SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
-WWE is advertising for Smackdown 1000 next week in Washington D.C. the following in their email flyer today: Undertaker, Evolution (the flyer didn’t break down that Evolution consists of Batista, Triple H, Randy Orton, Ric Flair), Michelle McCool, Torrie Wilson, Teddy Long, and Vickie Guerrero as appearing as special guests, plus A.J. Styles & Daniel Bryan & Rey Mysterio vs. Randy Orton & The Miz & Shinsuke Nakamura, Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch, along with New Day, Jeff Hardy, Naomi, Asuka, The Bar, and The Usos.
-Impact Wrestling’s parent company, Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp., announced today that it is now working with Kings Highway Media LLC to expand Impact’s video and content distribution across all platforms, traditional and digital, worldwide. “We are delighted to have Kings Highway Media join us at this pivotal time as we embark on a major initiative to expand our audiences and continue to build our brand,” said Ed Nordholm, president of IMPACT Wrestling. “With an outstanding product, increasing fan engagement across all platforms and a rapidly growing audience, we are confident that Andrew and his team will leverage our existing global footprint into new markets and seize the opportunity to grow our presence on alternative media platforms.” Kings Highway Kings Highway Media Managing Partner Andrew Whitaker says, “(T)his the right time to deliver IMPACT Wrestling’s live pay-per-view events, 52 weeks of original programming and immense content creation capabilities to more audiences and fans worldwide.” Whitaker previously worked for WWE.
-MLW has announced they’ll be promoting an “MLW Super Fight” on Super Bowl weekend. The Feb. 2 event will feature “Filthy” Tom Lawler challenging for the MLW World Hvt. Title due to him because of his Battle Riot win. They have not announced the location of the event yet. The next MLW event is Nov. 8 in Chicago, Ill. for the latest MLW TV taping. They’ve already announced two events on WrestleMania Weekend on Apr. 4 and 5 in New York City. Tickets are available at MLWTickets.com.
-WWE Total Divas on E! drew 380,000 viewers, a rebound from the 355,000 last week, but still well below the 540,000 season premier on Sept. 19. The 18-49 male demographic was up to 103,000 from 77,000 last week and 71,000 the week before. Female viewership was also up to 157,000, an increase of 34,000 from last week’s season low for women. The replays that precede and follow the premiere at 8 and 10 drew 213,000 and 169,000 respectively.
-NOW JUMP TO THE AFTERNOON UPDATE: Afternoon News: Owens out with injury, major change to WWE’s MSG event, Impact’s Ed Nordholm opens up on struggles, WWE financial evaluation, Teddy Hart vs. Rich Swann in MLW
LISTEN TO OUR LATEST PODCAST INTERVIEW: WADE KELLER PRO WRESTLING PODCAST – AUSTIN ARIES INTERVIEW or search “Wade Keller” in your podcast app or click here for Apple Podcasts link.
I’ve become very disillusioned with the management at Impact Wrestling. While Pop ratings are in free fall, you have to wonder what they are thinking. Combining with Lucha Underground and a creative team acting like they and Lucha are on acid, and now a time change to 10PM and under 200k viewers. They need serious help to regain any credibility.