, absolutely. But, at the same point in time for us in that time frame you're putting up a message to the world of how you'll tolerate things and how you'll react to things. We did what we needed to do, and he'll do what he needs to do to get himself back. To me, at the end of the day for him, how he's perceived by the world, him as a human being, I'm sure is a lot more important to him than anything else. And re-establishing who he is as a human being I'm sure is of utmost importance to him, and I'm sure he's going to do it and when he does, we'll go from there."
Mick Foley Pissed
Foley blew up at WWE, as he's done in the past when people he thinks should be pushed don't get their shot (he did it when they kept refusing to push Daniel Bryan, and wrote an article in 2014 about them not pushing Ryder).
He wrote this week, mad about the Banks vs. Lynch match on Raw only being given 4:00, saying:
"I am one of those people on the verge of becoming a former WWE fan. I'm tired of being told, throughout Raw, Smackdown and PPVs, that WWE Superstars I have rooted for, from Ziggler to Cesaro to Kevin Owens, aren't top stars, no matter how strongly crowd reaction seems to disagree. I'm tired of NXT stars getting their big break in WWE, just to be treated like jokes. Six months ago, my son and I traveled 12 hours, from Eastern Tennessee to Orlando, to watch Sasha Banks wrestle Becky Lynch at NXT Takeover, one of the greatest women's matches of all-time. Last night, in what I believe was their first singles match on Raw, Sasha and Becky were given 4:00. At a time when WWE desperately needs to make new stars, when they need to give wrestlers with talent the opportunity to break through, they gave Sasha and Becky 4:00. I turned the channel, and watched a pretty good football game instead. I think I can get used to watching football games on Monday nights again. I will be watching Raw this Monday. Maybe, as is often the case in relationships, they will give me just enough to remind me why I love wrestling, just enough to keep me coming back. Maybe they will even give Sasha and Becky a rematch, and a legitimate chance to show the world what they can do."
"If I leave, it's not just one disgruntled former fan finding something else to do on Mondays nights. Instead, my leaving might well be an indication of a larger exodus from WWE. I want to stay. I really do, so please WWE, next week on Raw, just give me a reason."
Foley blew up at WWE, as he's done in the past when people he thinks should be pushed don't get their shot (he did it when they kept refusing to push Daniel Bryan, and wrote an article in 2014 about them not pushing Ryder).
He wrote this week, mad about the Banks vs. Lynch match on Raw only being given 4:00, saying:
"I am one of those people on the verge of becoming a former WWE fan. I'm tired of being told, throughout Raw, Smackdown and PPVs, that WWE Superstars I have rooted for, from Ziggler to Cesaro to Kevin Owens, aren't top stars, no matter how strongly crowd reaction seems to disagree. I'm tired of NXT stars getting their big break in WWE, just to be treated like jokes. Six months ago, my son and I traveled 12 hours, from Eastern Tennessee to Orlando, to watch Sasha Banks wrestle Becky Lynch at NXT Takeover, one of the greatest women's matches of all-time. Last night, in what I believe was their first singles match on Raw, Sasha and Becky were given 4:00. At a time when WWE desperately needs to make new stars, when they need to give wrestlers with talent the opportunity to break through, they gave Sasha and Becky 4:00. I turned the channel, and watched a pretty good football game instead. I think I can get used to watching football games on Monday nights again. I will be watching Raw this Monday. Maybe, as is often the case in relationships, they will give me just enough to remind me why I love wrestling, just enough to keep me coming back. Maybe they will even give Sasha and Becky a rematch, and a legitimate chance to show the world what they can do."
"If I leave, it's not just one disgruntled former fan finding something else to do on Mondays nights. Instead, my leaving might well be an indication of a larger exodus from WWE. I want to stay. I really do, so please WWE, next week on Raw, just give me a reason."
TNA Update
As reported last week, TNA announced a new television deal with Pop TV, and a move to Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. There are positives and negatives to the move, but it wasn't like there was another decision that could be made, since Destination America made the call to cancel all wrestling programming, and there were no other viable options.
TNA is spinning it as a positive, which they have to, because Pop TV is in "85 million homes" (although that number has been cited repeatedly by Dixie Carter, the actual number as of last week was 74 million) as compared to just under 57 million for Destination America. On the flip side, Pop TV has a lower viewership, although neither station does much in the way of ratings. In addition, on DirecTV, Dish Network and on most cable systems, Pop TV is not available in HD.
The debut show will be a live (possibly tape delayed by a few hours, as previous TNA shows billed as live in recent years were all on a few hours tape delay) show on 1/5 from the Sands Events Center in Bethlehem, PA. That's already a bad sign because TNA taped there in September 2014, and drew poorly, with 350 fans the first night, 200 fans the second night, 275 fans the third night and 650 fans the final night (heavily promoted around an Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards vs. Hardys vs. Team 3-D Full Metal Mayhem match for the tag team titles). They were the most lifeless tapings in the history of the company, due to how few fans were there and how darkened they kept the arena so they could hide that. But from a cost standpoint, the economics worked out because they got a better deal than they would anywhere else.
Details are not yet available but it is believed Pop TV is not paying for the programming. The deal puts TNA is an even worse economic situation because they were making money on the Destination America deal. The company has eliminated almost all contracts for significant amounts of money. Kurt Angle's deal expires in two months and he's already publicly stated he's done with the company, even though Pop and TNA pushed him as a signature star of the brand in a press release. Dixie Carter even tried to push Bill Goldberg's name, and to get Goldberg to wrestle for them will take more money than they pay the rest of the roster combined unless Goldberg is desperate for money, and there's no sign whatsoever that's the case. The only people likely making significant money once Angle's contract expires are the Hardys, Bobby Roode and perhaps Bobby Lashley.
Going with Pop TV indicated that either they were turned down, or WGN America never made a serious offer, because, even though both are in roughly the same number of homes, WGN America is a far higher profile station that draws much higher ratings.
Pop TV is owned 50% by CBS and 50% by Lions Gate Entertainment. It is not a big money station. Last year the station revenue consisted of $71 million in ad revenue and $14 million in affiliate revenue based on two cents per month per home from its carriers.
As reported last week, TNA announced a new television deal with Pop TV, and a move to Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. There are positives and negatives to the move, but it wasn't like there was another decision that could be made, since Destination America made the call to cancel all wrestling programming, and there were no other viable options.
TNA is spinning it as a positive, which they have to, because Pop TV is in "85 million homes" (although that number has been cited repeatedly by Dixie Carter, the actual number as of last week was 74 million) as compared to just under 57 million for Destination America. On the flip side, Pop TV has a lower viewership, although neither station does much in the way of ratings. In addition, on DirecTV, Dish Network and on most cable systems, Pop TV is not available in HD.
The debut show will be a live (possibly tape delayed by a few hours, as previous TNA shows billed as live in recent years were all on a few hours tape delay) show on 1/5 from the Sands Events Center in Bethlehem, PA. That's already a bad sign because TNA taped there in September 2014, and drew poorly, with 350 fans the first night, 200 fans the second night, 275 fans the third night and 650 fans the final night (heavily promoted around an Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards vs. Hardys vs. Team 3-D Full Metal Mayhem match for the tag team titles). They were the most lifeless tapings in the history of the company, due to how few fans were there and how darkened they kept the arena so they could hide that. But from a cost standpoint, the economics worked out because they got a better deal than they would anywhere else.
Details are not yet available but it is believed Pop TV is not paying for the programming. The deal puts TNA is an even worse economic situation because they were making money on the Destination America deal. The company has eliminated almost all contracts for significant amounts of money. Kurt Angle's deal expires in two months and he's already publicly stated he's done with the company, even though Pop and TNA pushed him as a signature star of the brand in a press release. Dixie Carter even tried to push Bill Goldberg's name, and to get Goldberg to wrestle for them will take more money than they pay the rest of the roster combined unless Goldberg is desperate for money, and there's no sign whatsoever that's the case. The only people likely making significant money once Angle's contract expires are the Hardys, Bobby Roode and perhaps Bobby Lashley.
Going with Pop TV indicated that either they were turned down, or WGN America never made a serious offer, because, even though both are in roughly the same number of homes, WGN America is a far higher profile station that draws much higher ratings.
Pop TV is owned 50% by CBS and 50% by Lions Gate Entertainment. It is not a big money station. Last year the station revenue consisted of $71 million in ad revenue and $14 million in affiliate revenue based on two cents per month per home from its carriers.
Angle Leaving
Kurt Angle confirmed that his final shows with TNA will be the U.K. tour. His plans include trying to break into acting and writing a second autobiography, claiming the WWE was too hands on regarding the first one. He said he will be starting filming in March a movie called "Epidemic." He said he'd like to get into acting and doing comedies and dramas as opposed to action movies. Jeremy Borash was shooting an Angle documentary while both were in the U.K. this past week. Borash also hosted Angle's talk shows that took place there this past week. Angle said he expected this tour would be his last time he would wrestle in the U.K., and if he had his way, he'd like to do a retirement match on the tour against A.J. Styles. He said he was very excited about the prospects going forward with Bellator.
Kurt Angle confirmed that his final shows with TNA will be the U.K. tour. His plans include trying to break into acting and writing a second autobiography, claiming the WWE was too hands on regarding the first one. He said he will be starting filming in March a movie called "Epidemic." He said he'd like to get into acting and doing comedies and dramas as opposed to action movies. Jeremy Borash was shooting an Angle documentary while both were in the U.K. this past week. Borash also hosted Angle's talk shows that took place there this past week. Angle said he expected this tour would be his last time he would wrestle in the U.K., and if he had his way, he'd like to do a retirement match on the tour against A.J. Styles. He said he was very excited about the prospects going forward with Bellator.
ROH News
There will be New Japan wrestlers on the first PPV show of 2016, the 14th Anniversary show on 2/26 in Las Vegas at Sam's Town Casino. The show will be between tours, so they'll have access to top names and Shinsuke Nakamura has already been announced for the PPV as well as the TV tapings the next day. Nakamura has family in California so will be coming in early.
There will be New Japan wrestlers on the first PPV show of 2016, the 14th Anniversary show on 2/26 in Las Vegas at Sam's Town Casino. The show will be between tours, so they'll have access to top names and Shinsuke Nakamura has already been announced for the PPV as well as the TV tapings the next day. Nakamura has family in California so will be coming in early.
Fish and O'Reilly
Contract negotiations for a new deal with Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly have stalled as the sides aren't close. There have been a few WWE wrestlers trying to recruit them, as right now NXT is looking to load up on workers for a more extensive schedule of big shows around the country in 2016 aiming at the same type of audience ROH draws from.
Contract negotiations for a new deal with Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly have stalled as the sides aren't close. There have been a few WWE wrestlers trying to recruit them, as right now NXT is looking to load up on workers for a more extensive schedule of big shows around the country in 2016 aiming at the same type of audience ROH draws from.
Lucha Underground Update
They did more taping over the weekend. Some notable things is that they've shot eight episodes of the 24 for the second season already, and thus far no signs of Rey Mysterio (who had bookings on major shows in Mexico this weekend). Konnan also hasn't been on the shows even though Prince Puma, who he was managing last season, was all over them.
They are taping shows out of order this season. It may be because of the availability of talent or may be because they don't want spoilers out, so these shows were taped on 11/21 for 2/24 and 3/2. It may be they are taping out of order because of the non availability of key talent with the big shows that took place in Mexico this week.
They did more taping over the weekend. Some notable things is that they've shot eight episodes of the 24 for the second season already, and thus far no signs of Rey Mysterio (who had bookings on major shows in Mexico this weekend). Konnan also hasn't been on the shows even though Prince Puma, who he was managing last season, was all over them.
They are taping shows out of order this season. It may be because of the availability of talent or may be because they don't want spoilers out, so these shows were taped on 11/21 for 2/24 and 3/2. It may be they are taping out of order because of the non availability of key talent with the big shows that took place in Mexico this week.