Hulu has revealed when its upcoming WWE-focused reality series will be premiering.
It was announced today that “Love & WWE: Bianca & Montez” will premiere on Hulu on Friday, February 2, 2024. The series follows real-life married couple Bianca Belair (Bianca Blair Crawford) and Montez Ford (Kenneth Crawford) and their lives both inside and outside of the ring.
I was always somebody that was like, ‘I will never do reality TV, I have no desire to do it.’ And I learned to never say never very quickly.
It was different for me because everybody sees my husband – who everybody in the ring is who he is at home, he’s high energy, he’s full of life, full of joy, yelling, screaming, singing.
I’m a little bit more low-key and more reserved, I just chill at home and do my DIY projects. I’m used to having the cameras in my face at work and now they’re in my home. How do I just be normal now? I don’t need to turn it on to be Bianca Belair. It’s a different dynamic!
Belair told People that it will be a “fun-filled” reality show. Her parents and Ford’s mother will play a prominent role in the series.
Belair recently returned to WWE television after a two-month hiatus. At Crown Jewel this Saturday, she’s challenging IYO SKY for the WWE Women’s Championship.
Ford is currently part of a faction with Bobby Lashley & Angelo Dawkins in WWE. The Street Profits turned heel when aligning with Lashley.
WWE’s streaming deal with Hulu could be coming to an end.
Some WWE content on the service is showing it will expire in the coming weeks. Hulu support responded to a question on social media regarding this and stated its streaming rights with WWE expire shortly.
It was previously believed that Hulu’s deal for the next-day rights to WWE programming extended through September 2024.
“Hulu here! Our streaming rights to WWE content are currently set to expire, but we’ll certainly share your interest in seeing them stay in our library with our team. For now, we suggest adding the shows in your My Stuff to be notified of any updates!” Wrote Hulu support in response to Miss Peacockery’s query.
Hulu here! Our streaming rights to WWE content are currently set to expire, but we'll certainly share your interest in seeing them stay in our library with our team. For now, we suggest adding the shows in your My Stuff to be notified of any updates!
WWE and Hulu announced in November that they had reached a short-term agreement for Hulu to retain the next-day streaming rights for WWE Raw. Frank Riddick, then WWE CFO, stated on an earnings call that the deal was structured to better align with upcoming live TV rights negotiations. At the time, it was believed the rights to SmackDown extended through to September 2024 as well.
A WWE series featuring Bianca Belair and Montez Ford was also expected to debut on Hulu.
The next-day rights to air WWE Raw will continue to be held by the streaming service after a deal was struck following months of negotiation. WWE revealed the news today during its third-quarter investors call. The two companies have been in business together since 2012.
WWE Chief Financial Officer & Chief Administrative Officer, Frank Riddick said the Hulu extension is a short-term deal designed to better align with the upcoming live TV rights negotiations.
Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics believes the short-term deal is structured to end at the same time WWE’s current TV rights deals expire in September 2024.
“Sounds like WWE settled for less money from Hulu in exchange for getting the deal to expire with live rights Sep 2024,” Thurston wrote on Twitter.
Hulu continues to hold the next-day rights to air WWE SmackDown until at least September 2024 as well. This is due to Fox sub-licencing all of its next-day rights to the streaming service.
Additionally, Nick Khan also revealed on today’s investors call that a WWE series focused on Bianca Belair and Montez Ford is coming to Hulu as well.
AEW Grand Slam report, the business, the future angles coming out of the show, ideas for the show for next year, angles, Saraya, Great Muta, business notes, highest TV gates in U.S history including inflation adjusted and warning signs. Behind the Roman Reigns vs. Logan Paul idea and why it’s reasons for happening are very different than a traditional PPV main event CMLL’s 89th anniversary show. A report on the major show this year with the hottest crowd and some of the best action and booking. Updates on Extreme Rules The U.S. team wins the men’s world team championship and places second with women, how the team members did and an 18-year old capturing a world championship Jose Aldo, the featherweight great, his career and how he helped get featherweights into the UFC WWE & AEW business over the past two months. What categories are up and down and by how much. Also comparisons to May & June numbers and the most unique note about attendance increases and decrease Complete coverage of last week’s UFC show Kento Miyahara, All Japan returns to Budokan Hall for its 50th anniversary, and first time since 2004 Dangerous Gate 2002 from Dragon Gate TV ratings including how each segment on the major shows did Former WWE wrestler talks about going to CMLL and wants to be in next year’s Anniversary main event Legend from TV boom returns to Arena Mexico Notes on next week’s CMLL Night of Champions fan voting show Stardom Five Star Grand Prix update Last match of the Great Muta Fantastica Mania may be back Former WWE announcers television show canceled Former WCW announcer now a network radio news anchor Former WWE star open movie company Kurt Angle talks about a return after double knee replacement but notes it probably won’t happen MLW TV taping news Things is another promotion affect world title Next questions about WBD long-term MJF talks his return and future AEW Revolution 2023 Streaming numbers International TV ratings The second biggest PPV match of all-time may be rematched in 2023 White Rabbit NXT changes Hulu and WWE update Young Rock update
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].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
Shawn Michaels was interviewed by the San Antonio Express News about WWE’s upcoming Royal Rumble event at the Alamodome. When speaking about the transition last year to NXT 2.0, he praised the talent involved. “It was all very sudden for all of us [the shift to NXT 2.0] … It was an event where we had to quickly make a lot of changes and get a lot of things accomplished,” he said. “ We had 75 percent of the roster who had just graduated college the year before and had never stepped foot inside [a] wrestling ring. These are young men and women who had to learn on live television for the last 12 months. What we have accomplished here in the last year is nothing short of a miracle in my opinion.
Natalya wrote on Twitter: “We are currently in the direct path of Hurricane Ian, but we are in a safe enough spot not near the water, and have been preparing for the storm as much as we possibly can. We haven’t been asked to evacuate but we’re taking the storm very seriously. Hoping everyone stays safe.”
PWInsider is reporting that the expiration date for WWE content on Hulu has been pushed back to this coming Friday and that discussion between the two parties are still ongoing.
Along with Roman Reigns, the rest of the Bloodline has been advertised for the October 10 edition of Raw.
Ted DiBiase Jr., who is currently a defendant in a welfare scandal in Mississippi that also involves former Mississippi governor Phil Bryant, Brett Farve, and his father, is alleging that Bryant cut welfare funding to a nonprofit because its director supported the Democratic candidate in the 2019 governor’s race. Federal authorities are currently attempting to seize DiBiase Jr.’s house because of his role in the scheme.
As WWE continues to talk about their next big rights deal for Raw and SmackDown, another deal is more imminent.
All WWE content on Hulu will be pulled on Saturday, September 25th as their deal for next day rights for Raw & SmackDown is set to expire.
That content includes episodes of Raw, SmackDown, NXT, Main Event, Total Divas, Total Bellas, and more. Currently, nearly all WWE content on Hulu has a ‘Exp. Sat’ flag.
PWInsider’s Mike Johnson said talks are still ongoing as they are attempting to negotiate a new deal.
Hulu (approximately 46 million subscribers) is primarily owned by Disney (67%) with NBCUniversal owning the remaining stake. Both Disney and NBCUniversal are partners with WWE to varying degrees while Hulu and WWE have been partners for ten years.
On past investors calls, WWE co-CEO Nick Khan has spoken about several intriguing aspects of the company’s rights, one of which is the second-day rights for Raw and SmackDown.
Based on industry trends, he expects multiple bidders for WWE content in the years ahead as streaming services get more involved in the mix.
A look at recent concussion and head trauma issues in wrestling as it relates to Matt Hardy and other recent situations in other companies is the lead story in the new issue of the Observer. We go through Hardy vs. Sammy Guevara, how it was handled, Reby Hardy’s reactions, AEW’s releases, as well as look at many other high profile situations in the last few years in New Japan and WWE, including Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar and how that match pretty much tells you that there will always be exceptions to concussion protocol.
Also in this issue:
Other risks taken in AEW of late, along with complete coverage of All Out, with business notes inculding PPV numbers, poll results,match-by-match coverage and star ratings.
WWE’s new policy on third party bookings, with WWE clarifying many issues, talent reactions, how things seemed to change during the week, as well as reaction from others in wrestling along with Andrew Yang.
G-1 Climax tournament including the blocks and favorites.
Appellate court ruling that threw out a series of lawsuits against WWE on different grounds. We look at the legal technicalities regarding why these cases had little chance from the start, the one aspect still open and reactions from both lawyers.
Latest firings by WWE, who was involved , why they were done now, plus a look at the career of Gerald Brisco.
Finn Balor vs. Adam Cole, Clash of Champions card, PPV schedule change, NXT UK TV show note, Styles talks retirement, AOP firing notes, Canadian ratings, Where WWE ranks in sports ratings, Cena new TV show, Lawler talks why WWE announcing has changed, WWE star nominated for an award, next week’s TV, WWE current market value as well as the most watched shows for the week on the WWE Network.
Complete coverage of this past Saturday’s UFC show.
The formation of a new pro wrestling group by a major corporation and how it differs from any group in the world as far as its main platform.
Ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over 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].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight talking a ton of different stories as well as Raw and taking your e-mail questions at [email protected]
Photos surfaced today of Ronda Rousey in the ring training with JTG and Ariel Toombs (Teal Piper, Roddy’s daughter).
Raw tonight is a major rating of importance coming off the disappointing number on Monday. This is week one of the NFL season so there is a traditional drop. But Raw is loading up with a theme show with Drew McIntyre vs. Keith Lee non-title, Seth Rollins vs. Dominik Mysterio in a cage match, Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Street Profits non-title and Asuka vs. Mickie James for the women’s title.
The AEW one hour show that was originally set for Wednesday night will now air on both TNT and TSN on 9/22 after NBA coverage.
Someone wins who has won in the past +108 Block A wins +100
A Japanese wrestler wins -600
Winner goes undefeated +700
This is the championship match: Okada vs. Sanada +550, White vs. Sanada +650, Ospreay vs. Sanada +650, Okada vs. Evil +850, Okada vs. Naito +850, White vs Evil +1000, White vs Naito +1000, Okada vs. KENTA +1000, Ibushi vs Sanada +1000, Ospreay vs. Evil +1000, Ospreay vs. Naito +1000
Star rating of the best match in the tournament: More than ***** +100, ***** +150, Under ***** +130
Will the final get the highest star rating: +350
Will this G-1 set a record for ***** ratings: +700
Will this G-1 set a record for overall star ratings for the entire tournament: +300
Will any match break the ****** rating: Yes +1000
And you can get over and under for this weekend: Ishii vs. Suzuki ****1/2, Takagi vs. White ****1/2, Okada vs. Ibushi *****. Goto vs. KENTA ****1/4, Sabre vs. Evil ***3/4, Tanahashi vs. Naito ****1/4
And winners of the first weekend’s matches: Will Ospreay -500 vs. Yujiro Takahashi +300, Jeff Cobb +100 vs. Taichi -143, Tomohiro Ishii -154 vs. Minoru Suzuki +110, Shingo Takagi +108 vs. Jay White -150, Kazuchika Okada -118 vs. Kota Ibushi -118, Juice Robinson -500 vs. Yoshi-Hashi +300, Toru Yano +225 vs. Sanada -350, Hirooki Goto +300 vs. KENTA -500, Zack Sabre Jr +250 vs. Evil -400, Hiroshi Tanahashi +108 vs. Tetsuya Naito -150
WWE
NXT U.K returns on Thursday with new action with Amir Jordan & Kenny Williams.vs. Gallus
Loop Capital boosted its analysis of WWE stock from sell to hold
Updated Clash of Champions odds from BetOnline.ag:
Bayley -400 vs. Nikki Cross +250
Drew McIntyre -120 vs. Randy Orton -120
Roman Reigns -2500 vs. Jey Uso +800
President Trump did a speech yesterday in Nevada which drew the ire of Governor Steve Sisolak for holding it indoors with so many people not wearing masks. He talked during his speech about Dana White being a good friend and pointed out and talked about Colby Covington, Justin Gaethje and Henry Cejudo all in the crowd who are all supporting him
Dana White’s Contenders show on Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+:
Gregory Rodriguez (185.5) vs. Jordan Williams (181)
Muhammd Naimov (145) vs. Collin Anglin (145.5)
Korey Kuppe (170) vs. Michael Lombardo (168.5)
Danyelle Wolf (146) vs. Taneisha Tennant (143.5)
Dinis Paiva (145.5) vs. Kyle Driscoll (146)
Tyson Nam, who was supposed to fight Saturday against Matt Schnell but it fell through when Schnell collapsed trying to make weight, is looking like he will fight this coming Saturday against Jerome Rivera.
AEW
Miro was on Busted Open radio and said that he doesn’t want to take any more shots at WWE going forward.
Dark lineup for tomorrow:
Ivelisse & Diamante vs. Skyler Moore & Rache Chanel
Santana & Ortiz vs. Griff Garrison & Brian Pillman Jr.
Brandi Rhodes vs. Red Velvet
Penelope Ford vs. Dani Jordyn
Will Hobbs vs. Jessy Sorensen
Colt Cabana vs. QT Marshall
Best Friends vs. Maxx Stardom & Dontae Smiley
Butcher & Blade vs Daniel Garcia & Kevin Blackwood
Private Party & Austin & Billy Gunn vs. Dark Order
Peter Avalon vs. Brandon Cutler
MISCELLANEOUS
Impact tomorrow night on AXS TV:
Deonna Purrazzo & Kimber Lee vs,. Susie & Kylie Rae
Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley & Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz vs. Josh Alexander & Ethan Page & Mad Man Fulton & Ace Austin
Willie Mack vs. Brian Myers
Cody Deaner & Cousin Jake vs. Acey Romero & Larry D
Taya vs. Kiera Hogan
Impact in 60 on AXS at 10 p.m. tomorrow has a 2/3 fall match theme with Low Ki vs. Sonjay Dutt and Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett
The United Wrestling Network debuts on PPV tomorrow night with:
Nick Aldis vs. Mike Bennett for NWA title
Alexander Hammerstone vs. EJ Sparks for West Coast Pro title
Dan Joseph vs. Levi Shapiro for UWN TV title
Kamille vs. Heather Monroe
Will Alday vs. Jordan Clearwater
Chris Dickinson vs. Dick Mayor
Hawaiian Lion & Navajo Warrior vs. Bad Dude Tito & Che Cabrera
The Champion Carnival for All Japan continues on All Japan’s streaming service at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time tomorrow morning
Yoshitatsu vs,. Yuma Aoyagi
Kento Miyahara vs. Shotaro Ashino
Zeus vs. Jiro Kuroshio
Suwama vs. Jake Lee
United Wrestling Coalition had a fund raiser for the son of Daisy Murder with an outdoor show at Kelly’s Bar in Wrightstown, NJ on Saturday at 5 p.m.. Fans need to bring their own chairs and tickets are $15 and you can donate more if you would like. With limited seating they recommend calling 609-792-9328 for reservations. Mr. Spectrum vs. Biggie Biggs headlines the show.
