Monday’s “Old School” edition of WWE RAW drew a 3.23 rating, up 9% from last weeks “New Years” show. It was the highest rating since the night after Summerslam back in August, which scored a 3.24 rating.
As previously reported, Old School RAW averaged 4.537 million viewers, up 10% from the week before.
The first hour was the most-watched first hour since March 11, 2013 – even more than the night after WrestleMania 29.
This was also the first time in 14 weeks that the third hour viewership increased from the second hour.
Overall, this is great news for WWE, which is in the midst of contract negotiations with NBC Universal regarding TV rights fees.
At Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings, it was announced that Brock Lesnar will face Big Show at the Royal Rumble. With that match set, here’s the updated card:
* 30 Man Royal Rumble (Batista, Del Rio & 28 more entrants)
* WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton vs. John Cena (Pinfall or Submission only)
– The TNA “One Night Only: #OldSchool” pay-per-view, which was taped at the end of December in Poughkeepsie, New York, will premiere on InDemand on Friday, February 7th.
The official PPV description for “#OldSchool” reads, “TNA goes Old School with classic matches featuring Bully Ray, Tommy Dreamer, Jeff Hardy, Abyss and more! TNA Wrestling presents One Night Only: #OldSchool premiering Friday, February 7 at 8e/7c on Pay Per View.”
– Last Thursday’s TNA Impact Wrestling final rating came in at a 0.91, which was down 14 percent from the final show of 2013. Impact Wrestling averaged 1.1 million viewers, which was also down 19 percent from the previous week. If was the fewest amount of viewers the show has drawn since Thanksgiving in November.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what he said about Monday’s Old School RAW:
Piper’s Pit: “Thought it was one of the better Piper’s Pit segments that we’ve seen over the past few years. Succinct, cut to the chase content, etc. Nice rub for the Shield. Roddy endorsing Punk did nothing but good as well.”
Brock Lesnar’s Segment With Mark Henry & Big Show: “No issues with Lesnar/Henry/Show but for anyone to think that Lesnar is as hot right how as he needs to be isn’t looking at Brock through honest eyes. His absence was long and Brock wasn’t red hot when he left. The former WWE and UFC champion is an amazing talent but he’s got little traction from where I sit and needs to promoted aggressively and soon if he’s expected to sell PPV’s at WM30. The good news is that it can be done.”
Daniel Bryan & The Wyatt Family: “I’m still confused as to where the Daniel Bryan/Wyatt Family storyline is headed. I’m trying to like it as I’m a big fan of all the men involved in the equation but I don’t know much more about their relationship or issues than I knew last week. As a fan, I needed a little more concrete info or a viable tease from these four men than I was provided.”
Jerry Lawler’s Health Scare: “Good to hear that Jerry Lawler is fine after Monday’s health scare. Sounds as if King had a stomach virus or food poisoning but NO heart issues Monday in Baltimore. I hope to have a conversation with King this week if he can work me into his busy schedule. It’s not easy being a combination of a superhero and Larry Flynt. :)”
Jake Roberts’ Surprise Return: “The final surprise of Jake the Snake Roberts was a good surprise. Jake looked good and he was well received. Via @DDPYoga and making smart, personal decisions, Jake has gotten himself healthier and the alternative if he had continued to travel his former road was bleak.”
Former TNA wrestler AJ Styles has officially been added to another Ring Of Honor event. Styles will be appearing at the ROH show on March 22nd at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Dayton, Ohio.
In addition to the 3/22 date, Styles, as previously reported, will be working ROH shows on February 21st at their “12th Anniversary Event” and on their February 22nd television taping, both of which take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
– There is a lot of heat on Ryback backstage in WWE. Ryback has ‘earned’ a reputation for being reckless in the ring – and he displayed that once again last night when he gave Dolph Ziggler a concussion. The two wrestled in a match that was taped for this week’s episode of Superstars. Ziggler went down hard after a stiff clothesline by Ryback and his concussion is being as “not a mild one.”
– The WWE contract of the original Sin Cara (formerly Mistico) is expiring soon and he’s not expected to be offered a new deal.
– Ranjin Singh made a return to WWE television on Monday’s Old School RAW, managing his former client, the Great Khali. Singh’s return was a one time deal and he’s not back with the company full time.
– Cody Rhodes appeared to injure his ankle on RAW, but he’s scheduled to wrestle at tonight’s SmackDown tapings.
– Brock Lesnar is also fine after his altercation with the Big Show on RAW. Lesnar was limping as he and Paul Heyman retreated from ringside, but he was just selling.
InDemand has released the official PPV poster and synopsis for the 2014 WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. The show takes place on Sunday, February 23rd at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnisota.
The synopsis reads, “John Cena, C.M. Punk, Randy Orton, and your favorite WWE Superstars have dreams of WrestleMania, but they must first face the nightmare that is WWE Elimination Chamber. Don’t miss all the action, Sunday, February 23.”
Here’s the official poster, featuring Stephanie McMahon:
This briefly appeared on WWE’s Corporate website, before being pulled
WWE sent out an email blast on Tuesday afternoon titled “WWE Event Reminder: WWE Network Announcement”.
Shortly after the email went out – the link to the “WWE Network Announcement” was taken down.
The confirmed Network announcement is scheduled for the CES event in Las Vegas on Wednesday night.
The full list of individuals scheduled to appear, according to the press release, includes:
– WWE CEO Vince McMahon
– “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
– John Cena
– Shawn Michaels
– Triple H
– Stephanie McMahon
– Executive Michelle Wilson
– Executive Perkins Miller
WWE will broadcast the announcement live on Wednesday night at 9:30 p.m. EST on WWE.com, the WWE App, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo!, Google+, Pinterest, and Pheed.
Amazon.com has released the official content listing for the upcoming WWE: Best of Raw & Smackdown 2013 3-disc DVD set, which will be released on January 28th:
Disc 1:
First RAW of the Year
Tables, Ladders, & Chairs Match for the WWE Championship
CM Punk vs. Ryback Raw • January 7, 2013
Last Man Standing Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Big Show vs. Alberto Del Rio Smackdown • January 11, 2013
Setting the Stage
The Rock & CM Punk’s Verbal Battle Smackdown • January 25, 2013
Paul Heyman & Mr. McMahon Confrontation Raw • January 28, 2013
One for the Ages
Winner faces The Rock for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 29
John Cena vs. CM Punk Raw • February 25, 2013
The Rock & John Cena – Point/Counter-Point Raw • March 4, 2013
DISC 2:
WrestleMania Season
CM Punk Disrespects The Memory of Paul Bearer Raw • April 1, 2013
Handicap Match
Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger & Zeb Colter Raw • April 8, 2013
Kofi Kingston vs. Fandango Raw • April 8, 2013
Sheamus & Randy Orton vs. Mark Henry & Big Show Smackdown • April 19, 2013
Setting the World on Fire
Undertaker, Kane, & Daniel Bryan vs. The Shield Raw • April 22, 2013
Brock Lesnar Destroys Triple H’s Office Raw • May 6, 2013
Curtis Axel vs. Chris Jericho Smackdown • June 7, 2013
Foul Play Was Afoot
Mark Henry’s Retirement Speech Raw • June 17, 2013
Street Fight
Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton Raw • June 24, 2013
Disc 3:
A Piñata and A Mariachi Band
Alberto Del Rio’s Championship Fiesta Smackdown • June 28, 2013
AJ and Kaitlin’s Contract Signing Smackdown • July 12, 2013
The Wyatt Family Makes a Statement RAW • July 15, 2013
Damien Sandow Searches for his Briefcase Smackdown • July 26, 2013
Rob Van Dam vs. Randy Orton Smackdown • August 9, 2013
Two Fan Favorites Face-to-Face
Miz TV with John Cena & Daniel Bryan RAW • August 12, 2013
Santino Marella vs. Antonio Cesaro RAW • September 9, 2013
Big Show faces Off with the Shield Smackdown • September 13, 2013
Daniel Bryan, Cody Rhodes, & Goldust vs. The Shield RAW • October 7, 2013
No Disqualification Match for the World Tag Team Championship
The Shield vs. Cody Rhodes & Goldust RAW • October 14, 2013
John Cena, Cody Rhodes, & Goldust vs. Damien Sandow, Antonio Cesaro, & Jack Swagger Smackdown • November 1, 2013
3-on-2 Handicap Match
CM Punk & Daniel Bryan vs. The Shield RAW • November 11, 2013
Championship Ascension Ceremony RAW • December 9, 2013
WWE executive Stephanie McMahon sold another 69,893 shares of WWE stock last week, grossing over $1.1 million.
In an SEC filing on Monday, WWE disclosed that Stephanie unloaded 69,893 shares of Class A Common Stock last Thursday and Friday through the Stephanie McMahon Levesque Trust U/A Vincent K. McMahon. Here’s the breakdown:
– January 2nd: 28,431 shares sold at an average price of $16.17 per share ($459,729)
– January 3rd: 41,462 shares sold at an average price of $16.00 per share ($663,392)
Total Gross Proceeds: $1,123,121
Stephanie now owns a total to 70,107 remaining shares through the trust.
– WWE Hall Of Famer Shawn Michaels and former WWE Superstar Chris Jericho will be appearing at the 2014 KOI Auto Parts Cavalcade Of Customs in Cincinnati, Ohio from January 10-12 at the Duke Energy Convention Center.
– Apparently WWE Hall Of Famer “Nature Boy” Ric Flair upset his hometown NFL team, the Carolina Panthers, with his appearance and speech at the San Francisco 49ers game against the Green Bay Packers this past weekend. Panthers player Steve Smith said of Flair,
“As a guy who actually has a Ric Flair robe I’m real disappointed in seeing that. Real disappointed. I’m not sure if he’ll get the invite here. That Golden Gate Bridge has been burned.”
WWE will tape this week’s Main Event and SmackDown on Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
As announced at Old School RAW on Monday night, the main event for this week’s WWE Main Event will be a tag-team match featuring R-Truth & Xavier Woods vs. The Real Americans.
The confirmed main event for this week’s SmackDown, which was also announced at Old School RAW, is a non-title match between WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton and WWE Intercontinental Champion Big E. Langston.
Also advertised for the taping in Philadelphia tonight is WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley.
Anyone who is attending tonight’s taping, feel free to submit a live report to be published here on the website.
– The official WWE website has added a video playlist with several WWE legends and WWE Superstars talking about Monday’s Old School RAW special. You can check it out at WWE.com.
– Speaking of Old School RAW, here is the “Backstage Fallout” video for this week’s Old School RAW:
2K Announces New WWE® 2K14 Downloadable Content Items Available Today
WWE Hall of Famers Bruno Sammartino and “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes headline third content pack, adding to greatest roster in franchise history
New York, NY – January 7, 2014 – 2K today announced availability of new downloadable content for WWE® 2K14, the latest release in the flagship WWE video game franchise. Featuring a selection of notable WWE Hall of Famers and more, the downloadable content offering* via the Xbox Live online entertainment network from Microsoft for Xbox 360 and PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system includes the following items:
WWE Legends and Creations Pack
WWE Hall of Famers: Bruno Sammartino and “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes;
Legendary WWE Superstars: “Ravishing” Rick Rude and Jake “The Snake” Roberts;
Playable Superstar: WWE Manager and pop culture icon Virgil;
Custom Superstar Heads: 14 new Superstar heads to utilize for the most creative freedom in WWE Games history:
WWE Legends and the Creations Pack is available for a suggested purchase cost of $8.99;
Virgil is available free of charge.
The WWE Legends and Creations Pack is also available to players through the WWE 2K14 Season Pass Program. For a one-time purchase cost of $19.99, a savings of more than 25 percent versus individual content purchases, players will receive the following items:
Season Pass Program Exclusive: Playable “The Outsiders”-themed Superstars: Scott Hall and Kevin Nash; nWo Pack:
Playable New World Order (nWo)-themed Superstars: Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Syxx, Curt Hennig, Scott Steiner and The Giant;
Accelerator: Enables players to unlock all in-game items, as well as customize individual WWE Superstar attributes;
WWE Superstars and Moves Pack:
WWE Superstars: Fandango and Big E Langston;
WWE Divas: Brie Bella, Nikki Bella and Summer Rae;
Moves Pack: More than 30 new moves and taunts, including the Black Widow (made popular by AJ Lee) and the Koji Clutch (made popular by CM Punk);
WWE Legends and Creations Pack: as outlined above;
Online Badges: over 10 exclusive options.
* Xbox Live or PlayStation Network account and Internet connection required. Copy of WWE 2K14 required to play.
Developed by Yukes for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system, WWE 2K14 features the greatest roster in franchise history and is the most electrifying, authentic and comprehensive WWE video game experience to date. WWE 2K14 is rated T for Teen by the ESRB. Fans who pre-ordered WWE 2K14 received Ultimate Warrior at no extra cost on launch day.
For more information on WWE 2K14 and 2K, visit wwe.2k.com, facebook.com/WWEgames and @WWEgames on Twitter.
2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).
3rd Season Of Travel Channel’s ‘Toy Hunter’ Premieres On January 29th
More Toys, More Celebs, More Money! Acclaimed toy dealer Jordan Hembrough is back on the hunt to find the holy grail of toys and collectibles with bigger price tags that earn bigger profits in the third season of “Toy Hunter,” premiering on Wednesday, January 29 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
This season, the scope of Hembrough’s travels expands beyond basements and attics – taking him to bigger conventions, more Comic-Cons and overseas. Hembrough is in search of iconic memorabilia for his high-profile clients including Gary Busey, Vanilla Ice, Hulk Hogan, Stan Lee and Taboo (Black Eyed Peas).
“We were all kids once and loved playing with toys,” said Hembrough. “And, in the new season of ‘Toy Hunter,’ viewers are able to join me again on the ultimate road trip to search for those toys and collectibles that celebrate their youth.”
In the premiere episode, Hembrough, founder of Hollywood Heroes – a New Jersey-based vintage and modern collectibles company – teams up with hip-hop icon Daryl “DMC” Daniels of legendary group Run-DMC and travels to Staten Island, New York on a quest to find vintage toys. From Big Jim’s Camper to Action Jackson, Hembrough and the music icon score some amazing collectibles to give to the kids at Camp Felix, DMC’s charity. On his own, Hembough continues his toy search for the kids and his other clients and picks-up some great finds including the “Space: 1999” Eagle 1 Spaceship and the 1960’s Fort Apache carry-all action play set.
In each of the thirteen half-hour episodes, Hembrough travels the globe armed with his encyclopedic knowledge of toy history and savvy skills of negotiation to track down the rarest pieces for his clients. Whether it’s the Dr. Kromedome doll from “The Six Million Dollar Man” worth $4,000 purchased in Birmingham, United Kingdom or the pristine set of “Star Wars” action figures found in Scottsdale, Arizona – Hembrough and his team are always on the lookout for that special toy. This season, Hembrough finds himself buying and selling in many cities across the country including Los Angeles, Miami, San Diego and Cleveland.
Footage of an old episode of TNA Impact Wrestling aired during Rachel Maddow’s MSNBC show on Monday night.
During a story about high-powered ships that can break through massive blocks of ice, Maddow compared it to Rob Van Dam’s “Five Star Frogsplash” finishing move. Footage was then shown of RVD hitting the frogsplash on AJ Styles on an old episode of Impact Wrestling.
When describing the ship’s ability to rescue a stranded ship, Maddow said, “It has a special bow design that’s curved in such a way that it can use its engine thrust to actually push the ship up out of the water on top of the ice to then use the 11,000-ton weight of the boat to crush the ice underneath it and break it that way.”
Maddow continued, “Having a hard time imagining that? Well, you know this pro wrestling move? (footage of RVD’s frogsplash is shown) That’s what the Polar Star does. It pushes itself on top of the ice and bodyslams it. (RVD’s frogsplash is shown again from a different angle) Not every ice-breaker can do that. And now the Polar Star – America’s only bodyslamming, heavy ice-breaking ship – is on its way to rescue the other massive ice-breaking vessel that still cannot handle what the Polar Star can handle.”
After the televised portion of Old School RAW ended on Monday night, a short angle took place involving Jake “The Snake” Roberts, CM Punk and the New Age Outlaws. All of the guys were celebrating and posing in the ring when Punk grabbed a microphone. He said they have three words for us, to which Billy Gunn said, “Jake The Snake!”
After those guys cleared out of the ring, a post-show dark match took place between Randy Orton and John Cena. Booker T served as the special guest referee for the match. The match was kept short. Cena forced Orton to tap out to the STF, but Booker was knocked down and didn’t see it. Cena ended up winning the match by disqualification when Orton was in trouble and hit Cena with a low blow to retain his title.
The official WWE website has added a new video interview with WWE legend Jake “The Snake” Roberts, who returned as a surprise at the end of Old School RAW on Monday night.
Roberts spoke with WWE interviewer Renee Young backstage after the show, where he spoke about his “long journey” back to WWE. He talked about his excitement to be back, apologized for messing up his own gimmick and thanked DDP and others for helping with his recovery.
Check out the Jake Roberts interview online at WWE.com.
Dolph Ziggler suffered a concussion on Monday night prior to RAW in a match against Ryback that was taped for this week’s episode of Superstars.
WWE.com spoke to Dr. Chris Amann, who said:
“Unfortunately Dolph sustained a concussion during his match on the clothesline given to him by Ryback. We were able to evaluate him in the ring; he was having some confusion and disorientation. We took him back to the training room and confirmed a concussion. He’s currently feeling better but we’ll proceed with ImPACT testing and further evaluation to determine when we can get him back in the ring.”
Ziggler suffered a concussion last year that cut his World Heavyweight title reign short and kept him out of action for some time.
– WWE legend Jake “The Snake” Roberts returned as a surprise to close out this week’s special Old School edition of WWE RAW. Roberts appeared after the CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns main event. Roberts came out with “the new and improved Damien,” his old snake during his WWE days, which he put on Ambrose. Old School RAW ended with Roberts kissing his snake.
– WWE will return to the Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, the site of this week’s Old School RAW show, on April 21st. The 4/21 date will feature a RAW taping in Baltimore. The pre-sale password for tickets to the event is WWERAW.
3-disc DVD set, which will be released on January 28th: