CM Punk joined WWE Backstage last night to discuss all the goings-on within WWE.
One of the first segments went over what happened on SmackDown this past Friday when King Corbin and Dolph Ziggler humiliated Reigns by handcuffing him to the ringpost and dumping cans of dog food on him. Punk surprised the panel by saying that he understood why they went with the dog food, comparing the angle to that of the end of the movie “Carrie”.
Corbin was later interviewed on the show, explaining his heel role and why he does certain things to garner heat. During the interview, Punk asked if the dog food used in the angle was real and Corbin confirmed that it was.
Punk later gave his thoughts on Seth Rollins’ heel turn on Monday, saying that he was better as a bad guy than a good guy.
This week’s episode of WWE Backstage drew the second-best ratings the show has done in its regular time slot.
Backstage averaged 138,000 viewers on FS1 last night. In the 18-49 demo, it drew a 0.08 rating. That was up from the 121,000 viewers and 0.05 rating the show did last week.
Last night’s Backstage featured an interview with Seth Rollins. A Promo School segment with Stephen Amell was also advertised, but Amell had to miss the show due to a pinched nerve in his back.
The highest rated episode of Backstage since premiering in its regular time slot has been CM Punk’s official debut as an analyst on November 19. That episode averaged 180,000 viewers and drew a 0.10 rating in the demo.
Punk will make his second appearance as an analyst on Backstage next week.
Here’s a look at Backstage viewership since debuting in its normal time slot:
After two weeks off, CM Punk’s next appearance on WWE Backstage will take place next Tuesday.
Last night’s Backstage included the announcement that Punk will be back on the show next week. It will be Punk’s second appearance as an analyst. After making a surprise appearance the prior Tuesday, Punk officially debuted on Backstage on November 19.
When FOX Sports announced that he was joining Backstage, it was noted that Punk’s role will be as a “special contributor and analyst.” He’ll make select appearances in studio but won’t be on the show every week.
Backstage airs on FS1 at 11 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesdays. The Backstage episode with Punk’s official debut averaged 180,000 viewers, which is the best number Backstage has done in its regular time slot.
Backstage drew 49,000 viewers for the first episode in its normal time slot on December 5. That rose to 100,000 viewers the next week. Last week, the show did 121,000 viewers.
Actor, pro wrestling fan, and occasional in-ring competitor Stephen Amell is set to appear on this week’s edition of WWE Backstage.
WWE on FOX announced yesterday that Amell will be the guest on Backstage’s Promo School segment this Tuesday. The segment features an athlete or celebrity cutting a promo and being graded by the Backstage panel, with the target of their promo then getting to respond to them.
This will be the fifth episode of Backstage since the show started airing in its regular time slot at 11 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesdays on FS1.
Amell made his in-ring debut by teaming with Neville against Cody Rhodes (as Stardust) & Wade Barrett at SummerSlam 2015. With his friendship with Cody and The Elite, Amell also teamed with Cody, The Young Bucks & Kenny Omega against Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, Scorpio Sky & Flip Gordon at an ROH show in 2017 and faced Daniels in a singles match at All In.
Amell is the star of “Arrow,” which is currently airing its final run of episodes. He’s been announced as the lead of a pro wrestling drama series called “Heels” that’s been given an eight-episode order by Starz.
Following last week’s episode that featured a heavily promoted appearance by CM Punk, Tuesday’s edition of WWE Backstage on FS1 averaged 121,000 viewers, down from 180,000 last week.
An appearance by WWE COO Paul “HHH” Levesque was the most promoted aspect from this week’s show as Punk was not advertised to appear. This week’s panel featured regulars Renee Young, Christian, Paige, Samoa Joe, and Booker T.
Backstage drew a 0.05 rating in the 18-49 demographic, placing it 125th in the demo for the day on cable.
A preview episode of WWE Backstage, which aired on October 16th following a ALCS baseball game, did 597,000 viewers. A second episode that aired after a special episode of SmackDown on FS1 did 426,000 viewers.
Here are the viewership numbers for the last four episodes since settling in to its regular Tuesday 11 PM Eastern time slot:
The story behind Jim Cornette’s greatest attribute, his mouth, leading to his latest fall, is covered in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We talk about the line he said, the background of the line, why Cornette was wide open for this reaction even though others have said worse of late to little or no outcry.
The new issue also covers:
NWA’s decision to get rid of him and what that happened, what opened Cornette up to this, his reaction, Nick Aldis and Dave Marquez speak on the subject, why it is not in the NWA’s best interest to be critical of AEW, Cornette’s line about Justin Roberts which started all this, how Jerry Lawler, Randy Orton and Eric Bischoff fit into the same story and how social media has changed things.
Cornette’s background, how he got started in wrestling, his managerial heyday, his time as a promoter and the lesson of how times have changed.
Five shows in six days in Chicago this week, lineups, ticket sales and ticket demand.
The return of C.M. Punk to WWE television on Backstage, rating, what he said and thoughts on the show.
Paul Levesque press conference and his talking on different subjects, an ACH update, NXT U.K. Takeover card, Starrcade card, Canadian ratings, German ratings, next Mexico show, NXT injuries, main roster injuries, WWE current market value, most watched shows on WWE Network and a rundown of all the NXT and WWE house shows over the past week with business notes.
The career of Ben Askren, including how WWE’s leading scout viewed him coming out of college and why he didn’t get an offer, his amateur background, his strengths in promoting himself, his career and his being forced to retire.
New Japan tag team tournament, standings plus notes and every match in the first week and coverage of the bigger show.
UFC show from Sao Paulo, Brazil with Jan Blachowicz vs. Ronaldo Jacare Souza.
Japan saying goodbye to Dick “The Destroyer” Beyer, what he was best known for in the country as well as coverage of his memorial this past week.
Wednesday ratings, with every match,every segment, viewers, demos and high points, the major lessons of the AEW viewer and the WWE viewer and the NXT viewer.
Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.
In-depth looks at the 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.
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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Triple H will be on WWE Backstage tonight on Fox Sports 1 talking about NXT’s win at Survivor Series. CM Punk will not be on the show, as confirmed by the WWE on FOX Twitter account.
Becky Lynch today has surpassed Ronda Rousey’s Raw Women’s championship title run, making her the longest reigning champion at 232 days.
In the dark match after Raw went off the air, The Fiend defeated Drew McIntyre in a steel cage match after giving him three Sister Abigails and walked out of the cage door.
Trish Stratus will be on The Bump tomorrow talking about her new WWE 24 documentary that will air after Starrcade on Sunday.
The company has recently trademarked old ECW event names, including CyberSlam and Barely Legal.
Sports Illustrated interviewed Shawn Michaels on training NXT stars.
Glenn Jacobs talked to Yahoo Sports promoting his new autobiography that is now out, including how he became involved in politics and the WWE’s support since taking elected office.
Pro Wrestling
A documentary on Bruno Sammartino will be screening in New York and Santa Monica, CA from November 29 through December 5.
SoCal Uncensored interviewed Rocky Romero about his career and New Japan’s expansion in the United States.
The New York Times wrote an obituary on Ethel Johnson, an early black women’s wrestling star who wrestled in the 1950s through the 1970s. She died of heart disease at the age of 83 on September 14, 2018.
MMA
A title fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Katlyn Chookagian has been confirmed for the February 8 event in Houston.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Brian Keck, who passed away in Mexico. He was the former wrestling coach for Xtreme Couture and Alliance MMA. The money is needed to send his body back home from Mexico.
Anthony Pettis will move back to lightweight to face Diego Ferreira on January 18.
Derrick Lewis announced a fight between him and Ilir Latifi for the UFC’s February 8 card in Houston.
Paige VanZant’s next fight may be against Amanda Ribas for UFC Brasilia in March.
A Mickey Gall vs. Carlos Condit fight for the December 7 UFC card is off after Condit had to pull out due to an eye injury. Gall has been removed from the card and will not face a replacement.
Ratings for WWE Backstage last night were up following last week’s CM Punk debut.
This week’s episode did 180,000 viewers. That number would be up from last week’s 100,000, and way up from the 49,000 the show did in their first week in their regular time slot. It was the 104th most watched show of the evening after failing to enter the top 150 since their November 5 premiere.
The first preview episode of WWE Backstage, which aired on October 16 following a ALCS baseball game did 597,000 viewers. A second episode that aired after a special episode of SmackDown on FS1 did 426,000 viewers.
Renee Young interviewed Punk during the second segment of last night’s Backstage where he talked about how he ended up getting the new gig as an analyst. He reiterated that he is under contract to FOX, not WWE, and that while he’s old enough to know not to say no, a return to WWE isn’t something he’s currently looking for.
When CM Punk first walked out of the company, no one would have guessed that his return to WWE-related programming would come at nearly midnight on an FS1 studio show.
The possibility became more and more of a reality over the past few months, but — with Punk saying FOX hadn’t followed up on his tryout — it was still a surprise when it happened. At the end of the second official episode of WWE Backstage, Renee Young hyped that it was time for the show to have its first iconic, history-making moment. “Cult of Personality” then hit, with Punk making his way into the studio and stepping into the ring at the center of the set.
“It’s as simple as this: Just when they think they’ve got the answers, I change…the culture,” Punk said, “I’ll see you here next week.”
FOX Sports wasted no time confirming that Punk had officially joined Backstage.
CM Punk followed his debut on last week’s WWE Backstage by joining Renee Young in a sitdown interview on tonight’s episode.
He first reiterated that he is employed by Fox and has not been in contact with anyone from WWE. He said he liked that as he gets to criticize the company. He also said that he was now at a point in his life where he can pick and choose what he does and doesn’t have to work with what he called “jerks”.
Renee asked if anyone interesting texted him after the debut. Punk mentioned Jim Ross, but he didn’t think it was strange as he still regularly texts with him. He mentioned that since leaving wrestling, he’s kept his inner circle small.
The question about returning to WWE in an in-ring capacity was brought up, with Renee Young mentioning that Survivor Series was in Chicago. Punk said he had no interest in doing that, but he’s old enough now to know to never say no. He said it was a bridge that needs to be built, and that bridge is about as big as the Great Wall of China.
Punk remained on the show for the rest of the broadcast, which included a preview of Survivor Series as well as a Promo Class segment with special guest David Arquette. Punk also had advice for Seth Rollins after Rollins called out Punk on Twitter.
Joseph Currier looks at the reactions to Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega’s unsanctioned match.
AEW’s first pay-per-view since debuting on weekly television was headlined by what will likely end up being the most divisive match of the year.
For some, Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega’s unsanctioned lights out match at Full Gear was a hardcore classic. To others, it was a gratuitously violent and long match that was a misstep for AEW. They wrestled for over 38 minutes and did everything they could to try and have the epic hardcore match that its biggest fans thought it was. A board covered in mouse traps, a chain, a screwdriver, glass, barbed wire, and a barbed wire spider web were just some of the weapons used. By the end of the match, part of the ring was deconstructed — and a Paradigm Shift DDT on the exposed wood finally put an end to things and gave Moxley the win.
Every move AEW has made in its brief history has been overanalyzed to the point of exhaustion. Each positive and negative moment has probably been assigned too much importance. But AEW is defining its identity over the course of the promotion’s first year. Moxley vs. Omega is now always going to be part of that. Full Gear was an opportunity for AEW to put their best foot forward to an audience that has sampled their first six weeks of TV. While it’s likely that some things were gimmicked and Moxley vs. Omega wasn’t quite as violent as it came off as, AEW not only didn’t shy away from the “blood and guts” criticism that Vince McMahon leveled at them — they leaned into it.
The return of C.M. Punk to the pro wrestling scene and coverage of AEW’s Full Gear and the lessons after seven weeks of television of what we’ve learned from AEW and NXT are the lead stories in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We examine the timeline of C.M. Punk and his deal with WWE Backstage, including the original approach, how things were viewed along the way, the last AEW offer and how much AEW wanted him, what he said that led to AEW going cold, and his debut on Backstage on Tuesday night.
We cover what has and hasn’t happened for NXT and AEW since getting television. We look at things like maintaining audience, live sales, PPV, NWA Powerr and its reaction and numbers, key demo ratings, how NXT came close once, PPV numbers, how the date backfired on AEW, how PPV changed with television with organizations in the past, plus full coverage of Full Gear with business notes, match-by-match coverage, star ratings and poll results.
The new issue also covers:
Survivor Series update with booking changes made, how that affects TLC and early plans for that show, plus a key title match not yet announced.
Steve Austin’s new WWE Network show, the value of WrestleMania, how ticket sales this year differed from shows in the past, Johnny Gargano injury and how that changed the Takeover card, ACH update, Sin Cara talks wanting out, new John Cena movie, Rusev talks his angle with Lashley, Starrcade card, Evolve notes, as well as WWE market value, most watched shows on WWE Network and a look at all the WWE and NXT live events over the past week with results, highlights and business news.
Notes on New Japan’s coming to San Jose with match-by-match coverage.
Full rundown on the UFC show in Moscow and the stories behind it.
Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.
In-depth looks at the 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.
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Bill Goldberg told Sports Illustrated that his match with Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam was not his last: “It’s by no means my farewell performance, nor was it my best performance, but you have to be realistic and take all things into consideration. It’s a very good possibility I’ll be back, but you don’t know it until it’s done.”
David Arquette will appear on the “Promo School” segment on tonight’s episode of Backstage. Ember Moon will also appear on the show, which airs on FS1 at 11 p.m. Eastern time and will feature CM Punk’s debut as an analyst.
A WWE 24 episode on Trish Stratus and her match against Charlotte Flair from SummerSlam will premiere on the WWE Network after Starrcade on December 1.
A WWE corporate employee named Mike won the 24/7 championship earlier today at a Town Hall meeting at WWE headquarters. Hours later, R-Truth defeated him to regain the title. Mike was billed as the first WWE employee to hold the title.
The mid-season finale of Total Divas airs tonight on E!, which covers WrestleMania. The series will return on December 3.
They have also uploaded a preview for the first episode of WWE Network’s new series The Broken Skull Sessions featuring The Undertaker. That will air following Sunday’s Survivor Series event.
Titus O’Neil is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Millennium magazine.
Pro Wrestling
The NWA announced a new series called The Circle Squared, where talent will be given the opportunity to showcase their skills with the possibility of earning an NWA contract. The first episodes of the series will be recorded at the next NWA tapings, which take place December 14 -16 at the GPB Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.
Rudson Caliocane, a former Titan FC bantamweight champion, suffered a brain stem ischemic stroke after his fight against Matheus Mendonca on October 19. He has been paralyzed across the left side of the body since then and has vacated the bantanweight title as a result. Doctors noted it may have been due to the dehydration that comes with weight cutting, as Caliocante had lost 13.4 pounds prior to the fight.
In an interview with MMA Fighting, Israel Adesanya expressed interest in a fight against Jared Cannonier following Paulo Costa’s bicep injury.
Former pro wrestler, trainer, and broadcaster Les Thatcher and I return to talk CM Punk’s return to WWE-related programming, the Wednesday Night Wars, the original Sheik and more.
We discuss what Punk brings to WWE Backstage, whether Chris Jericho should add a new member to the Inner Circle, an AEW viewership pattern to keep an eye on, did Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega go too far at Full Gear, and the new book being written on The Sheik.
As always, thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!
In the latest example of never say never, C.M. Punk showed up at the end of WWE Backstage on 11/12, and announced he would be starting on the show next week.
The news was something of a surprise, even though it was known he had pushed for the spot and had taken a screen test, and at the time it was widely expected he’d be hired. Punk and everyone had gone mum on the subject in recent weeks, although there were people saying he was in.
Punk will join the regular cast of Renee Young, Booker T, Christian, Paige and Ryan Satin on the show that airs at 11 p.m. Tuesday nights on FS 1. In theory, Punk is with FOX, and not WWE, but the show thus far has been a promotional arm and hardly independent coverage. Punk will appear regularly, but not necessarily on every show.
After the show’s official premiere averaged just 49,000 viewers, the audience for WWE Backstage doubled in week two.
Last night’s episode of Backstage averaged 100,000 viewers on FS1. This was the second time that Backstage aired in its regular time slot at 11 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesdays.
Two preview episodes aired prior to the show making its official debut. The first preview episode averaged 597,000 viewers after an MLB playoff game, and the second one averaged 426,000 viewers after an episode of SmackDown that aired on FS1 due to the World Series being on FOX.
Backstage is expected to get a boost in the ratings when CM Punk appears on the show next week. Punk made a surprise appearance at the end of last night’s episode and said that he would be on Backstage next Tuesday. FOX Sports then announced that Punk is joining Backstage as special contributor and analyst and will make select appearances on the show.
Video of Punk’s appearance from last night is available to watch below:
After a five-year absence from WWE programing, CM Punk resurfaced on tonight’s episode of WWE Backstage.
Renee Young introduced Punk towards the end of tonight’s show. Punk entered the studio to “Cult of Personality,” walked to the camera, and said “It’s as simple as this: just when they think they have the answers, I change the culture.” He then said he would be on next week’s episode of Backstage.
In a press release, it was noted that Punk would be joining WWE Backstage as a special contributor and analyst. He will be making select appearances in the studio with regular hosts Young and Booker T.
It was reported previously in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Punk’s agents contacted FOX about being part of WWE Backstage. He took part in a screen test but no information on his status had been revealed until now.
Punk walked out of WWE in January 2014, the day after that year’s Royal Rumble.
WWE Backstage airs on Tuesdays at 11 p.m. Eastern time on FS1. It’s a FOX Sports production, which means that Punk will be working for FOX rather than WWE.
The ratings for the official debut of WWE Backstage on FS1 can only be described as disappointing.
ShowBuzzDaily reported that WWE Backstage averaged 49,000 viewers last night, with a 0.02 rating in the 18-49 demo. It did not crack the top 150 shows on cable for Tuesday.
ESPN won the night on cable with college basketball and their College Football Playoff rankings show.
This was the first time that Backstage aired in its regular time slot at 11 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday. Two preview episodes aired last month and did significantly better in the ratings, though both of those shows had strong lead-ins.
The first preview episode on October 15, which aired following an MLB playoff game, drew 597,000 viewers. The second episode on October 25, which followed SmackDown airing on FS1 due to the World Series, scored 426,000 viewers.
WWE had promoted last night’s show with appearances by Shawn Michaels, John Cena, and Rob Gronkowski. They also advertised an episode of Firefly Fun House featuring new WWE Universal Champion The Fiend Bray Wyatt.
