The Monday, December 29th edition of WWE RAW, which was the final episode of the show for 2014, averaged 3.458 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.
The 3.458 million viewer average for the show as a whole is a drop from last week’s Holiday-themed edition of the show, which averaged 3.631 million viewers.
The hourly viewership breakdown for Monday’s RAW is as follows:
Hour One: 3.174 million viewers
Hour Two: 3.476 million viewers
Hour Three: 3.726 million viewers
After announcing the re-signing of Kurt Angle on Tuesday, TNA has also confirmed that Abyss (aka Chris Parks) has also re-signed with the company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Many of the TNA deals have expired since the promotion’s last television taping, so it’s believed that we will see a number of re-signing announcements in the coming days.
Abyss posted the following on Twitter about his TNA signing.
Thank you @IMPACTWRESTLING & @JohnGaburick! Extremely proud of being a member of TNA since the beginning and our team pic.twitter.com/mQUKVefD5z
— Abyss (@TherealAbyss) December 31, 2014
– The New Day faction consisting of Big E., Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, ditched their normal blue gear in favor of red attire, which you can see in the following photos from this past weekend’s WWE live events.
Where was the blue tonight?! #WWERichmond #TheBlueDayAreNowTheRedRascals @TrueKofi @WWEBigE @XavierWoodsPhD pic.twitter.com/t4e5a9mPIg
— Jabot (@Jabotism) December 30, 2014
– The following are some statistics from the WWE Shop merchandise website:
WWE’s shop website averaged 933 orders per day in September 2014, up from the 567 per day in September 2013 and the 666 per day in September 2012
The shop website averaged 1,161 orders per day in October 2014, up from 935 per day in October 2013 and the 903 per day in October 2012
The shop website averaged 1,533 orders per day in November 2014, up from 867 per day in November 2013 and 1,267 per day in November 2012
(Partial Credit: F4WOnline.com)
– NXT Diva and former Total Divas cast member JoJo did some of the ring announcing at the WWE live event on Monday night in Richmond, Virginia.
– Ring Of Honor graduate Mandy Leon has been on the road with WWE working as a “Rosebud” for the past week. Below is a photo of Mandy with Adam Rose.
https://twitter.com/WWEAdamRose/status/549746753906696192
The five most-shipped WWE DVDs of 2014 so far are WrestleMania XXX, with 153,000 units sold, which is down from the 174,000 units from this time last year, Slam City with 100,000 units, The Ultimate Warrior Collection with 94,000 units, The Best of Sting with 66,000 units and WCW’s Greatest Pay-Per-View Matches with 53,000 units.
By comparison, DVD sets on CM Punk, The Rock, Undertaker and Bill Goldberg from recent years all topped the 100,000 mark, with The Rock being the best individual seller of the past two years.
(Credit: F4WOnline.com)
Mark Henry posted the following update on his condition via Twitter on Tuesday:
Thank you WWE fans for all the respect. Yes I'm still hurt, I see the things people are saying. I will respond when the time is right.
— TheMarkHenry (@TheMarkHenry) December 30, 2014
Henry hasn’t competed in a match since the November 24th edition of RAW, where he lost to Ryback in singles competition. The night before, Henry was part of Team Authority in their traditional elimination match against Team Cena at the WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view.
– The El Rey Network will be airing a Lucha Underground marathon tonight, featuring eight hours worth of shows, beginning at 4pm EST.
– Hip-hop artist Wale, who is friends with Paul Heyman and is a Washington D.C. native, was in attendance at Monday’s RAW.
– Several NXT talents sent congratulatory messages to The Ascension after their in-ring debut for the main WWE roster on RAW. Paige noted that she actually went out into the arena to watch their match.
The following are highlights of a new Norfolk Navy Flagship interview with one-half of the WWE Tag-Team Champions and former Total Divas cast member Jimmy Uso:
JM: With the recent news that neither you nor Trinity will be involved in the next season of the Total Divas series, is there some relief knowing that you will not have cameras on you at all times?
Uso: The work is a lot less now. I almost get to have my privacy back. We come off of these tours and you want to get home and relax, but you’re still working because you’re front of these cameras. They’re in your home and you really just want to sleep all day. I’m OK with it, but my wife really isn’t. We didn’t agree with the terms, but things happen and they work out how they do. We’re enjoying the free time that we have now.
JM: Totals Divas has exposed you to a different demographic of viewers that may not have normally watched WWE programming. Have you noticed this while out in the public?
Uso: Definitely. I get recognized more from Total Divas than I do for WWE. With my wife, you get people that look at her and want a picture, but they’re not really sure if it’s her or not, but when we’re together, they automatically know. I get a lot of older women, actually, that come up to me. They’re like “Hey! You’re Jonathan from Total Divas!” out of nowhere. You’ll know that it’s a Total Divas fan because a WWE fan would have said “Uso!”. It was weird at first being called by my first name and my wife by her first name. It’s cool, and funny in a way.
JM: What are your thoughts on the current state of the WWE tag team division and where you see it in the future as newcomers advance from NXT?
Uso: I feel like my brother and I amped it up because we are a real tag team. There aren’t any real tag teams like back in the day with the Legion of Doom, Hart Foundation, Demolition. Today, we’re trying to get that tag team wrestling back to WWE. I think we’re doing a good job, but it could get better. There are teams coming up from NXT, like The Ascension, coming in with each other and hopefully they will stay with each other. Maybe we can get a nice little run out of these guys with The Usos, or maybe the Wyatts can get back together again, or The Shield. I feel like we had great matches with The Wyatts; great chemistry with those guys, but they broke them up. I hope when more tag teams come in the future that they stay together and we can have a real tag team division like back in the day.
Check out the complete interview at NorfolkNavyFlagship.com.
WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley posted the following blog on his official Facebook page regarding his thoughts on a Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan match at WrestleMania 31, as well as Ryback’s promo from RAW.
LESNAR/BRYAN AT MANIA? I SAY “YES”!
I’m not going to smash any TV sets this January. I’m hoping not to say, write, or tweet things that make my relationship with WWE difficult. But following Daniel Bryan’s emotional speech on WWE Monday Night Raw last night, I think he could be the guy to face Brock Lesnar at this year’s ?#?Wrestlemania?.
As opposed to the earlier Ryback – WWE promo, where Ryback seemed uncomfortable, and in too much of a rush for us to appreciate the substance of the words, Daniel Bryan allowed his emotions to tell the story – reminding us of the journey he’d been on this past year, while not letting us forget what it was about him that made so many of us root for him to begin with. He fights from underneath like few before him ever have, and (despite what some of my colleagues may think) would be a credible threat to knock down the mountain that Lesnar has been built to be. It would be the ultimate David, facing the ultimate Goliath. Man vs Beast. Man vs himself – really no need for Man vs company here. Give Paul Heyman free creative reign to bring out the best in Daniel Bryan – and for the WWE Universe to bring out the best in themselves – and we have got ourselves a compelling Mania main event.
The Friday, December 26th edition of WWE SmackDown, which was the final edition of the show for the year of 2014, scored a final cable rating of 1.81, according to Nielsen Media Research.
The 1.81 final number marks a pretty decent increase compared to the previous week’s show, which finished with a 1.54 cable rating.
Friday’s SmackDown averaged 2.490 million viewers for the SyFy Network, which was also up a considerable amount compared to the average of 1.995 million viewers who tuned in the week prior.
– The final edition of WWE RAW before WrestleMania 31, which will be a combination show with both RAW and a partial SmackDown taping, will be held on March 23, 2015 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. You can get tickets for the event right now by using the pre-sale code: LAVIP.
– Colt Cabana’s latest podcast features a new interview with WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley. You can check it out at TSMRadio.com.
– Jim Ross’ latest “Ross Report” podcast, which features an interview with wrestling journalist Bryan Alvarez, as well as Karl Anderson, can be found at PodcastOne.com.
Chris Jericho has been officially added to the upcoming WWE vs. WCW “Monday Night Wars” debate between Eric Bischoff and Bruce Prichard, which is scheduled to take place on January 25th.
Jericho announced on his latest Talk Is Jericho podcast that he wants to be the moderator of the debate, noting that he worked for both WWE and WCW during the Monday Night War years.
The Bischoff-Prichard debate will take place from 1-3pm EST. at Dave and Busters at 325 N. Columbus Blvd. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which is only a few minutes away from the Wells Fargo Center, where the WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view will be taking place on the same night.
For ticket information for the event, visit RFVideo.com.
The following matches were taped on Tuesday, December 30th at the Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, Virginia for this coming Friday night’s edition of WWE SmackDown, the first show of 2015, which airs live on the SyFy Network on January 2nd.
– Bray Wyatt vs. Erick Rowan
– Ryback vs. Big Show
– Cesaro & Tyson Kidd vs. Los Matadores
– Dean Ambrose vs. Curtis Axel
– The Ascension vs. Local Team
– The Usos & R-Truth vs. Goldust, Stardust & Adam Rose
– Roman Reigns vs. Rusev
For complete WWE SmackDown spoilers for this week, click here.
The following matches were taped on Tuesday, December 30th at the Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, Virginia for this coming Friday night’s edition of WWE SmackDown, the first show of 2015, which airs live on the SyFy Network on January 2nd.
– Bray Wyatt vs. Erick Rowan
– Ryback vs. Big Show
– Cesaro & Tyson Kidd vs. Los Matadores
– Dean Ambrose vs. Curtis Axel
– The Ascension vs. Local Team
– The Usos & R-Truth vs. Goldust, Stardust & Adam Rose
– Roman Reigns vs. Rusev
For complete WWE SmackDown *SPOILER* results for this Friday’s show, click ahead to page two …
WWE Main Event Live on WWE Network
Norfolk, Virginia at the Norfolk Scope
Results by Jason Powell and ProWrestling.net
The show opened with a recap video of the final segment on Raw that led to the return of The Authority… Michael Cole, JBL, and Booker T were on commentary. Cole excitedly said The Authority are back in power while talking with Booker, which was strange…
Edge and Christian were introduced by ring announcer Tony Chimel. Once in the ring, Christian impersonated Chimel’s “Rated R Superstar” line. Edge said he couldn’t sleep last night because he pictured Seth Rollins curb stomping him. Edge said he has a team of lawyers and that if anything happens to him “guess who owns WWE?”
Christian said they’re not happy that The Authority are back in power, but the positive is that they are in charge of Main Event and Smackdown this week. Edge said they decided to have another special edition of the Cutting Edge Peep Show. Edge introduced “freakazoid” Adam Rose as their special guest.
Rose and the Rosebuds made their entrance without The Bunny. They had Edge’s stunt double muppet from Raw. They asked where The Bunny was. Rose said they were lemons. Rose said two weeks ago on Raw he did what he should have done a long time ago by putting The Bunny down for good.
Edge told Rose to leave because the fans wanted to see them take part in a pose with them. Rose told the Rosebuds to come with him. They all remained in the ring. Edge and Christian did their five second pose with the Rosebuds. Actually, E&C posed while the Rosebuds jumped up and down like jackasses…
The broadcast team said Edge & Christian were contractually obligated to host Main Event and Smackdown this week. They set up a 30 Seconds of Fury video that featured Charlotte. Cole hyped Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks for after the break… [C]
1. Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks in a non-title match. Charlotte wore the the NXT Women’s Championship belt and as acknowledged as the champion. Cole plugged the NXT television show. Cole plugged the NXT television show. Charlotte used the Natural Selection to get the clean win…
Charlotte defeated Sasha Banks in 4:35.
Backstage, Santino Marella was at his New Year’s Eve party and was alone with the cobra sleeve until Erick Rowan showed up and asked where the party was. Santino blew his party favor horn and then looked dejected… Cole hyped The Usos vs. Goldust and Stardust… [C]
2. Titus O’Neil vs. Justin Gabriel. Titus said he doesn’t make new year’s resolutions like the fans. He said gators don’t bark, but they definitely bite. Titus caught Gabriel on the ropes and then put him away with a sit-out slam…
Titus O’Neil beat Justin Gabriel in 3:40.
Cole hyped Daniel Bryan’s announcement from Raw after the break… [C]
The Raw Rebound featured Daniel Bryan’s announcing his return at the Royal Rumble… Cole hyped Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt in an ambulance match for Raw… Backstage, R-Truth showed up at Santino’s party, saw it was just Santino and Rowan, and decided to leave… Goldust and Stardust made their entrance… [C]
Cole said Edge and Christian filed a “multimillion dollar lawsuit” against WWE. He said they would have more details on Smackdown…
3. WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos vs. Goldust and Stardust in a non-title match. There was a commercial break early. [C] Stardust hit a cool dropkick off the ring steps on one of the Usos at ringside. One of the Usos performed a top rope splash on Goldust and pinned him…
The Usos beat Goldust and Stardust.
Where I’m from, local residents occasionally use the phrase “lazy man’s load.” If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it involves straining oneself by carrying multiple bags of groceries from the car in order to save a trip. Based on last night’s episode of Raw, I’m starting to wonder if WWE creative lives in my neighborhood.
As most know by now, the Authority is back in power in the WWE. We all knew they would be back in some shape or form, but most (myself included) did not expect them to be back so soon. So, was bringing the Authority back best for business?
It is hard to deny that Raw has been directionless over the past few weeks. One week we had Daniel Bryan making matches, next fans were subjected to a stupid podium that decided to show up for a week or two, and finally we had Hogan dressed as Santa Claus calling the shots. In short, the shows were all over the place, and for the most part, just plain bad.
That isn’t a knock on the superstars, as they did everything they could to make the shows entertaining. Instead, it’s a knock on creative because they are unable to adapt from their comfort zone. For the past year, nearly every major storyline has focused on the Authority, and it seemed that creative was lost without their tried-and-true conflict creative device.
With that said, I suppose it is necessary to bring the Authority back into power to set up a potential match between Sting and Triple H at WrestleMania. It definitely appears that Sting’s first match in the WWE will be against the Game, so it makes more sense to have Sting deal the final blow to the Authority than to have Triple H request a match to exact revenge even though he’s no longer in power.
TNA has announced that Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy will face Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards at the January 8th Impact Wrestling television taping for Destination America in New York City, New York.
TNA also announced that their taping on January 9th will feature the Lockdown theme for a Destination America broadcast.
As noted in the past, Bobby Roode vs. Bobby Lashley for the TNA Championship is set for the January 7th live debut on Destination America.
As noted recently, WWE is looking at Adrian Neville as the next main roster call-up from NXT, however they are some matches and programs they would like him to do in NXT first.
WWE officials want Neville to work with Hideo Itami and Finn Balor in singles programs, and also a potential triple-threat feud for the NXT Championship with he, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
(Credit: F4WOnline.com)
WWE officially reportedly want The Undertaker to be inducted into the 2015 WWE Hall Of Fame, if he chooses not to wrestle at the WrestleMania 31 event that weekend.
As noted in the past, if Undertaker does decide to work a match at WrestleMania, WWE officials want it to be with Bray Wyatt.
A potential Hall of Fame induction if he doesn’t wrestle, guaranteeing him as part of “WrestleMania weekend” either way, is likely the reason WWE has been advertising Undertaker in the WrestleMania promotional materials, such as the tour buses and production trucks.
(Credit: F4WOnline.com)
TNA issued the following press release announcing Kurt Angle has officially re-signed with the company.
Kurt Angle Re-signs With TNA Wrestling!
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (December 30, 2014) – TNA today announced Olympic Gold Medalist and TNA Hall-of-Fame member Kurt Angle has signed a new contract to remain an active TNA roster member. Kurt can be seen on IMPACT WRESTLING’s new home, Destination America, during a special LIVE event from New York City on Wednesday January 7 at 9/8c.
“Kurt Angle’s arrival nearly a decade ago put TNA on the map. Now Kurt leads a fresh, young IMPACT WRESTLING locker room into a whole new era on Destination America,” said TNA President Dixie Carter. “Once Kurt steps inside those ropes there is no greater talent in professional wrestling.”
“I’m extremely excited to remain with TNA Wrestling,” said Angle. “The driving force behind my signing is the honesty, great communication and positive changes being made by Dixie Carter and John Gaburick. Things are moving upward and forward at TNA, and 2015 will be a great one for all of us at IMPACT WRESTLING.”
For more information on Kurt Angle and other talent signings visit impactwrestling.com, and follow IMPACT WRESTLING on twitter @IMPACTWRESTLING and TNA President Dixie Carter @TNADixie.
IMPACT WRESTLING premieres in its permanent time slot on Fridays from 9-11 PM ET beginning January 16 on Destination America. And, IMPACT WRESTLING: UNLOCKED with Mike Tenay premieres in its permanent time slot on Saturdays from 10 AM-Noon ET beginning January 17, immediately followed by TNA GREATEST MATCHES from Noon-1 PM ET.
Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan, who announced his return and entrance into the 2015 Royal Rumble match in January, is featured on this week’s edition of RAW Fallout.
Check out the video above to see Bryan talking to Renee Young backstage after making his announcement on RAW.
TNA Knockout Brooke Tessmacher noted on Facebook recently that she and TNA star Robbie E. are no longer an item.
The two apparently broke up before finishing the filming of CBS’s “The Amazing Race” reality show a few months ago.
Tessmacher wrote the following on her official Facebook page.
“I do not mind sharing my personal life on social media. I normally would never comment on this but it’s beyond annoying at this point.
NO, I am no longer with Robbie E. We filmed the race this past summer and separated by the end of filming. I am so so incredibly happy in my life and have fully moved on. Hope you guys can as well.”
– As promised, former NXT Tag-Team Champions The Ascension made their main roster WWE debut at Monday’s RAW in Washington, D.C. The Ascension defeated The Miz and Damien Mizdow in a quick tag-team match on the show.
– The backstage video promo from Bray Wyatt on Monday’s RAW was taped last week at RAW in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Wyatt was not in attendance at the event on Monday night in Washington, D.C., as he worked the non-televised live event in Richmond, Virginia on Monday.
(Partial Credit: F4WOnline.com)
For those wondering, it was not an error when WWE Hall Of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler referred to Christian as retired on Monday’s edition of RAW.
While Christian never got the chance to cut a “retirement promo” like Edge did, it has been reported for a while now that Christian’s in-ring career is likely over, and Lawler’s comments were pretty much confirmation of that.
Christian had to call it a career due to suffering a number of injuries, and more specifically — concussions — forcing him to end his active in-ring career. He has approximately a year left on his WWE contract.
(Credit: F4WOnline.com)
