Tag: The Cw

‘Billy Corgan’s Adventures in Carnyland’ reality series to premiere this May

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A premiere date has been set for The CW’s reality series on NWA owner and Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan.

It was announced via Deadline today that “Billy Corgan’s Adventures in Carnyland“ will premiere on Tuesday, May 14. The series is airing on The CW app and The CW’s website, not The CW television channel.

There will be eight episodes in the series, which covers Corgan’s life in pro wrestling, music, and documents his September 2023 wedding to wife Chloe Mendel.

Directed by Volk-Weis and Ian Roumain, the series pulls back the curtain on how the legendary frontman of alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins takes on the world. When he isn’t churning out albums and touring the world with his band, Corgan works as a wrestling promoter through his storied National Wrestling Alliance, which he intends to restore to its former glory. As if being a rock star navigating the demanding politics of running both a band (Pumpkinworld) and a group of eccentric wrestlers (Carnyland) isn’t tricky enough, he’s also a father of two — and he’s planning a wedding to his longtime partner, Chloe Mendel. Can he possibly keep all these balls in the air? Tune in to find out.

Corgan has owned the NWA since 2017. In addition to Corgan’s reality show, the NWA has a deal to air programming on The CW app. A skit involving Father James Mitchell from last October’s NWA Samhain event reportedly contributed to the NWA airing on The CW app instead of The CW broadcast channel.

“Rebuilding the historic NWA brand has been both an honor and challenge, and this show opens the doors wide so to speak. To reveal the glory and the grit needed to thrive in a winner-take-all sport,” Corgan told Deadline. “It’s not always pretty, but I’m proud of what we have accomplished thus far.”

NWA issues correction for where upcoming reality show will air

Posted on by Josh Nason

This story has been updated.

The next step in the relationship between the NWA and The CW will soon be taken with a rumored reality show set to truly become a reality.

In a Thursday podcast appearance, NWA announcer Joe Galli initially revealed that the aforementioned reality show will air on The CW network as opposed to The CW streaming service where new episodes of NWA Power will begin to air in February.

However, the NWA issued a correction Friday night that Galli had “misspoke” and that the “as-yet unnamed and unscripted show” would soon premiere on The CW streaming platform instead.

Galli also tweeted a nearly identical statement:

“I will let you know that our secondary show, which I think a lot of podcasts and people have already talked about which is basically a reality show…is going to be CW on their traditional network,” he initially said in the interview, later adding “that will be really interesting to help tie people in and that’s more of a decision from CW to try to get people to migrate over to the app.”

No start date, nor the number of episodes, have been indicated.

Based on past reports, it’s assumed to be a reality series based on the life of NWA owner and Smashing Pumpkins founder Billy Corgan which will include a focus on his recent wedding. It’s unknown how much of a presence the NWA will have on the show.

Neither the NWA nor The CW have formally announced a relationship between both parties which was reported to have frayed and cost NWA Power a spot on The CW network due to a cocaine skit/stunt during an October pay-per-view. 

Eight older episodes of Power went up on The CW streaming application last year with an announcement last week that new weekly episodes were coming in February.

Galli also intimated that their 76th Anniversary pay-per-view would emanate from an East Coast-based city vs. St. Louis, Missouri, where the last few have taken place.

New NWA Power episodes coming to The CW streaming app

Posted on by Josh Nason

New episodes of NWA Power are coming to The CW’s streaming app starting on Tuesday, February 6th, according to the promotion.

It’s assumed the new episodes will align with NWA’s regular Tuesday release schedule on YouTube. A release time wasn’t announced.

It’s the latest development in the somewhat secretive arrangement between NWA and The CW which has yet to be fully announced after months of speculation as to the status.

Last fall after NWA owner Billy Corgan announced that he had signed two deals with a top-20 network, it was reported that The CW was that network. However, following a cocaine skit with James Mitchell during October’s NWA Samhain pay-per-view, it was reported that the deal was at risk of falling through. Shortly afterward, The CW signed a deal to air WWE NXT beginning in the fall of 2024.

In November 2023, eight NWA Power episodes from September and October were uploaded to The CW streaming app with no follow-up.

Corgan has yet to publicly announce a deal with The CW or to clarify what the existing arrangement is. A reality show based on his life and recent marriage were reportedly one of the two deals he signed but there has been no recent news on when the reality show will air or where.

Eight episodes of NWA Power added to The CW streaming app

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Eight episodes of NWA Power have been added to The CW’s app.

The network added the episodes of NWA’s flagship show on Tuesday. They begin with the September 5 episode and runs through October 24.

NWA owner Billy Corgan revealed back in October that the company had signed two television deals with a “top 20 network”. It was reported the network in question was The CW, with one deal being for Power and the other being for a reality show on Billy Corgan’s life, including his marriage that took place back in September.

However, it was later reported that the deals were in trouble following an angle that took place at NWA Samhain pay-per-view in which James Mitchell snorted what appeared to be cocaine while observing a match. Corgan reportedly pushed for the segment to air on the show.

It was announced earlier this month that The CW had agreed to a new television deal with WWE’s NXT program, which will leave the USA Network in the fall of 2024.

Wrestling Observer Live: AEW Collision review & early Full Gear preview

Posted on by Andrew Zarian

I am back for another Sunday edition of Wrestling Observer Live, recapping all the top stories from the week.

WWE announced a new TV deal for NXT with The CW starting next October. Will this help viewership in the long run for the black and gold brand?

Vince McMahon sold off a large amount of TKO stock, indicating that he is taking an even lesser role In the new company. Could this be leading to him being out altogether?

I also give my thoughts on Saturday’s AEW Collision including the presentation of the House of Black, Hangman Page’s great promo, and Sting wrestling in the main event. I also discuss the new Continental Classic tournament and how it will help with hopefully some meaningful matches heading into 2024.

Plus, I recap WWE SmackDown, given an early preview of next Saturday’s AEW Full Gear, and an even earlier look at January’s Wrestle Kingdom card.

Click Here To Listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube above

Report: CW executive approached Tony Khan about ROH deal in 2022

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In the summer of 2022, an executive from The CW Network reportedly approached Tony Khan about a potential Ring of Honor television deal.

Haus of Wrestling reports that “a high-level CW executive approached Khan at the LA Forum in June 2022 about bringing Ring of Honor content to the network.” While Khan enjoyed visiting with the executive, Khan did not want to pursue the talks because he doesn’t want to seriously entertain discussions about an ROH deal until AEW’s television rights are in play.

“We are unsure if this was before talks between The CW and the NWA or WWE NXT were underway,” Haus of Wrestling wrote. “From what we understand, Khan did not pursue talks with The CW as he refuses to seriously entertain new deals for ROH until AEW TV rights are in play, which will be in 2024. Khan feels that by waiting, he will have more options and leverage in the marketplace.”

It was announced earlier this week that WWE and The CW Network have agreed to a five-year deal to bring NXT to The CW starting in October 2024.

This October, it was reported that the NWA had signed two TV deals with The CW, one for NWA Power and one for a reality show. But a cocaine spot from the NWA’s Samhain pay-per-view could negatively impact those deals. It’s likely that NWA content will now air on The CW’s app instead of on TV.

Haus of Wrestling writes that they’ve heard of “at least two other notable pro wrestling promotions that are not the NWA or WWE NXT that The CW was in talks with recently” and that The CW “is open to hosting multiple pro wrestling products on their platform.”

Shawn Michaels appeared on NewsNation this week to discuss NXT joining The CW. Michaels said moving from cable to broadcast television is a huge deal for NXT.

Shawn Michaels: Moving to The CW is ‘huge’ for WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

During an appearance on NewsNation, Shawn Michaels discussed WWE NXT’s new television deal with The CW Network.

It was announced this week that NXT will be leaving USA Network for a new TV home in October 2024. It’s a five-year deal between NXT and The CW. Ari Emanuel stated on a TKO conference call that the deal represents a 70 percent increase in average annual value over NXT’s previous contract.

Michaels told NewsNation that moving from cable to broadcast television is a huge deal for NXT:

It’s a huge deal for us. Coming to CW in October 2024, this really is — this is huge for the young men and women here in NXT. As you mentioned, the stars of tomorrow. And sort of since its inception in 2013, coming to network television is just gigantic. And for people who aren’t in the television industry, that means the possibility of being in every home in America. Which is just huge for us. Incredibly exciting. And of course, people who may not know, WrestleMania of last year consisted of 90 percent former NXT talent. So make no mistake about it, the people that you’re going to be seeing on CW in October 2024 are going to be people who are going to be main eventing WrestleMania in the very near future.

NewsNation asked Michaels what makes NXT different than Raw and SmackDown. Michaels responded:

Obviously we’re much younger. We are recruiting college athletes coming out of college. And look, when Hunter started this 13 years ago, his vision was that within the WWE we could hone and develop the future stars of the WWE. Coming to The CW Network for a five-year agreement is just proof positive that his vision has worked. I’m obviously just honored to continue to keep that going.

I guess what you’ll see from NXT is excitement, unparalleled innovation, and as they say where the wrestling business and sports entertainment are going in the future — you’re gonna see it first-hand on NXT.

When asked which wrestlers from NXT could be the next big thing in WWE, Michaels named Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, Trick Williams, Tiffany Stratton, The Creed Brothers, and Tony D’Angelo.

Michaels, who runs NXT, has the official job title of Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative.

WWE NXT announces new TV deal with The CW

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Update —

WWE has officially announced that NXT will be moving to The CW Network starting in October 2024. It’s a five-year deal.

Ari Emanuel said on today’s TKO conference call that NXT’s deal with The CW represents a 70 percent increase in average annual value over the previous deal.

“The CW has made impressive moves over the past year with its live sports programming schedule,” WWE President Nick Khan said in a press release. “It’s a truly exciting opportunity to expand NXT’s audience by bringing the show to broadcast television for the first time in NXT’s history.”

“We are thrilled to welcome the WWE brand into the CW Sports portfolio as they play an integral role in our mission to bring live sporting events to the network year-round,” CW Network President Dennis Miller said. “WWE NXT is a perfect fit for The CW thanks to its dynamic young talent featuring the hottest rising stars in the sport and exhilarating, unpredictable weekly events. The passion and engagement of WWE’s fanbase is unmatched, and we are eager to grow that audience as WWE NXT’s new home on broadcast television.”

Leading into the new deal, WWE has increased the importance of NXT with main roster stars appearing on NXT more frequently.

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Original —

It appears that WWE NXT will be moving networks in its next television deal.

PWInsider reports that WWE and The CW are close to reaching a deal for NXT TV rights. The deal is expected to be for around five years and would “easily be the biggest increase for WWE NXT media rights fees ever.”

“Multiple sources in the broadcast industry have confirmed that the CW Network and WWE have been in deep discussions for weeks about NXT shifting from its current basic cable home on the USA Network to a traditional broadcast television home, airing live weekly on the CW Network when the brand’s current media rights deal ends in September 2024,” PWInsider wrote. “The belief among some we have spoken with is the deal is VERY close to being completed with the deal expected to be around five years in length.”

NXT has aired on USA Network since 2019. Before that, the show aired weekly on WWE Network.

NXT currently airs on Tuesday nights.

It was reported last month that the NWA had signed two TV deals with The CW, one for NWA Power and one for a reality series. But Haus of Wrestling reported over the weekend that a cocaine spot from the NWA’s Samhain pay-per-view could negatively affect those deals.

The CW launched in 2006. It was preceded by UPN and The WB networks.

WWE SmackDown will be leaving Fox and returning to USA Network with its next TV deal starting in October 2024. It remains to be seen where WWE Raw will end up.

Report: NWA Samhain cocaine spot could affect TV deal with The CW

Posted on by Josh Nason

A spot that saw a manager, wrestlers and women snort cocaine at NWA Samhain could severely affect how viewers can access NWA programming on the CW.

During last weekend’s pay-per-view, manager Father James Mitchell was shown at a table with several wrestlers and women, snorting cocaine and drinking alcohol, the clip of which can be seen below.

According to Haus of Wrestling, CW officials weren’t happy with that in light of their new deal that was set to bring both NWA Power and a reality TV series to the network. The outlet reported there is a “90% chance” both shows will now air on The CW’s app vs. broadcast as a result due to the network receiving negative social media comments after the segment.

From the report:

“As it stands, Haus of Wrestling is told that there is an active push by those higher-up at The CW to have the NWA’s content air solely on their The CW app and not on their actual television airwaves. Apparently, when negotiations were going on to bring the NWA to The CW, Corgan was told that the network would not be watching the PPVs and would only be concerned with what happened on the TV show airing on their platform.”

The outlet also reported the cocaine spot was the idea of NWA owner Billy Corgan who “pushed for it to be on the pay-per-view.” 

They also added a note that the reality series was fully paid for by Corgan with the idea CW could sell ads for it to bring in revenue.

“One of the big selling points for The CW to get behind the reality series was that Corgan said his recent wedding would be a part of it, something they were excited to air. The other pro wrestling aspects of the series, along with the added Powerrr deal, all were agreed to under the understanding The CW would be able to air the Corgan wedding footage.”

January 30, 2006 Observer Newsletter: Kurt Angle health issues, WB & UPN networks to merge

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Just after winning the world title, the health of Kurt Angle is once again in question as what is believed to be significant neck damage has led to Angle’s hand going numb. Angle has continued to wrestle, although he was heavily protected, doing short tag team matches on his second and third night in Mexico this week when word got out about the damage.

Angle went into the 1/19 WWE debut in Mexico City in great pain according to a few sources. The decision was made to put him in short matches in Guadalajara and Monterrey where partners Rey Mysterio and Chris Benoit carried the load. 

The expectation over the weekend was that Angle would be going for another MRI this week to try and determine the problem, but with Angle’s history of neck problems, the concern, in at least some parts of the company, was high. Many have questioned how, with his back and neck injuries and pain not a secret, that there wasn’t more concern addressed to Angle’s health in recent weeks, if not longer. But when Angle got back from Mexico, he claimed he was okay, and may not even be getting checked out.

Subscribers can read this issue here.