Tag: WWE Network

Daily Update: WWE Network, David Marquez, Ethan Page

Posted on by Bryan Rose

DAILY UPDATE

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JOB LISTING: Web/UI Developer(s)

  • Experience with OnLamp (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP)
  • GITHUB and Linux command line experience while be helpful as well.
  • CMS – Drupal and WordPress. vBulletin
  • Possible experience with AWS (s3 specifically), Dreamhost, UI development
  • Cloud based hosting experience a plus
  • Javascript also a huge plus

While this is a diverse request this doesn’t have to be just one person! If you fit any part of this please feel free to inquire.

This is not just for projects related to F4WOnline.

  • Send all inquiries to [email protected] with title WEB DEVELOPER.
  • If you have inquired before, please send your information again. 

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WON NEWSLETTER: March 15, 2021 Observer Newsletter: AEW Revolution, WrestleMania 37 ticket details

We’ve got the most detailed analysis of AEW Revolution as the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We look at the fallout of the errant explosion, the business numbers, what drew and what was the reason for so many new purchasers and will they be back, lessons from the show, the signing of Christian Cage, a look back at different signings and how they’ve turned out, Christian’s road to returning to wrestling, usage of Christian Cage, differences with AEW and Impact, Ethan Page, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

Also in this issue:

WrestleMania ticket sales, as well as the planned show.

We’ve got our first annual Shad Gaspard/Jon Huber Memorial Award winners for 2020 and the reasons why.

WWE Network migration to Peacock, a look at the seven year history of the WWE Network and what was and wasn’t a success financially regarding it, what has happened to PPVs in general.  We look at projections and how they fell short, but what ended up saving the company from the projections falling short.

John Laurinaitis being put back n his old position, and his story, and what happens to Mark Carrano, matches for the next Takeover shows, update on Fast Lane, new and departing WWE writers, new television location, WWE reaction to thigh slapping, where wrestling shows rank among sports shows in the U.S. this past week, foreign television ratings, Gable Steveson goes for NCAA title, Jim Johnstone talks WWE music today, Pat McAfee talks WrestleMania, WWE current market value, and the surprising most-watched thing this past week on the WWE Network.

Life of Buddy Colt and the plane crash that ended his career.

UFC 259, with scoring notes, business notes, poll results, where the champions go next, plus match-by-match coverage.

NHL deal affects pro wrestling and what it means for WWE and AEW, how ESPN is using it and where things stand with NBCU.

WWE over WrestleMania weekend, and the Hall of  Fame ceremony.

Dwayne Johnson’s attempt to revive the XFL.

New Japan Cup and the anniversary show with match-by-match coverage and star ratings for the matches over the past week, and a look at where things stand for the rest of the tournament.

More into detail on the ratings than any other source, we have how every segment on NXT and AEW did as well as how it did with different age groups, genders and more, plus a look at all other wrestling shows of the past week.

Results of the major pro wrestling events of the past week.

ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • WWE has sent emails to WWE Network subscribers that their subscription will expire at the end of the next billing cycle and encouraged subscribers to sign up for Peacock. Subscribers will receive prorated refunds after April 4, when the Network is fully integrated to Peacock and is no longer accessible.
  • Drew McIntyre talked to Bleacher Report about having a large amount of fans at WrestleMania: “It means the world. Last year, I’m so proud of what we did, bringing the world an escape with WrestleMania, brought a lot of smiles on a lot of faces during a difficult time…but we’ve all been buzzing for the idea of the fans coming back. The fans are unreal, so passionate in general. They’ve been starved of WWE for a long time, and they’re ready to make some noise, and it’s so cool the first time they’re gonna be there is at WrestleMania. I’m just gonna try to not get overwhelmed. That’s gonna be the biggest challenge for me, walking out for the first time in a stadium with that many people at WrestleMania trying to compose myself. I can’t wait.”
  • Guests on The Bump today included Kevin Owens, Alundra Blayze, and Savio Vega.
  • Eric Bischoff will be the guest on Corey Graves’ After the Bell podcast this week.
  • Last night’s episode of Young Rock on NBC scored 2,955,000 viewers.
  • McKenzie Mitchell spoke to Mercedes Martinez on her NXT journey.
  • Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart have received their NXT Women’s Tag Team title nameplates.
  • Matches added to WWE’s YouTube channel today include Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III and Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels from King of the Ring 1997.
  • Former WWE star Kevin Fertig has filed for trademarks on his former names in WWE, Mordecai and Kevin Thorne.
  • Natalya’s article in the Calgary Sun this week looks at The British Bulldog being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Other Wrestling

  • There will be live English commentary for the last three NJPW Cup shows, which take place on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
  • David Marquez confirmed that he would not be returning to the NWA, as he was not invited back for the next series of tapings.
  • The NWA has added JR Kratos vs. Tyrus for their Back For The Attack pay-per-view event on March 21.
  • ACTION Wrestling announced that new Impact World Tag Team Champions David Finlay and Juice Robinson will face Dominic Garrini and Kevin Ku on their April 9th show in Tampa, Florida.
  • Last night’s Dark Side of the Ring Confidential scored 81.000 viewers, up from last week’s 79,000.
  • In an interview with the Hamilton Spectator, Ethan Page revealed that he has signed a three-year deal with AEW.
  • Sporting News talked to Tony Khan on the growth of AEW’s women’s division and the feud between Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa.
  • WrestleCon tickets have now gone on sale. The newest name added to the event is NJPW’s Jay White.
  • Effy spoke to Wrestling Inc on on his upcoming Big Gay Brunch event and working with Cassandro.
  • Doug Williams, who has recently announced his return to wrestling, told Wrestle Zone that he still has eight months left in his contract with Ring of Honor.
  • Sean Waltman spoke to Sports Illustrated on his new podcast, Pro Wrestling 4 Life. He expressed interest in returning to the ring, saying “I watch the product now and I think, if I had both knees under me, I could keep up with a lot of these guys. If people want me, I’ll do it, but I am also mindful of being an older guy taking up too much oxygen. That’s not what I want. If there is some room for me to have a few matches, that’s all I want.”
  • The film Cagefighter, which stars Jon Moxley, Chuck Lidell, and Gina Gershon, will premiere on Crackle on April 1.
  • Jeannine Mjoseth, who wrestled for the WWE as Mad Maxine briefly in the late 1980s, has a story in The Washington Post about her upcoming autobiographical novel. 
  • The latest Aces High article looks at Tanahashi’s career at the end of 2005.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: The Rock vs. Hogan at WrestleMania X8

CONTACT INFORMATION

WWE Network announces programming for Steve Austin Week

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE is turning 3:16 Day into a week-long celebration.

WWE has announced that they’ll be celebrating “Stone Cold” Steve Austin Week on the WWE Network and their social media channels next week. That will include two new documentaries premiering, a Best Of collection being uploaded, and a new episode of Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions debuting.

“Starting this Monday, WWE kicks off ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin Week, commemorating the 25-year anniversary of Austin’s debut in WWE,” WWE announced. “The week-long celebration — which coincides with March 16, aka Austin 3:16 Day — will feature ‘Stone Cold’-themed programming on Peacock and WWE Network, including new documentaries, The Texas Rattlesnake’s interview with Randy Orton on The Broken Skull Sessions and more.

“There will be no shortage of classic ‘Stone Cold’ moments to enjoy on WWE’s social channels, from daily full-length matches and Austin 3:16 Day exclusives, to special editions of WWE Top 10 and WWE Playlist, and who knows how many stomped mudholes being walked dry.”

“Meeting Stone Cold” will premiere on the WWE Network on Tuesday, March 16. It will feature WWE wrestlers and legends discussing their first impressions of Austin.

“Birth of the Stunner” will then premiere on the WWE Network and Peacock on Friday, March 19, which is the day after the WWE Network launches on Peacock. The documentary will focus on the origin of the Stunner and its legacy.

On Saturday, March 20, “The Best of WWE: Best of ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin” will be uploaded to the WWE Network and Peacock. A new Broken Skull Sessions episode will debut on the WWE Network and Peacock on Sunday, March 21, with Randy Orton appearing as Austin’s guest.

Here are the full descriptions for the Austin-themed programming that’s coming to the WWE Network:

Meeting Stone Cold
Tuesday, March 16 on WWE Network
WWE Superstars and Legends recall their first impressions of ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin. The Undertaker, Ric Flair, Booker T and others recount a slew of unforgettable moments and memories they shared with Austin throughout the last 30 years.

Birth of the Stunner
Friday, March 19 on Peacock and WWE Network
Learn about the origin of ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin’s famous finisher, its history with Austin and how the legacy of the Stunner lives on today through WWE Superstar Kevin Owens.

The Best of WWE: Best of ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin
Saturday, March 20 on Peacock and the Free Version of WWE Network
The Texas Rattlesnake battles iconic opponents like The Rock, Bret ‘Hit Man’ Hart and The Undertaker in this collection of his greatest matches.

Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions: Randy Orton
Sunday, March 21 on Peacock and WWE Network
‘Stone Cold’ welcomes first-time guest Randy Orton to his acclaimed interview show. Nothing will be off-limits when The Viper and The Texas Rattlesnake sit down to talk about Orton’s legendary career.

WWE Network launching March 18 on Peacock, standalone done April 4

Posted on by Josh Nason

This story was updated at 9:30 PM Eastern.

WWE announced Monday that the WWE Network will launch on NBCU’s Peacock streaming service starting Thursday, March 18th with the standalone service ending on April 4th.

However, the automatic migration for current Network subscribers that was thought to be part of the move is not happening after all, confirming recent reports that said as much.

From the release: 

“To continue streaming WWE Network content, fans will need to sign up for Peacock. As previously announced, WWE Network, including all PPVs, will be available on Peacock Premium for $4.99—a $5.00/month savings.” They are currently offering a special $2.50/month offer for the next four months while Comcast and Cox subscribers can get Peacock for free.

The WWE Network will remain active for U.S. subscribers through April 4th with April’s WrestleMania 37 fully exclusive on Peacock. It’s unclear whether an existing Network user signing up for Peacock will automatically cancel an existing WWE Network subscription or if an additional action is needed.

After signing up, Peacock streamers can access every PPV show from the last calendar year, every WrestleMania, the most recent/current episodes of Broken Skull Sessions, Chronicle and Icons, NXT the day after it airs on USA, both Raw and SmackDown episodes 30 days after they air live, WWE documentaries and more. The release said the entire WWE Network archive will be available on Peacock by this August’s SummerSlam. 

The Verge reported Monday that match markers won’t be making the trip from the Network, but that Peacock is working on “visual scrub bar previews to help viewers find what they want when fast-forwarding through WWE videos.” Additionally, the search functionality won’t be as robust but that is expect to be improved through time.

Peacock’s free tier will also feature a WWE channel with select WWE original shows, reality TV shows like Total Bellas, recent in-ring content, and new episodes of Raw Talk and The Bump.

In late-January, WWE and NBCU announced the Network would move to Peacock in a deal rumored to be five years and more than $1 billion.

WWE Network reveals full list of new content coming in March

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

WWE has revealed the full list of new content coming to the WWE Network in March.

Goldberg at 54, HEAVEN, WWE Chronicle: Damian Priest, Meeting Stone Cold, The Birth of the Stunner, The Day Of: WWE Elimination Chamber 2021, and WWE Icons: Beth Phoenix are the new documentaries coming to the WWE Network this month. The Birth of the Stunner documentary and the Day Of and WWE Icons episodes are listed as premiering on Peacock and the WWE Network, which likely means that they will debut after the WWE Network launches on Peacock on Thursday, March 18.

HEAVEN is the WWE Network’s first non-pro wrestling documentary. It “tells the story of high school athlete Heaven Fitch. Fitch made history in 2020 by becoming the first female to win a boy’s state wrestling championship in North Carolina.”

Randy Orton will be Steve Austin’s guest on a new Broken Skull Sessions episode that’s coming to the WWE Network this month. That’s also listed as premiering on Peacock and the WWE Network.

Here’s the full list of new programming coming in March:

Documentaries —

  • Goldberg at 54 (premiering Sunday, March 7)
  • HEAVEN (premiering Sunday, March 7)
  • WWE Chroniclle: Damian Priest
  • Meeting Stone Cold
  • The Birth of the Stunner (Peacock and WWE Network)
  • The Day Of: WWE Elimination Chamber 2021 (Peacock and WWE Network)
  • WWE Icons: Beth Phoenix (Peacock and WWE Network)

Original series —

  • Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions with Randy Orton (Peacock and WWE Network)
  • The 50 Greatest Women (Peacock and WWE Network)
  • WWE Icons Revisited: Beth Phoenix (Peacock and WWE Network)
  • Total Bellas season six (Peacock and WWE Network)

In-ring —

  • WWE Fastlane 2021 (Peacock and WWE Network)
  • Classic content: 10 more episodes of WCW Saturday Night (Peacock and WWE Network)

Best of —

  • “Stone Cold” Steve Austin (Peacock and WWE Network)
  • WrestleMania in the 2010s (Peacock and WWE Network)

Plus, there will also be new weekly episodes of NXT UK, 205 Live, independent wrestling shows, Raw Talk, Talking Smack, WWE’s The Bump, and This Week in WWE.

Daily Update: Raw, WWE Network-Peacock, AEW Revolution

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

JOB LISTING: Web/UI Developer(s)

  • Experience with OnLamp (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP)
  • GITHUB and Linux command line experience while be helpful as well.
  • CMS – Drupal and WordPress. vBulletin
  • Possible experience with AWS (s3 specifically), Dreamhost, UI development
  • Cloud based hosting experience a plus
  • Javascript also a huge plus

While this is a diverse request this doesn’t have to be just one person! If you fit any part of this please feel free to inquire.

This is not just for projects related to F4WOnline.

  • Send all inquiries to [email protected] with title WEB DEVELOPER.
  • If you have inquired before, please send your information again. 

Latest Free YouTube Video:

Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!

WON NEWSLETTER: March 1, 2021 Observer Newsletter: 2020 Awards Issue, Elimination Chamber

The biggest and most-talked about issue of the year, the 2020 awards issue, is out today.  The issue covers the awards winners as voted on by the readership in these categories.  It also has all the top place winners for every category, comments on the awards for this year as well as a listing dating back to 1980 of all the awards winners in all the different categories.

We also have the performer and match of the week.

WWE Elimination Chamber show, with notes on direction, business, interest level, poll results and star ratings.

Also in this issue:

The new television war in Canada on Wednesday, how the first week went and what to look for, details on the WWE’s A&E Documentaries, who is being covered and more, reaction to Undertaker’s comments about current wrestlers being soft, migration of WWE Network to Peacock, Sasha Banks talks wanting to quit a few years ago, WWE business approaches, how WWE & AEW are doing as compared to televised sports this past week, Bill Goldberg on TV, notes on lots of new signees and are starting in camp including some not revealed yet, new WWE Network event, update on the Vince McMahon/Oliver Luck legal case, Ric Flair on why he doesn’t talk to the other Horsemen, Arn Anderson talks why a major international star flopped in WWE, WWE wins awards, the current WWE market value and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.

This past week’s UFC show, the background, how it affects fighters going forward, and details behind the late changes in the show.

Television ratings of the past week, including segment-by-segment numbers for the past two weeks on Wednesday, who was watching in different age groups, how different segments did on Raw & Smackdown and more.

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MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Raw, BTE, the AEW women’s tournament, WWE injury updates and a great excuse by a fighter for losing a fight. You can also send questions to the show to [email protected]

In theory, with a WWE title match on Raw and Shaquille O’Neal and Paul Wight’s debut on Dynamite, the two shows should be better than usual in the ratings. It’s certainly not a lock for Raw but if AEW isn’t well above usual, that would be a disappointment.

Raw tonight has Miz vs. Bobby Lashley for the WWE title plus Drew McIntyre appears on tonight’s show for the first time since losing the title.

AEW put more tickets on sale today for Sunday’s Revolution PPV show, and they sold out instantly.  They also added tickets for Wednesday’s tapings in Jacksonville and right now there are 117 tickets still available, so with a walk-up from late hype I would expect a sellout.

New Japan runs Budokan Hall on Thursday night with Satoshi Kojima vs. Jeff Cobb and Tetsuya Naito vs Great O’Khan in the New Japan Cup plus Kota Ibushi vs. Desperado for the IWGP heavyweight title as the main event. The show begins at 3 a.m. Eastern and midnight Pacific on New Japan World.  We’re also looking for your thoughts on both nights of Castle Attack from Osaka, thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to [email protected]

Stardom has a live PPV starting on Wednesday in Japan and at 2:30 a.m. Eastern and 11:30 p.m. Pacific late Tuesday night with its first-ever show at Budokan Hall. This is the biggest women’s wrestling show in Japan in many years, with Utami Hayashishita vs. Saya Kamitani for the World of Stardom title and Giulia vs. Tam Nakano in a hair vs. hair match for the Wonder of Stardom title as the top attractions. This is the link to the international purchase page, in English. It will be 4400 yen but yes, it will be live.

It will start at 4:30 PM Japan time, with two title matches, AZM vs. Natsupoi for the High Speed title and Maiki & Himeka defending the tag titles against Natsuko Tora & Saki Kashima, live on YouTube for free and the PPV starts with the Rumble featuring Chigusa Nagayo, the most popular Japanese women wrestler of all-time, appearing.

The latest regarding migration of the WWE Network to Peacock is that if you have an active WWE Network subscription, you can create a Peacock account starting on 3/18.  

AEW has a lot of new streaming content up. The women’s tournament show from yesterday, which we’ll talk about tonight, is on YouTube.  A new show on YouTube just up will have Nyla Rose vs. Thunder Rosa, with the winner facing Ryo Mizunami on Wednesday’s Dynamite show for a shot at Hikaru Shida’s title on Sunday.  There is also BTE and a new Road To show up building Wednesday and Sunday.  The Countdown show will air on Wednesday night right after Dynamite on TNT.

WWE

  • The WWE 24 video on Big E is now streaming on the Network.

UFC

AEW

  • AEW is releasing a new mobile game, AEW Casino Double or Nothing that is now available for free on Google Play and the Apple App stores.  It will be the first of three games under the new AEW Games brand.

OTHER NOTES

  • A trailer to the new flick, “A Pro Rasslin Movie: The Legend of Dirty Ron” starring RVD, Effy, Victoria, Katie Forbes and more is up at
  • A story on Dan Vinal, a former New England pro wrestler, running for public office. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)
  • From Sunday Night’s Main Event, this is an interview with Lance Archer  
  • This is an interview with me (at 12:30) and Sinn Bodhi (at 37:00)
  • Paste Magazine talks to ROH’s Danhausen.
  • Hurricane Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Beaumont, TX:  Jared Wayne b Ashton Jacobs, Renee Michelle b Kaci Lennox, Allie Kat b Claudia Del Solis, Miranda Alize b Nate Andrews, Jordynne Grace b Jennacide, Heather Monroe kept the women’s title winning over Madi Wrenkowski and Vipess, Deonna Purrazzo b Ivelisse-DQ when Alize interfered, Shane Taylor DDQ Ryan Davidson.  Next show is 5/1. (thanks to Shannon Walsh and wrestlingwithdemons.com)
  • Innovate Wrestling has The Homecoming on 3/27 at the Kingsport Civic Auditorium headlined by Jordan Kage vs. Toby Farley and The Heatseekers in a tag team title match.
  • Dragon Bane was announced for the GCW show on 4/8 and 4/9, which is the Acid Cup shows over Mania weekend.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Kobashi defeats Misawa to win GHC title

CONTACT INFORMATION

‘Goldberg at 54’ documentary to premiere on WWE Network

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

A documentary focused on Goldberg will premiere on the WWE Network this weekend.

WWE has announced that “Goldberg at 54” will premiere on the WWE Network on Sunday, March 7. It will be uploaded on demand at 10 a.m. Eastern time and will also air on the WWE Network live stream at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Goldberg at 54 “follows the WWE Hall of Famer as he prepared for his WWE Championship Match against Drew McIntyre at Royal Rumble in January. This intimate look at the former Universal and World Heavyweight Champion reveals the mental and physical challenges that Goldberg was forced to confront during his most recent comeback as he readied to challenge a world-beater 20 years his junior.”

McIntyre defeated Goldberg at the Royal Rumble, with them then showing respect to each other and shaking hands in a post-match angle.

Goldberg celebrated his 54th birthday on December 27, 2020.

“HEAVEN,” which is the WWE Network’s first non-pro wrestling documentary, will also be uploaded to the WWE Network on demand at 10 a.m. Eastern on March 7 and will air on the live stream at 8:30 p.m. Eastern. It “tells the story of high school athlete Heaven Fitch. Fitch made history in 2020 by becoming the first female to win a boy’s state wrestling championship in North Carolina.” HEAVEN is narrated by Beth Phoenix and will also be available to watch on WWE’s social media channels.

WWE Network announces first non-pro wrestling documentary

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The WWE Network’s first-ever non-pro wrestling documentary will premiere as part of Women’s History Month.

WWE has announced that “HEAVEN” will premiere on the WWE Network on Sunday, March 7. Here’s the description of the documentary:

HEAVEN tells the story of a trailblazing high school wrestler named Heaven Fitch. In 2020, as a junior, Fitch became the first female athlete to win a boy’s state wrestling championship in North Carolina, claiming the top spot in the 106-pound weight class. The film documents her inspiring journey up the ranks and the challenges she faced along the way, from proving doubters wrong to defying the odds and making history.

“HEAVEN” will be narrated by Beth Phoenix. The documentary will also include an introduction from Stephanie McMahon.

“The story of Heaven Fitch is the beginning of a new genre of storytelling for WWE Network Documentaries. She has inspired so many with her elite athleticism as well as her numerous accomplishments. We are excited to share Heaven’s championship story with the WWE Universe,” said Ben Houser, VP & Executive Producer, WWE Network Documentaries.

The documentary will be available to stream on the WWE Network starting at 10 a.m. Eastern time on March 7. It will be available on the free version of the WWE Network, along with WWE’s social media channels.

The trailer for “Heaven” is available to watch below:

WWE Fastlane to air on both WWE Network and Peacock

Posted on by Josh Nason

During Sunday’s Elimination Chamber broadcast, WWE advertised that next month’s Fastlane pay-per-view will be available on both WWE Network and Peacock, indicating the Network might not be migrated over by the original announced March 18th date.

While the Sunday, March 21st event was set to be the first PPV of the Peacock era, the original go-live date for the Network on Peacock was Thursday, March 18th. A further indication of a change in date is WWE’s other Sunday announcement that WrestleMania will be “exclusively” on Peacock.

In late-January, WWE and NBCU announced that the Network was moving exclusively onto the Peacock streaming service in the U.S. Industry reports have the deal at five years and more than $1 billion. All current U.S.-based Network subscribers are to be migrated over to Peacock at $4.99 per month for the service with ads and $9.99 per month for an ad-free version with Comcast and Cox cable subscribers getting Peacock for free.

WWE reveals premiere date for Big E WWE 24 episode

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has revealed the premiere date and released the trailer for the next episode of WWE 24.

WWE 24: Big E will debut on the WWE Network on Sunday, February 28.”From overcoming injuries and setbacks, to finding his own voice as a Superstar, watch the evolution of Intercontinental Champion Big E on a new WWE 24, premiering Sunday, Feb. 28, only on WWE Network,” WWE wrote.

Big E became Intercontinental Champion by defeating Sami Zayn in a lumberjack match on the Christmas Day episode of SmackDown this past December.

On SmackDown two weeks ago, Big E retained the Intercontinental title against Zayn and Apollo Crews in a triple threat match. Big E defended his title against Shinsuke Nakamura last week, but Crews gave Big E a dropkick and caused the match to end in a disqualification. Crews had tried to answer Big E’s open challenge on the episode, but Big E told Crews that Crews has had multiple opportunities to challenge for his title and things between them are over.

WWE 24: Big E is the first new WWE 24 episode of 2021. A WWE 24 episode on Keith Lee premiered in December.

The trailer for the Big E WWE 24 episode is available to watch below:

PROGRESS Chapter 104 debuting on WWE Network next Saturday

Posted on by Josh Nason

For the first time in more than a year, London’s PROGRESS Wrestling will return to action with Chapter 104: Natural Progression, debuting on WWE Network next Saturday at 3 PM Eastern for the first time.

According to TalkSport, this is the first of four shows that will be also coming to the Network in upcoming weeks. All were filmed at London’s Theatre Peckham with no fans in attendance. Hustle Malone and Charles Crowley will lead the new commentary team.

The February 20th kickoff will feature the quarterfinals of the seventh Natural Progression Series tournament, designed to put a spotlight on the next generation of British wrestling stars. This year’s field includes Kid Lykos II, Elijah, Big Guns Joe, Man Like Dereiss, Luke Jacobs, Ethan Allen, Danny Black and Warren Banks. Unified Progress champion Cara Noir, Gene Munny, and Millie McKenzie vs. Mercedez Blaze will also be on the card.

One week later, Chapter 105: Bring The Thunder will premiere featuring the semifinals and finals of the tournament and the first-ever female Thunderbastard match: a match where a new entrant comes in every two minutes and can eliminated by pinfall, submission or disqualification.

PROGRESS last ran an event on February 25th of 2020 before the pandemic shut things down.

WWE sets premiere date for Broken Skull Sessions with Sasha Banks

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has revealed when the next episode of Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions will be premiering.

A Broken Skull Sessions episode with SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks as the guest will premiere on the WWE Network on Sunday, February 21. That’s the day of this year’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.

The premiere date for the episode was announced during Austin’s appearance on WWE’s The Bump this morning.

Banks appearing on Broken Skull Sessions was first announced via an advertisement for new WWE Network content on Sunday night. It was then announced that the episode would be debuting on the WWE Network in February. A WWE Untold episode on The APA (Farooq & Bradshaw) is premiering on the WWE Network this Sunday (February 7). A WWE 24 episode on Big E and a WWE Day Of episode on this year’s Royal Rumble are also coming to the WWE Network this month.

Banks is the second-ever woman to appear as a guest on Broken Skull Sessions. Bayley was interviewed by Austin on the show last month.

The Undertaker, Goldberg, Kane, Big Show, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Mark Henry, Jerry Lawler, Kurt Angle, and Drew McIntyre have also been guests on past Broken Skull Sessions episodes, with Undertaker appearing on the show twice.

Banks retained her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Carmella at Sunday’s Royal Rumble PPV. SmackDown’s Bianca Belair won the women’s Royal Rumble match, but which title Belair will be challenging for at WrestleMania 37 has yet to be announced.

Sasha Banks appearing on WWE Network’s Broken Skull Sessions

Posted on by Joseph Currier

An episode of Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions with Sasha Banks as the guest is coming to the WWE Network soon.

In an advertisement for new WWE Network programming, it was revealed that Banks is appearing on an upcoming episode of Broken Skull Sessions. The episode has already been filmed. The premiere date for it hasn’t been revealed.

Banks will be the second-ever woman to appear on a Broken Skull Sessions episode. Bayley was Austin’s guest on January’s Broken Skull Sessions.

The Undertaker, Goldberg, Kane, Big Show, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Mark Henry, Jerry Lawler, Kurt Angle, Drew McIntyre, and Bayley have been interviewed by Austin on previous Broken Skull Sessions episodes, with The Undertaker appearing on the show twice.

Banks retained her SmackDown Women’s Championship by defeating Carmella at Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view. SmackDown’s Bianca Belair was the winner of the women’s Royal Rumble match, but which title she’ll be challenging for at WrestleMania 37 hasn’t been announced.

A WWE 24 episode on Big E, a WWE Icons episode on Beth Phoenix, a WWE Untold episode on The APA (Farooq & Bradshaw), and a Goldberg documentary were also advertised as coming to the WWE Network soon. The commercial is available to watch below:

February 1, 2021 Observer Newsletter: WWE Network-NBCU Peacock deal

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

The WWE reached a landmark deal announced on 1/25 that the WWE Network as we knew it in the U.S. is no more, and will instead be part of NBC’s Peacock Network.

The Peacock Network purchased the U.S. rights to the WWE Network for what was believed to have been slightly more than $200 million per year over five years.

This was a WWE President Nick Khan deal and it’s a positive for both WWE and its fans. It was also an admission that the WWE Network, as it stood, was never going to reach its intended targets, but the company ended up coming out stronger financially with the deal.

A deal had been talked about for months, although the nature of the entire network being moved over surprised a lot of people. While those working at the WWE Network itself were blindsided, we do know that the top of the top brass at the USA Network were aware of these talks months ago.

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

JNPO: Vince McMahon’s fork in the road decision on WWE Network & Peacock

Posted on by Josh Nason

While the latest $1 billion deal between WWE and NBCU has been discussed quite a bit on this very website, I wanted to take a different look at this latest mega media pro wrestling deal on Josh Nason’s Punch Out from a different (Kurt?) angle or three.

That’s why I enlisted friend of the show and Wrestlenomics guru Brandon Thurston to return for a free hour of power. If you are into this story and some of the between-the-lines talking points, this is for you. If not, just listen anyway.

Click the red button below to listen, search in your podcast app of choice for ‘F4W free’ or use this RSS feed where you can listen to all our free podcasts.

Just a few of the points Brandon and I hit upon:

  • Vince McMahon’s fork in the road moment at whether to sell the rights to WWE Network or move to a tiered system
  • Why NBCU was the right fit
  • Why WWE likely won’t get sold as long as McMahon is still alive
  • The issues with friction when it comes to moving services and the risk of losing subscribers
  • Brandon’s thoughts on Undertaker’s recent comments about wrestling locker rooms today
  • The Buffalo wrestling scene and the glut of talent that appeared on AEW broadcasts this year and whether he would be a consultant to the Bills Mafia to improve their table busting techniques

Click below to listen or download wherever you listen to your podcasts by searching for ‘F4W free’:

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WOL clip: Dave Meltzer talks WWE Network moving to Peacock

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Dave Meltzer joined Wrestling Observer Live today to discuss the WWE Network moving to Peacock. You can watch the full interview below:

Meltzer noted that the move was a surprise, as WWE Network employees held a meeting last week, with no mention of the move being brought up. He also noted that while WWE will stand to benefit with more money, the pressure to put on quality content will lessen.

“For the fans, it’s good and it’s bad,” Meltzer said. “It’s cheaper. It’s bad because the pressure on the company as far as producing good content will be lower than it’s ever been. And it’s already low.”

Meltzer also mentioned that WWE president and chief revenue officer Nick Khan was behind the deal.

It was announced today that WWE Network will be moving from a standalone service to being a part of NBCUniversal’s streaming service starting on March 18. Both the Wall Street Journal and Sports Business Journal are reporting that the move is for five years and worth more than $1 billion.