Week in Wrestling #28
Wrestling News From the week of
February 14th- February 19, 2016
February 14th- February 19, 2016
WWE Fast Lane lineup
Fast Lane on 2/21 in Cleveland, which has plenty of seats remaining, a rarity as most WWE PPVs these days sell out in advance, the lineup at press time is Reigns vs. Lesnar vs. Ambrose for the WrestleMania title shot at HHH, New IC champion Owens (who won it in a five-way on the 2/15 Raw) defending against Ziggler, Jericho vs. Styles, Charlotte vs. Brie Bella for the Divas title, Wyatt Family vs. Ryback & Show & Kane, Lynch & Banks vs. Naomi & Tamina, Edge & Christian “Cutting Edge” interview New Day, and the pre-show match will be a 2/3 fall U.S title match with Kalisto defending against Del Rio.
Fast Lane on 2/21 in Cleveland, which has plenty of seats remaining, a rarity as most WWE PPVs these days sell out in advance, the lineup at press time is Reigns vs. Lesnar vs. Ambrose for the WrestleMania title shot at HHH, New IC champion Owens (who won it in a five-way on the 2/15 Raw) defending against Ziggler, Jericho vs. Styles, Charlotte vs. Brie Bella for the Divas title, Wyatt Family vs. Ryback & Show & Kane, Lynch & Banks vs. Naomi & Tamina, Edge & Christian “Cutting Edge” interview New Day, and the pre-show match will be a 2/3 fall U.S title match with Kalisto defending against Del Rio.
Will Cena be back for Mania?
John Cena sent out a cryptic tweet: “Gamble, take risky action in hope of a desired result. Time to gamble I think. It’s gonna be a risky next two weeks.” Obviously him being back for Mania, which would be way ahead of schedule for a torn rotator cuff (July or August would be the return for a normal human being), could be what he’s talking about.
Cena has on two occasions after surgeries (for a torn pec and for a torn triceps) come back months earlier than expected with the joke that he’s got mutant healing powers, or something like that. If they expect Cena back, that would explain not getting any heels ready for Undertaker since Undertaker vs. Cena was on the books before Cena was injured and needed surgery. But right now, that is not the plan.
John Cena sent out a cryptic tweet: “Gamble, take risky action in hope of a desired result. Time to gamble I think. It’s gonna be a risky next two weeks.” Obviously him being back for Mania, which would be way ahead of schedule for a torn rotator cuff (July or August would be the return for a normal human being), could be what he’s talking about.
Cena has on two occasions after surgeries (for a torn pec and for a torn triceps) come back months earlier than expected with the joke that he’s got mutant healing powers, or something like that. If they expect Cena back, that would explain not getting any heels ready for Undertaker since Undertaker vs. Cena was on the books before Cena was injured and needed surgery. But right now, that is not the plan.
Updated Mania Plans
There is a top of the WrestleMania card done, as we’ve been told Undertaker has a match. We don’t know the opponent, other than being told the planned name isn’t Cena, Owens, Lesnar or Strowman, and that it is someone who is not on the roster right now. Don’t know if that starts the Sting rumors up, because that’s the first name that would come to mind at this point, but Sting’s neck has spinal stenosis, needs neck surgery, and he’ll be 57 by that time. But they could always do a loser must retire match since undoubtedly that would be Sting’s last match if such a bout were to happen.
An angle for a proposed Stardust vs. Stephen Amell match at WrestleMania took place on 2/13 at the Comic Con in Dallas. Amell was there as a guest doing a Q&A when Stardust showed up, in costume, and threw a glass of water in Amell’s face. The angle was originally planned to take place last month at a wrestling convention in New Jersey, but the blizzard forced cancellation of that event. Amell looked good for a non-wrestler in working a tag match with Neville and Stardust & Barrett at SummerSlam this past year
There is a top of the WrestleMania card done, as we’ve been told Undertaker has a match. We don’t know the opponent, other than being told the planned name isn’t Cena, Owens, Lesnar or Strowman, and that it is someone who is not on the roster right now. Don’t know if that starts the Sting rumors up, because that’s the first name that would come to mind at this point, but Sting’s neck has spinal stenosis, needs neck surgery, and he’ll be 57 by that time. But they could always do a loser must retire match since undoubtedly that would be Sting’s last match if such a bout were to happen.
An angle for a proposed Stardust vs. Stephen Amell match at WrestleMania took place on 2/13 at the Comic Con in Dallas. Amell was there as a guest doing a Q&A when Stardust showed up, in costume, and threw a glass of water in Amell’s face. The angle was originally planned to take place last month at a wrestling convention in New Jersey, but the blizzard forced cancellation of that event. Amell looked good for a non-wrestler in working a tag match with Neville and Stardust & Barrett at SummerSlam this past year
Axl Rotten OD'd
The cause of death of Axl Rotten on 2/4 came back quicker than expected. The Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore reported that Knighton’s death was due to an accidental overdose. Knighton was found at 3:09 p.m. unconscious and not breathing on the bathroom floor of a McDonald’s in Linthicum, MD, while on his way to the airport to fly to Australia to spend time with a fan who was paying his way over and to spend time with them. Police had found drug paraphernalia and a broken burnt tablespoon with a “crystalline residue” and capsules of a brownish substance that was believed to have been heroin was on top of the paper towel dispenser
The cause of death of Axl Rotten on 2/4 came back quicker than expected. The Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore reported that Knighton’s death was due to an accidental overdose. Knighton was found at 3:09 p.m. unconscious and not breathing on the bathroom floor of a McDonald’s in Linthicum, MD, while on his way to the airport to fly to Australia to spend time with a fan who was paying his way over and to spend time with them. Police had found drug paraphernalia and a broken burnt tablespoon with a “crystalline residue” and capsules of a brownish substance that was believed to have been heroin was on top of the paper towel dispenser
WWE Investors Call Discussion Points
We reported much of the major news last week, so check that out for numbers information. The company’s business at this point is built around rights fees and network revenues. Rights fees, based on current contracts, will continue to increase over the next few years. They are a fixed total not dependent upon how creative or interest levels are doing currently. Obviously when current contracts are up, at that point interest levels and ratings will be key factors in new negotiations, as will the big picture state of the television industry.
After the annual figures were released on 2/11, even though the news was far more positive than negative, it was the decline in WWE Network subscribers that offset most of the positive news and stock dropped below $15 per share within a few days.
Television ratings declined significantly, which has become a hotly debated topic between those who believe the ratings are down due to a less interesting product and those who believe all television has declined and WWE’s decline just mirrors the television industry, and that with Hulu and YouTube viewership that it offsets the ratings decline.
The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Raw hasn’t declined as much as other programming on the USA Network, but that’s because the network has declined significantly as compared with other networks. Raw’s year-to-year decline is greater than any of the major sports, some of which, like baseball, hockey and MMA, showed significant increases over the past year.
Another negative on the Raw rating is the third hour decline, when historically the 10-11:05 p.m. hour had always been the highest rated. That can’t be blamed on people consuming it in other fashions, because the decline is of people who were watching the show and then tuned out as the show went on.
We reported much of the major news last week, so check that out for numbers information. The company’s business at this point is built around rights fees and network revenues. Rights fees, based on current contracts, will continue to increase over the next few years. They are a fixed total not dependent upon how creative or interest levels are doing currently. Obviously when current contracts are up, at that point interest levels and ratings will be key factors in new negotiations, as will the big picture state of the television industry.
After the annual figures were released on 2/11, even though the news was far more positive than negative, it was the decline in WWE Network subscribers that offset most of the positive news and stock dropped below $15 per share within a few days.
Television ratings declined significantly, which has become a hotly debated topic between those who believe the ratings are down due to a less interesting product and those who believe all television has declined and WWE’s decline just mirrors the television industry, and that with Hulu and YouTube viewership that it offsets the ratings decline.
The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Raw hasn’t declined as much as other programming on the USA Network, but that’s because the network has declined significantly as compared with other networks. Raw’s year-to-year decline is greater than any of the major sports, some of which, like baseball, hockey and MMA, showed significant increases over the past year.
Another negative on the Raw rating is the third hour decline, when historically the 10-11:05 p.m. hour had always been the highest rated. That can’t be blamed on people consuming it in other fashions, because the decline is of people who were watching the show and then tuned out as the show went on.
New WWE Cruiserweight Show
WWE made official the story we’d been reporting on regarding a light heavyweight television tournament as a WWE Network exclusive.
The show, called the Global Cruiserweight Series, will be a ten-week long tournament airing on Wednesdays at 9 p.m., immediately after NXT, starting on 7/13, with the championship final on 9/14.
The show will be a 32-man single elimination tournament with all wrestlers under 205 pounds. As noted here, at one point the idea was for all 32 wrestlers to be unsigned wrestlers. Later, the idea was to have both wrestlers under contract but who had not appeared on NXT yet, as well as unsigned wrestlers invited, with the tournament being something of a tryout to see how well they do and how audiences react to them.
At least at one point, the tournament was designed as a vehicle to introduce Manny Andrade, the former La Sombra.
HHH said that William Regal is looking at talent all over the world, to find both wrestlers people know and those who people aren’t aware of yet. He in specific said that while they can’t use talent with New Japan (and this would apply to TNA as well as those contracted to ROH or Lucha Underground, whether ROH will allow non-contracted guys to appear or WWE would use guys who work for ROH is a question that time will tell on), they are looking at people from Progress, Evolve and Revolution Pro.
He categorized the tournament as both a recruiting tool for WWE, but also a platform for the talent to increase their name value if they aren’t signed and stay on the independent scene.
The matches will all be taped in conjunction with the NXT tapings at Full Sail University.
While the primary objective is to try out the idea of a cruiserweight show, doing a “Tough Enough” type thing with undiscovered talent that are actually already good wrestlers as opposed to untrained people with good looks, a secondary objective is to send word to talent that may have thought size would hinder them in WWE to not sign with New Japan, ROH, TNA or Lucha Underground.
The show is looking at being probably three or four matches per week, and with personality profiles to introduce the talent. They will be announcing and promoting the talent prior to the first episode airing.
While at this point there is only a plan for this as an experimental series, HHH is hoping it becomes a recurring network show.
WWE made official the story we’d been reporting on regarding a light heavyweight television tournament as a WWE Network exclusive.
The show, called the Global Cruiserweight Series, will be a ten-week long tournament airing on Wednesdays at 9 p.m., immediately after NXT, starting on 7/13, with the championship final on 9/14.
The show will be a 32-man single elimination tournament with all wrestlers under 205 pounds. As noted here, at one point the idea was for all 32 wrestlers to be unsigned wrestlers. Later, the idea was to have both wrestlers under contract but who had not appeared on NXT yet, as well as unsigned wrestlers invited, with the tournament being something of a tryout to see how well they do and how audiences react to them.
At least at one point, the tournament was designed as a vehicle to introduce Manny Andrade, the former La Sombra.
HHH said that William Regal is looking at talent all over the world, to find both wrestlers people know and those who people aren’t aware of yet. He in specific said that while they can’t use talent with New Japan (and this would apply to TNA as well as those contracted to ROH or Lucha Underground, whether ROH will allow non-contracted guys to appear or WWE would use guys who work for ROH is a question that time will tell on), they are looking at people from Progress, Evolve and Revolution Pro.
He categorized the tournament as both a recruiting tool for WWE, but also a platform for the talent to increase their name value if they aren’t signed and stay on the independent scene.
The matches will all be taped in conjunction with the NXT tapings at Full Sail University.
While the primary objective is to try out the idea of a cruiserweight show, doing a “Tough Enough” type thing with undiscovered talent that are actually already good wrestlers as opposed to untrained people with good looks, a secondary objective is to send word to talent that may have thought size would hinder them in WWE to not sign with New Japan, ROH, TNA or Lucha Underground.
The show is looking at being probably three or four matches per week, and with personality profiles to introduce the talent. They will be announcing and promoting the talent prior to the first episode airing.
While at this point there is only a plan for this as an experimental series, HHH is hoping it becomes a recurring network show.
RAW Rating
Raw on 2/15 did 3,462,000 viewers. It was the second lowest watched episode of the show outside of holidays or football season since early 1997, beating only the 3,371,000 viewers on 2/1.
But that number can’t be viewed that negatively, given the declining numbers overall, a show headlined by Big Show vs. Braun Strowman (and while the third hour declined, I expected more of a decline), and competition with the Grammy Awards that did 24,951,000 viewers head-to-head.
The first hour did 3,661,000 viewers. The second hour did 3,537,000 viewers. The third hour did 3,233,000 viewers.
Raw on 2/15 did 3,462,000 viewers. It was the second lowest watched episode of the show outside of holidays or football season since early 1997, beating only the 3,371,000 viewers on 2/1.
But that number can’t be viewed that negatively, given the declining numbers overall, a show headlined by Big Show vs. Braun Strowman (and while the third hour declined, I expected more of a decline), and competition with the Grammy Awards that did 24,951,000 viewers head-to-head.
The first hour did 3,661,000 viewers. The second hour did 3,537,000 viewers. The third hour did 3,233,000 viewers.
Daniel Bryan Convulsion Talk
Regarding the convulsions, the story going around that he hid convulsions from doctors in an attempt to get cleared to wrestle is absolutely not true. He had four convulsions after concussions, the last being about four years ago. Every doctor involved was aware, and he was given full clearance to do anything, and he was actively training hard very recently. It is logical, and probable, that one of the reasons, if not the main reason, Dr. Joseph Maroon wouldn’t clear him is because Danielson made him aware of that. But the other doctors were also made aware of that and because they were so many years ago, did not see it as a concern.
Danielson’s remarks about hiding the convulsions stems from years ago, as when he did get them originally, he told nobody, not even his then-girlfriend Brie (this was before they were married, as they became a couple around early 2011), for fear they wouldn’t let him wrestle. Brie was there when he had one later. It should be noted that no doctor, with the exception of Maroon, and I don’t know what words Maroon told him past he wasn’t going to clear him, told him to retire. Doctors who were highly regarded, and the UCLA doctors were among the best concussion doctors in the country, told him he was fine to do anything he wants.
The doctor who conducted the test that led to him deciding to retire never told him to retire, only pointed out that he did have an existing problem that he was previously unaware of. But he made a decision that if there was something wrong he wouldn’t continue. He did never publicly talked about having convulsions until the ESPN interview on 2/9.
Regarding the convulsions, the story going around that he hid convulsions from doctors in an attempt to get cleared to wrestle is absolutely not true. He had four convulsions after concussions, the last being about four years ago. Every doctor involved was aware, and he was given full clearance to do anything, and he was actively training hard very recently. It is logical, and probable, that one of the reasons, if not the main reason, Dr. Joseph Maroon wouldn’t clear him is because Danielson made him aware of that. But the other doctors were also made aware of that and because they were so many years ago, did not see it as a concern.
Danielson’s remarks about hiding the convulsions stems from years ago, as when he did get them originally, he told nobody, not even his then-girlfriend Brie (this was before they were married, as they became a couple around early 2011), for fear they wouldn’t let him wrestle. Brie was there when he had one later. It should be noted that no doctor, with the exception of Maroon, and I don’t know what words Maroon told him past he wasn’t going to clear him, told him to retire. Doctors who were highly regarded, and the UCLA doctors were among the best concussion doctors in the country, told him he was fine to do anything he wants.
The doctor who conducted the test that led to him deciding to retire never told him to retire, only pointed out that he did have an existing problem that he was previously unaware of. But he made a decision that if there was something wrong he wouldn’t continue. He did never publicly talked about having convulsions until the ESPN interview on 2/9.
Brie confirms Retirement
Brie Bella, 32, confirmed on ABC’s Good Morning America on 2/16 that she would be retiring. Both Danielsons were on the show talking about his retirement and she said, “It’s time for me to hang up the boots. That day is very close.” She wasn’t on camera giving a time frame but the reporter said her announcement would be made this summer. As noted in last week’s issue, she had made the decision to retire and start a family some time back, because her friends were aware of it well before Bryan decided to retire. Not only did Good Morning America do a piece on the Danielson retirement that day, but it was also one of the stories covered that night on “Nightline” with some of the same clips.
Regarding Brie Bella and the rest of the women’s division, right now there are plans for two womens matches on the WrestleMania card. Of course that can change, but one would be a title match and the other would be some kind of a match to get several of the other women on the show.
Brie Bella, 32, confirmed on ABC’s Good Morning America on 2/16 that she would be retiring. Both Danielsons were on the show talking about his retirement and she said, “It’s time for me to hang up the boots. That day is very close.” She wasn’t on camera giving a time frame but the reporter said her announcement would be made this summer. As noted in last week’s issue, she had made the decision to retire and start a family some time back, because her friends were aware of it well before Bryan decided to retire. Not only did Good Morning America do a piece on the Danielson retirement that day, but it was also one of the stories covered that night on “Nightline” with some of the same clips.
Regarding Brie Bella and the rest of the women’s division, right now there are plans for two womens matches on the WrestleMania card. Of course that can change, but one would be a title match and the other would be some kind of a match to get several of the other women on the show.
Titus Update
We told you last week that Titus O'Neal's suspension has been reduced to 60 days, but the company is taking major heat and criticism for the suspension. One form came from a New York Post story written where they printed some tweets from fans who blamed the suspension on racism.
In talking with several in the company, nobody had anything close to a reasonable explanation why he would be suspended past the point Vince’s reaction made Vince look bad, but it was a split second on TV and it was more of an overreaction of a guy who got panicked when somebody grabbed him. Vince was said to be furious about it, so that’s what happened.
Batista, who is good friends with O’Neil, wasn’t happy about this and wrote on Twitter saying that he called O’Neil and told him to ask to be released.
We told you last week that Titus O'Neal's suspension has been reduced to 60 days, but the company is taking major heat and criticism for the suspension. One form came from a New York Post story written where they printed some tweets from fans who blamed the suspension on racism.
In talking with several in the company, nobody had anything close to a reasonable explanation why he would be suspended past the point Vince’s reaction made Vince look bad, but it was a split second on TV and it was more of an overreaction of a guy who got panicked when somebody grabbed him. Vince was said to be furious about it, so that’s what happened.
Batista, who is good friends with O’Neil, wasn’t happy about this and wrote on Twitter saying that he called O’Neil and told him to ask to be released.
Wade Barrett Leaving WWE?
Pro Wrestling Sheet reported that Barrett, who is not wrestling due to nerve issues in his neck, will not be renewing his contract when it expires in June. WWE nor Barrett have confirmed nor denied that was the case, which is basically an unofficial confirmation. Barrett only said, “I’ll comment further at a more appropriate time but for now I’m 100 percent focused on doing my job for WWE.” I do know that Barrett had been interested in being a soccer analyst in the U.K. after his wrestling days were over. Barrett first signed with WWE in 2007 and was assigned to OVW, and later FCW, before being brought up in 2010 after winning the first season of NXT. He had a good early run including headlining PPV shows with Cena, but the last few years his career had pretty well stalled, and been slowed by injuries.
Pro Wrestling Sheet reported that Barrett, who is not wrestling due to nerve issues in his neck, will not be renewing his contract when it expires in June. WWE nor Barrett have confirmed nor denied that was the case, which is basically an unofficial confirmation. Barrett only said, “I’ll comment further at a more appropriate time but for now I’m 100 percent focused on doing my job for WWE.” I do know that Barrett had been interested in being a soccer analyst in the U.K. after his wrestling days were over. Barrett first signed with WWE in 2007 and was assigned to OVW, and later FCW, before being brought up in 2010 after winning the first season of NXT. He had a good early run including headlining PPV shows with Cena, but the last few years his career had pretty well stalled, and been slowed by injuries.
Cesaro Update
While Cesaro was in Germany this past week doing media and appearing at the WWE house shows, he said that he would not be able to make it back after shoulder surgery for WrestleMania. He said that he was given a probable six month timetable before returning after surgery, which took place on 11/23, so we are looking at an estimate of late May for his return. He said rehab is going well.
While Cesaro was in Germany this past week doing media and appearing at the WWE house shows, he said that he would not be able to make it back after shoulder surgery for WrestleMania. He said that he was given a probable six month timetable before returning after surgery, which took place on 11/23, so we are looking at an estimate of late May for his return. He said rehab is going well.
New Japan crowns new IC Champ
Kenny Omega won the vacant IWGP Intercontinental title beating Hiroshi Tanahashi at the 2/14 New Beginnings in Niigata PPV show. They had to make a new foreign superstar. Omega got the call.
Both came through in a match that at least as a live spectacle, appeared to hit all its marks. Omega came across good. Tanahashi, between his selling, the length of the match, and the match story, wasn’t hurt at all. The title, even with Nakamura not losing it, looked to have kept its credibility. And Omega vs. Tanahashi now looks like a major program going forward.
Kenny Omega won the vacant IWGP Intercontinental title beating Hiroshi Tanahashi at the 2/14 New Beginnings in Niigata PPV show. They had to make a new foreign superstar. Omega got the call.
Both came through in a match that at least as a live spectacle, appeared to hit all its marks. Omega came across good. Tanahashi, between his selling, the length of the match, and the match story, wasn’t hurt at all. The title, even with Nakamura not losing it, looked to have kept its credibility. And Omega vs. Tanahashi now looks like a major program going forward.
NJPW wants to secure Okada
Owner Takaaki Kidani said they are going to offer Kazuchika Okada a five-year contract, from April 2016 to April 2021, unheard of historically, because they want to build around him and make sure he doesn’t go to WWE. He also said the company has earmarked a $2 million marketing budget to make Okada a mainstream star. Kidani said that they are going to have to offer longer contracts to the top stars because they don’t want to turn into WWE’s minor league feeder system
Owner Takaaki Kidani said they are going to offer Kazuchika Okada a five-year contract, from April 2016 to April 2021, unheard of historically, because they want to build around him and make sure he doesn’t go to WWE. He also said the company has earmarked a $2 million marketing budget to make Okada a mainstream star. Kidani said that they are going to have to offer longer contracts to the top stars because they don’t want to turn into WWE’s minor league feeder system
Lucha Underground Ratings
The 2/9 episode of Lucha Underground set a new record for the promotion, with the first run episode doing 136,000 viewers, breaking the record of 125,000 set the previous week. The immediate replay did 81,000 viewers, up slightly from 76,000 last week, but down from 85,000 in the first week. The average viewer was 48 years old, but the male/female split was 70/30, which is still higher than WWE, but more in line with other wrestling shows, as compared to the 95/5 the week before.
What’s also notable is that the 2/2 show only did 5.5 percent more viewers via DVR, meaning that even though this show airs on a several month tape delay, its audience is hardcore and most watch it live and very few watch it via DVR.
The 2/9 episode of Lucha Underground set a new record for the promotion, with the first run episode doing 136,000 viewers, breaking the record of 125,000 set the previous week. The immediate replay did 81,000 viewers, up slightly from 76,000 last week, but down from 85,000 in the first week. The average viewer was 48 years old, but the male/female split was 70/30, which is still higher than WWE, but more in line with other wrestling shows, as compared to the 95/5 the week before.
What’s also notable is that the 2/2 show only did 5.5 percent more viewers via DVR, meaning that even though this show airs on a several month tape delay, its audience is hardcore and most watch it live and very few watch it via DVR.
Lucha Underground Money Issues
The company is once again going to have to raise money or sign deals bringing in more money for a fourth season, but they’ve got about a year to do it since they are said to have the money for the next season of tapings through mid-May. When that is done, will have all their television taped through the summer of 2017.
The company is trying to get a Lucha Underground movie produced for 2018 but people are skeptical that a brand on television with barely 130,000 viewers per week (the general feeling is that the replay show is mostly people watching originally staying to watch it a second time) would be strong enough to springboard a successful movie.
According to one company source, the amount of money lost thus far is, after two seasons, slightly less than half of what TNA had lost after ten years in business
The company is once again going to have to raise money or sign deals bringing in more money for a fourth season, but they’ve got about a year to do it since they are said to have the money for the next season of tapings through mid-May. When that is done, will have all their television taped through the summer of 2017.
The company is trying to get a Lucha Underground movie produced for 2018 but people are skeptical that a brand on television with barely 130,000 viewers per week (the general feeling is that the replay show is mostly people watching originally staying to watch it a second time) would be strong enough to springboard a successful movie.
According to one company source, the amount of money lost thus far is, after two seasons, slightly less than half of what TNA had lost after ten years in business
Rey Mysterio Contract
Super Luchas reported that Mysterio had only signed a one season deal, although we had been told it was a two season deal, and have gotten confirmation of that both with someone with the company and someone close to Mysterio. Unless there is a contract breach, he will be back for the next season of Lucha Underground. There are options in place in the deal where it can be extended to four seasons. Whether they’ll be able to afford him after season two, or they’ll even be around, and given his situation and what he would want to do at the time, will all play into whether it goes forward.
Everyone on both sides are working with the idea he’ll be back for the next season. The notable thing is that the Lucha Underground deals in most cases prohibit the talent from appearing on television with a rival promotion until after the season airs, not until after the tapings end. Based on that, if Mysterio is back for the next season, the earliest he could go to WWE or TNA (not that he would) could be the summer of 2017.
Super Luchas reported that Mysterio had only signed a one season deal, although we had been told it was a two season deal, and have gotten confirmation of that both with someone with the company and someone close to Mysterio. Unless there is a contract breach, he will be back for the next season of Lucha Underground. There are options in place in the deal where it can be extended to four seasons. Whether they’ll be able to afford him after season two, or they’ll even be around, and given his situation and what he would want to do at the time, will all play into whether it goes forward.
Everyone on both sides are working with the idea he’ll be back for the next season. The notable thing is that the Lucha Underground deals in most cases prohibit the talent from appearing on television with a rival promotion until after the season airs, not until after the tapings end. Based on that, if Mysterio is back for the next season, the earliest he could go to WWE or TNA (not that he would) could be the summer of 2017.
Konnan done with Lucha Underground
The general feeling is the announcement on the show this past week that Konnan had died was a "FU" to Konnan on the way out. The general feeling is the creative team is unbelievably thin-skinned, as noted also by the reaction to Jim Cornette at TripleMania, and Konnan was critical of their pet men vs. women idea like it’s some breakthrough concept and doing a mask vs. mask match and other stip matches on television with no storyline build-up
The general feeling is the announcement on the show this past week that Konnan had died was a "FU" to Konnan on the way out. The general feeling is the creative team is unbelievably thin-skinned, as noted also by the reaction to Jim Cornette at TripleMania, and Konnan was critical of their pet men vs. women idea like it’s some breakthrough concept and doing a mask vs. mask match and other stip matches on television with no storyline build-up