July 2020 – Page 33

WWE Stock Track – Wild Ride Ends Above $20

July 13, 2020 | News | No Comments

PWTorch editor Wade Keller presents a special Thursday Flagship edition of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast featuring a WrestleMania 36 Preview with ex-WWE Creative Team member and professional stand-up comedian Matt McCarthy.

(Search “wade keller” to subscribe in podcast app or CLICK HERE to subscribe in Apple Podcasts.)

WWE’s stock price was all over the place this week. There was an early-week peak, then a big drop on Wednesday, and a surge again on Friday following news of WWE Network expanding to India.

– Monday, October 19: Closing Price of $19.78 per share, up one percent from last Friday’s close of $19.60.

The stock came close to $20 per share, but settled at $19.87.

– Tuesday, October 20: Closing Price of $20.31 per share, up two-and-a-half percent from Monday’s close.

The stock climbed as high as $20.42 per share.

– Wednesday, October 21: Closing Price of $18.95 per share, down 6.7 percent from Tuesday’s close.

The stock started as high as $20.42, but fell as low as $18.90 per share.

– Thursday, October 22: Closing Price of $19.24 per share, up 1.5 percent from Wednesday’s close. There was not much movement on a low volume day.

Also, WWE declared its standard quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share for both Class A and B stock. The record date is December 15 and payment date is December 28.

– Friday, October 23: Closing Price of $20.82 per share, up eight percent from Thursday’s close.

The stock shot up as high as $21.33 per share, the highest point in two months dating back to August 21.

Updated 2015 Scoresheet

2015 High – $23.63 (Aug. 6)
2015 Low – $9.82 (Jan. 20 – 52-week low)
52-Week Range – $9.82-23.63
Current Market Value – $1.58 billion

wwewwe dividendwwe networkwwe stock

By Tncse

WWE announces Greatest Royal Rumble pre-show panelists

July 13, 2020 | News | No Comments

While Jerry Lawler had said he and Jim Ross would be doing commentary for the show, it looks like they’ll be in a slightly different role at the Greatest Royal Rumble.

WWE announced today that Lawler, Ross, and Booker T will be pre-show panelists for the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia. With no women from WWE on the event, Byron Saxton will be hosting the pre-show broadcast instead of Renee Young.

Lawler and Ross did make an appearance on commentary at WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans, calling the 2018 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Lawler later revealed that he suffered a stroke at his home on March 21st, but he felt better in the days after the stroke and was able to make WrestleMania weekend.

The hour-long Greatest Royal Rumble pre-show is scheduled to begin on the WWE Network at 11 a.m. Eastern time this Friday. The main card is listed as running for five hours.

By Tncse

11/9 Raw TV Ratings – Raw falls again, hits viewership low

July 13, 2020 | News | No Comments

Monday’s Raw TV ratings fell again despite the show representing a “starting over” point following Seth Rollins’s major knee injury, which created a vacancy in the WWE Title picture. Raw also hit viewership low points…

WWE Raw TV Ratings

— November 9: Raw scored a 2.23 rating, down one-tenth from a 2.32 rating last week. Raw was also down two-tenths from a 2.46 rating two weeks ago for the post-HIAC episode.

Despite the overall rating declining, Raw was up one-tenth of a rating in their key male demos compared to last week. ESPN’s Monday Night Football drew a standard audience, but WWE may have lost viewers outside of adults & males 18-49 with a big wrestling market like Chicago represented on MNF.

What appears to have contributed to the overall rating declining can be found in the hourly viewership.

– Raw averaged 3.173 million viewers, down 2.3 percent from last week’s year-low 3.248 million viewers. The latest historical low-point for Raw included the following hourly break down:

3.480 million first hour viewers (up from last week, showing initial intrigue for the Seth Rollins news & WWE Title tournament set-up).
3.177 million second hour viewers (another sharp second hour decline in October and November).
2.863 million third hour viewers, easily the least-watched hour of a standard Raw in two decades. It was the first time an hour of Raw drew fewer than three million viewers since Christmas Eve 2012 when the first hour drew 2.940 million viewers.

Within the third hour, there is additional demographic info on what contributed to the sharp decline. Adult males held up, while all other portions of the audience fell more than usual…

Males 18-49: 1.57 rating essentially unchanged a 1.56 third hour rating.
Women 18-49: 0.67 fell to a 0.57 rating
Women 25-54: 0.74 fell to a 0.59 rating
Teenagers: 1.18 fell to a 1.00 rating
Kids 2-11 watching with their parents: 0.56 fell to a 0.40 rating

Caldwell’s Analysis: The third hour tells a few stories (outside of the weekly conclusion that Raw is too long). First, WWE did not strongly promote a key tournament match occurring in the final hour. Instead, the default main event was a six-man tag match leading into the final quarter-hour.

The final segment was built around another Wyatt Family promo, which is not a strong-enough hook to stay up late to watch when the promos have become tired or non-sensical. We don’t have the over-run numbers, but it appears that not enough casual/irregular viewers were aware of the surprise of The Undertaker and Kane returning in that final segment, which was taped a few hours earlier in the U.K. So, the conclusion is the audience did not know to stick around for the big ending.

It appears there was early intrigue in the Seth Rollins update and WWE Title tournament announcement, but the audience tapered off as the show went on. This week, the drop-off from the first to third hour was very pronounced – a 17 percent decline.

rawthe undertakerthe wyattswwewwe rawwwe title tournament

By Tncse

An update on subscriber content access issues

July 13, 2020 | News | No Comments

Click:satellite production platforms

If you’re reading this, you’re aware of the issues over the past 36 hours that have affected the ability to easily stream audio via the website/RSS or to view subscriber content like the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Obviously, we apologize for the issues and have been working behind the scenes to resolve them short-term and long-term. Long story short, the issue was caused by our hosting provider seeing a higher than usual surge of traffic post-WWE Backlash and assuming it was a DDOS attack on our site. Technical issues followed and here we are. In any case, it’s unacceptable to us and we are working to resolve it so this doesn’t happen again.

Here’s what the story is as of 9 PM Eastern Tuesday:

– All subscriber content should be fully functioning when trying to access it on the website. At times, it may take a few extra seconds to load, but everything is operational. If you are an active subscriber and still cannot access the website content, clear your browser cache and please try again.

Note that the link to download requires a left click and your username and password, case-sensitive.

– If you are using a podcast ‘catcher’ like Downcast or Podcast Addict, content is available via the RSS but might be a bit slower to download than usual. One tip is to delete your existing feed and re-enter using https instead of http when prompted to enter the URL. Here’s a list of all the various RSS feeds in case you need them again.

Again, thanks for your patience as we work through these technical issues.

By Tncse

Complete EVOLVE Tag Tournament field

July 13, 2020 | News | No Comments

WWNLive has finalized the eight-team field for their EVOLVE Tag Title tournament running January 22-24 in Florida.

The final two teams are Drew Gulak & T.J. Perkins and Team Tremendous (Dan Barry & Bill Carr). The field is now:

“NXT & TNA” Johnny Gargano & Drew Galloway
RPG Vice (Trent Baretta & Rocky Romero)
PAB (Anthony Nese & Caleb Konley w/So Cal Val)
EVOLVE champion Timothy Thatcher & Zack Sabre, Jr.
Chris Hero & Tommy End
The Bravado Brothers
Drew Gulak & T.J. Perkins
Team Tremendous (Dan Barry & Bill Car)

The schedule is EVOLVE 53, 54, and 55 on January 22 in Ybor City, Jan. 23 in Orlando, and Jan. 24 in Orlando, respectively.

EVOLVE 53 – Jan. 22 in Ybor City

– First Round EVOLVE Tag Title tournament matches.

– Style Battle Tournament begins with Round Robin format. The four wrestlers included are:

Matt Riddle
Three more TBA

EVOLVE 54 – Jan. 23 in Orlando

Semi-finals of EVOLVE Tag Title tournament
Second Chance Tag Tournament begins with losing teams from E53

EVOLVE 55 – Jan. 24 in Orlando

Finals of EVOLVE Tag Title tournament
Winners of Second Chance tournament and losers of EVOLVE Tag Title semi-finals meet in four-team match to determine future Tag Title shot

[ Ticket Info on all three shows in Florida can be found at DGUSA.TV ]

evolveevolve tag titleswwnlive

By Tncse

Lana, Naomi qualify for WWE Money in the Bank

July 13, 2020 | News | No Comments

Two more women have qualified for the upcoming women’s Money in the Bank ladder match.

Lana was the first to qualify tonight on SmackDown. She beat Billie Kaye in a pretty short match to qualify. There were some shenanigans as Peyton Royce got involved on the outside. Kaye jumped her from behind and threw her in the ring, but Lana cut her off with a kick then planted her with a facebuster for the win.

Naomi followed suit later on the evening. She defeated Sonya Deville in a relatively short match with a roll-up. She joins Lana, Ember Moon, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Becky Lynch and Natalya.

Raw on Monday will determine the final entrant in the ladder match, which will take place at the Allstate Arena in Illinois on June 17. Bayley, Dana Brooke, Liv Morgan, Mickie James, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan and Sasha Banks will compete in a battle royal to determine the last participant.

By Tncse

Kurt Angle talks ending TNA run, not retiring

July 13, 2020 | News | No Comments

Kurt Angle confirmed in a radio interview that his final matches for TNA will be on the U.K. Tour in January. However, he is not retiring.

“Let’s not forget. These (dates) are it,” Angle said on BBC Radio with host Steve Wright. “My contract’s up. I’m done.”

The host was quite skeptical. Angle replied, “I didn’t say I’m retiring. I’m saying this is my final match in the U.K. for TNA. This is it.”

Angle, 47, has said in other media interviews that he wants to take a year away from pro wrestling, while calling Bellator MMA fights, before evaluating the next chapter of his wrestling career.

Earlier in the BBC Radio conversation, Angle talked about how amazed he is that John Cena has been on top of WWE for ten years when Angle “had to leave WWE because my body couldn’t handle it.”

Angle also talked about Hulk Hogan still being a draw if he were welcomed back to WWE. “Hulk is the man. I love the guy. He wants to come back again.”

impactkurt angletnatna wrestling

By Tncse

Daily Pro Wrestling History (06/07): CM Punk cashes in to win World title

July 13, 2020 | News | No Comments

1933

Kansas City, Missouri:

– NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jim Londos beat Everette Marshall by a third fall DQ

– Charlie Fischer beat Joe Wilson

– Johnny Shoop defeated Joe Ferguson

1951

Kansas City, Kansas:

– Gorgeous George beat Heart of America Heavyweight Champion Dennis Clary by DQ

– Ray Eckert and Ronnie Etchison went to a 45 minute time limit draw

1956

Amarillo, Texas:

– Dizzy Davs and Sonny Myers defeated Art Nelson and Rip Rogers for the NWA Southwest Tag Team Titles

1960

Osaka, Japan:

– Rikidozan and Toyonobori defeated Dan Miller and Frank Valois to win the JWA All Asia Tag Team Titles

1962

Amarillo, Texas:

– Dory Funk, Sr. won the NWA North American Heavyweight Title (Amarillo version) by defeating Fritz Von Erich

Chattanooga, Tennessee:

– Joe Lanza defeated Taro Sakuro for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title

1966

Quebec City, Quebec, Canada:

– Edouard Carpentier defeated Hans Schmidt to win the International Wrestling Association International Heavyweight Title

1969

San Antonio, Texas:

– Jose Lothario defeated Johnny Valentine to win the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title

San Francisco, California:

– Ray Stevens defeated King Curtis Iaukea for the San Francisco version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Title

1972

Mobile, Alabama:

– Gorgeous George, Jr. defeated Bob Kelly to win the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title

1976

Fukuyama, Japan:

– Rip Tyler and Eddie Sullivan defeated The Great Kusatsu and Mighty Inoue to win the International Wrestling Enterprise (International Wrestling Alliance) World Tag Team Titles

1978

Raleigh, North Carolina:

– Paul Jones defeated Baron Von Raschke for the NWA TV Title

1979

Tokyo, Japan:

– Antonio Inoki pinned Stan Hansen in the finals of the New Japan MSG League

1980

San Francisco, California:

– Ed Wiskoski defeated George Wells for the San Francisco version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Title

1981

Roanoke, Virginia:

– Terry Taylor defeated Les Thornton for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title

Kansas City, Kansas:

– Bob Sweetan defeated Buzz Tyler to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title

1982

Greenville, South Carolina:

– Sgt. Slaughter defeated Wahoo McDaniel to win the NWA United States Heavyweight Title

1983

Croydon, England:

– Marty Jones defeated Dave Finlay to win the World Mid-Heavyweight Title

1984

Bayamon, Puerto Rico:

– The Medics defeated Invader III and Toru Tanaka for the vacant WWC North American Tag Team Titles

1987

Orlando, Florida:

– Mike Rotunda defeated Dory Funk, Jr. to win the held up NWA Florida Heavyweight Title

1990

Tokyo, Japan:

– El Hijo del Santo defeated Fuerza Guerrera for the World Wrestling Association World Welterweight Title

1991

Dallas, Texas:

– Tom Prichard defeated Bill Dundee to win the WCWA Texas Heavyweight Title

Baltimore, Maryland:

– Black Blood pinned Tim Horner

– Ricky Morton & Dustin Rhodes defeated Dutch Mantell & Moondog Rex

– The Angel of Death pinned Sam Houston

– Bobby Eaton pinned Terrance Taylor

– WCW World Champion Ric Flair defeated El Gigante via count-out in a No DQ match

– Missy Hyatt defeated Paul E. Dangerously in an arm wrestling contest

– Barry Windham pinned Brian Pillman in a taped fist match

– WCW Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Arn Anderson & the One Man Gang in a No DQ match

Green Bay, Wisconsin:

– Steve Austin defeated Tommy Angel

– Mike Graham defeated Black Bart

– Oz defeated Tommy Rich

– Tom Zenk defeated the Diamond Studd via disqualification

– The Junkyard Dog defeated Rip Rogers

– Tracey Smothers & Steve Armstrong defeated WCW US Tag Team Champion Michael Hayes & Badstreet (sub. for WCW US Tag Team Champion Jimmy Garvin)

– WCW US Champion Lex Luger fought Nikita Koloff to a double count-out

1992

Atlanta, Georgia:

– Ron Simmons won a 20-man battle royal

– Barry Windham pinned Big Josh

– The Super Invader pinned Jimmy Garvin

– Dustin Rhodes pinned Bobby Eaton

– WCW Tag Team Champion Scott Steiner pinned the Great Muta

– Nikita Koloff pinned Vinnie Vegas

– WCW US Champion Rick Rude pinned Ricky Steamboat

– Ron Simmons pinned Arn Anderson

– WCW World Champion Sting pinned WCW TV Champion Steve Austin

1993

Cumberland, Kentucky:

– Bobby Blaze defeated Tony Anthony for the vacant SMW Television Title

1994

Loudon, Tennessee:

– Tracy Smothers defeated Kendo the Samurai to win the SMW Television Title

1996

Sapporo, Japan:

– Hiromichi Fuyuki, Gedo and Jado won the WAR World Six-Man Tag Team Titles by defeating Youji Anjoh, Yoshihiro Takayama and Kenichi Yamamoto

1997

ECW Wrestlepalooza: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

– The Pitbulls (Pitbull #1 and Pitbull #2) defeated The F.B.I. (Little Guido and Tracy Smothers) (with Tommy Rich)

– The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray and D-Von) (with Joel Gertner, Sign Guy and Big Dick) defeated The Sandman and Balls Mahoney

– Terry Funk defeated Chris Candido

– Tommy Dreamer (with Beulah McGillicutty) defeated Raven (with Chastity and Lupus) in a Loser Leaves Town match

– Sabu (with Bill Alfonso) defeated Taz

– Taz defeated Shane Douglas with Francine to win the ECW World Television Championship

– The Eliminators (John Kronus and Perry Saturn) defeated The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray and D-Von) (with Joel Gertner, Sign Guy and Big Dick) to retain the ECW World Tag Team Championship

1998

Chihuahua, Mexico:

– Perro Aguayo, Sr. and Perro Aguayo, Jr. defeated Fuerza Guerrera and Mosco de la Merced for the Mexico National Tag Team Titles

2003

Cayey, Puerto Rico:

– Chris Candido defeated Fidel Sierra to win the WWC Television Title

– Dominican Boy defeated Eddie Colon for the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title

– Broncos II and III won the WWC World Tag Team Title by defeating Thunder and Lightning

2009

WWE Extreme Rules: New Orleans, Louisiana:

– Chris Jericho defeated Rey Mysterio to win the WWE Intercontinental Title

– Tommy Dreamer won the ECW Title by defeating Jack Swagger and Christian in an extreme rules match

– Batista defeated Randy Orton to win the WWE Championship in a steel cage match

– Jeff Hardy defeated World Champion Edge in a Ladder Match to win the title

– CM Punk cashed in the Money in the Bank briefcase and defeated Jeff Hardy to win title

By Tncse

12/31 Smackdown Ratings – DVR Update

July 13, 2020 | News | No Comments

The final Smackdown of 2015 and the final Smackdown on Syfy drew an audience at the level of Thanksgiving Smackdown one month earlier.

WWE Smackdown Ratings Tracking

– December 31: Smackdown finished its run on Syfy with a 1.15 rating on New Year’s Eve.

It was the same as a 1.15 rating on Thanksgiving, November 26.

Smackdown drew 1.658 million viewers, almost identical to 1.652 million viewers on Thanksgiving.

The NYE episode followed a Super Smackdown that aired live on USA Network, then replayed on Syfy as part of “WWE Week.”

– DVR Update: Smackdown added 252,000 viewers via DVR viewing, which is slightly above-average to help offset the weak initial viewing on New Year’s Eve.

The added viewership brought the total to 1.910 million viewers with live and DVR’ing.

smackdownsmackdown ratingswwe smackdown

By Tncse

Mattis’ departure from White House expedited as Trump announces replacement

July 13, 2020 | News | No Comments

Donald Trump, the US president, on Sunday said he was replacing Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Jan. 1 with deputy defense secretary Patrick Shanahan in an acting capacity after Mr Mattis resigned over policy differences and offered to stay in his post for two more months.

A source familiar with the situation told Reuters that Trump was irked by the attention given to Mr Mattis’ resignation letter, which implicitly criticized Trump’s foreign policies and his treatment of military allies after the president’s decision to pull troops out of Syria.

Mr Trump announced Mr Shanahan’s appointment in a tweet, calling the former Boeing Co executive "very talented".

In a shock announcement on Wednesday, Trump said he was withdrawing US troops from Syria, a decision that upended American policy in the region.

Mr Trump expedited Mr Mattis’ departure by tweeting on Sunday.

"I am pleased to announce that our very talented Deputy Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan, will assume the title of Acting Secretary of Defense starting January 1, 2019," the Republican leader tweeted, accelerating Mr Mattis’s planned departure by two months.

"Patrick has a long list of accomplishments while serving as Deputy, & previously Boeing. He will be great!"

This is a developing story, more to follow

By Tncse

Recent News

Month: July 2020