Here is your news for November 13 2019
We're starting off with arguably the biggest news of the year
as the WWE has confirmed that CM Punk is back in WWE.
Punk, who left the company in January 2014, made a shocking appearance at the end of
this week's edition of WWE Back stage, coming out to his iconic theme Cult of Personality.
Speaking to the WWE Universe for the first time in years, the Chicago Made star
confirmed that this won't be his only appearance on the show, telling fans that he
will see them their next week, and FOX confirmed that Punk will be making periodic
appearances on WWE Back stage beginning next Tuesday
There was a long time when fans thought the idea of a Punk return was impossible
especially after the former World Champion vocally crticized the company
for how it had treated him, and other Superstars backstage.
A scathing interview about WWE's Dr. Chris Amann also made the chances
of a Punk return unlikely, as did the defamation lawsuit by Amann that Punk
and former friend Colt Cabana ultimately won.
It should be noted that last week's premiere broadcast of WWE Backstage drew
just 49,000 fans in, though expect that number to rise dramtically
next week with an appearance by the Best in the World.
Though this is obvious great news for WWE and their Backstage show, the latest Monday Night RAW
suffered some worrying reports about Seth Rollins, as the company
is allegedly editing fan response to the former Universal Champion.
According to those who attended the latest RAW from Manchester, England
the Beast Slayer got some heavy boos when he appeared, but it sounded
like he was getting heavily cheered on TV.
On Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alverez said:
"Apparently the Rollins segment was so heavily edited, they used
crowd reactions from the October 28 Raw for the cutaways,"
“Listen when I was watching that last night, Seth Rollins said something
and they cut to a shot of the crowd cheering. Then when they cut back to him
everyone was all of a sudden sitting down again.”
Alverez also said that there was several more examples of the crowd being
sweetened to favour the former Universal Champion, and the Wrestling
Observer journalist isn't the only one to speak out.
On Twitter, Talk Sport's Alex Mc Carthy said he was at the show, and noted
that Rollins' comment about being the best wrestler on the planet was booed live
but when the show aired on TV, fans couldn't hear the negative crowd.
Another fan on Twitter also said that Rollins had to wait a solid minute and a half before
he could start his promo, and if this is true, then this was also cut from the broadcast.
It's surprising to see Rollins be turned on by fans in a similar way to how Roman Reigns was in
2014, but the moments with the Architect weren't the only parts of RAW that was chopped up.
According to multiple fan reports, the Lana-Rusev-Lashley segment was heavily booed
during the show, but the negative reaction wasn't nearly
as strong when the episode was aired much later.
Whilst you could still hear the fans boo Lana for her actions,
fans in Manchester said the Ravishing Russian had go- away heat
instead of heel heat, because the segment was so bad.
Having canned crowd reactions is nothing new in WWE, and has been used
since the 1980s, when the then- WWF would pipe in crowd noise on their weekly shows
and taped episodes of Saturday Nights Main Event.
Nowadays, its much harder to fake a crowd reaction, since both RAW
and SmackDown are aired live, but it seems Vince McMahon took the opportunity
this week to edit with the red brand that had been filmed well in advance.
From WWE to AEW now and whilst the latest episode of Being the Elite didn't contain
any bombshell announcements, it did cover a lot from last Saturday's Pay Per View
including the barbed wire board and highlighting more issues
between Hangman Page and the Young Bucks.
Appropriately called 'Backstage at Full Gear,', the video also covered a lot
from after the recent Dynamite in Charlotte, where there was
one segment that will definitely have fans talking.
At about the 4 minute 40 mark, Matt and Nick Jackson joked about being
delayed at DFW International Airport, even describing the situation as
hostage situation in a quote "lawless desert."
Whilst they didn't mention the country specifically, it's clear that the Bucks
are referencing WWE's recent troubles in Saudi Arabia, where several Superstars
were left to stay overnight in Riyadh after what WWE claimed were mechanical issues
but others have suggested was due to more serious concerns.
We're not quite sure whether its funny or inappropriate to make jokes about fellow
wrestlers feeling worried for their own safety, but if we know the Bucks and AEW
this won't be the last time they bring up WWE as a punchline to their humour.
Since Crown Jewel, there has been plenty of rumors about WWE's backstage work
with the alleged story being that mechanical issues with the plane
were the only reason they got stuck in the Middle East as part of some kind of cover-up,
and that their running down the dirt sheets was mandated by corporate.
Whatever the truth is, it's clear we won't find out anytime soon
if ever, but expect plenty of discussion about the issues for a long time to come.
We're heading back to RAW now and although the Rusev, Lana and Lashley love triangle
was met with heavy boos by fans, this doesn't seem to be the reaction for those involved.
It seems fans are still undecided whether the storyline is bad, or so bad its good,
but one person who likes it is Rusev, who spoke to British tabloid
The Sun about why he is so fond of the storyline. He said:
"It’s great. I think we are in the best storyline currently going on and the best
storyline that’s been around for years. It’s getting a lot of views and a lot of eyes on it
Some people like it, some people love it, but at the end of the day, it’s the hottest storyline going on.
It’s a collaboration. There’s adjustments that we make outside of kayfabe
but that’s just life. We’re committed to our characters on TV, so we just have to
make slight adjustments, but we’re professionals and we’re coping with it.”
It's hard to argue with Rusev's claim of the angle being hot, as the Youtube video
of the fake pregnancy from this week's RAW is by far the most watched video
from the show, so though many consider the story to be a car crash
it's a wreck that fans still want to see.
Continuing, Rusev also gave a positive outlook to his entire WWE career, saying:
"“My goal is to be healthy, that’s my first-and-foremost. It doesn’t matter about
storylines or things like that. One day you ride a tank but the next day, you do nothing
but main event dark matches so it’s a big wave, you just gotta ride the wave and do the best
with anything that is given to you. You gotta enjoy everything you do, and you gotta control
what you can control because some things you can’t, and there’s no point being mad so
whatever I can control, I do, and if not, I’m just having a blast with it.”
This definitely seems like the right attitude from the Bulgarian Brute, but hopefully
the former US Champion will get more high profile angles down the line
that don't involve other people sleeping with his wife.
Whilst Vic Joseph keeps telling fans our hearts should go out to Rusev for this fictional
predicament, his heart certainly isn't going out to those who want the angle to end.
From one monster of WWE to another now, as it's apparent that Braun
Strowman isn't friends with AEW star Jon Moxley.
On Instagram, the Monster Among Men wrote: "When you laugh in the face of
competition cause you know you are baddest mother fu**er in the business
regardless of what the pencil does!!!! #MyLegacy #MyLife #MyRules
#IFuckingMadeThis #ItsMine #TryMe #IllEatYouAlive."
Big words by the Greatest Royal Rumble, Strowman did take issue with a comment
by a fan, who described Moxley as the baddest in the biz, Strowman said
that he quote "drug that dude so bad he had to go to another promotion."
Whilst it may just be Strowman playing up to a character, fans have already started
speculation of any beef the two may have had when Moxley was in WWE as Dean Ambrose.
It's unlikely the former Lunatic Fringe will reply though, as he's a known recluse on social media
and is likely healing up from his brutal Lights Out match he had with Kenny Omega at Full Gear.
Though no-one in WWE wants to admit it, it's clear that the War with AEW is very real.
We're looking at the EVOLVE promotion next in the video, as this December's
EVOLVE 141 show will feature the WWE's United Kingdom Champion WALTER.
At the show, the Austrian Super star will face Timothy Thatcher in Livonia Michigan
on December 6th, and will also appear at EVOLVE 142 the next night in Chicago Illinois
where he will take on the company's champion Josh Briggs in Non-title action.
Briggs, who won the title last week from Austin Theory, will certainly have a busy week, as the
day before he faces WALTER, he'll be defending his title against JD Drake at the 141 show.
EVOLVE 141 is taking place at the Monaghan Knights of Columbus Hall,
whilst EVOLVE 142 will take place at the Logan Square Auditorium.
Back to WWE now and though this recent tour of Europe must have been exhausting for the
Superstars, that didn't stop Kevin Owens from thanking his recent tag partner Rey Mysterio.
On Twitter, the Prizefighter described teaming with the masked legend as an honour,
"I’ve experienced lots of highs and lows in this industry over the past 20 years
Getting to team with this guy tonight definitely belongs in the “highs"
category!An absolute honor. Thank you, @reymysterio."
It's funny that it would only have been a year or so ago that Owens
would have blasted and berated Mysterio on Twitter, presumably calling him old and
weathered, but the newer face Kevin Owens is a much different man.
Owens was also a part of this week's Monday Night RAW, but even
the appearance of the former Universal Champion couldn't save the show.
According to Show buzz Daily, the November 11th edition of the red brand
drew an average of 2.06 million viewers, the lowest number for the show in 2019.
It should be noted that the November 4th RAW did 2.13 million viewers
but that this week's RAW was actually taped in the UK on Friday November 8th,
and that having the results available days before the episode aired
may have been a factor in the dropping figures.
As far as demographics go, RAW averaged a 0,64 rating in the 18-49 group, down from last week's 0.75.
It was the NFL match between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks
that dominated the night, drawing 15.9 million viewers, and a 5.09 figure for 18-49s.
Breaking RAW down, Hour one started with 2.35 million and a 0.75 rating
which dropped to 2.06 million and a 0.66 rating in hour two
before settling at 1.75 million, and a 0.52 demographic rating in hour three
From RAW to SmackDown next, and whilst Sasha Banks is now a regular part
of the show, it wasn't that long ago that the Boss was reportedly looking to quit.
Taking a hiatus after Wrestle Mania, the future was unclear for the Boss
as she denied a backstage incident at the Pay Per View despite earlier admitting to it.
One thing we do know is that Sasha is making bank in WWE, and cut
an in-kayfabe promo to Sam Roberts at the recent Ring side Fest.
Staying in character, Banks said she receives perks including a private bus and plane
which have been gifted to her exclusively from Vince Mc Mahon. She said:
"Yeah [I was negotiating during my hiatus]. It’s all about the money. That’s why
why I haven’t been really wrestling on SmackDown yet because I’m waiting for the
check to get cleared to bonus out, so. I only really wrestle for money. Triple H said
he was going to pay me extra, but I guess he’s a little poor right now
so I got the check from Vince. Thank you again, Vince
“I’m just waiting on that check from Hunta… I’m gonna collect for what he did
on Friday Night SmackDown, by the way. He still owes me a ton of money
from NXT as well, so… Hell yeah he does. So if he wants to be in the Bank Statement
I’m gonna come to collect.”
It's interesting to see the Boss call out Triple H in this way, but as the head of NXT
we can't help but wonder whether the Game will have some retaliation
on the SmackDown Superstar, thanks to the women of the gold brand.
Speaking of NXT, fans have seen plenty of the brand's former World Champions be on the cusp
of a push on RAW and SmackDown, and one Superstar who was nearly there is Aleister Black.
Recently, Black has continued to cut promos backstage, but according to Dave Meltzer, the Dutch
Superstar is out with a knee injury, but the company wants him to remain on TV.
Hopefully, Black's injury isn't too serious, as he'll be needing those legs
to deliver kicks, but it's good to see WWE hasn't given up on him.
Though the WWE hasn't given up on Black, there's quite a few Superstars who want
out of the company, with many tweeting about AEW interest to increase their value.
During Starrcast 4, Cody and Brandi Rhodes were asked about WWE talent
using their name to get bigger contracts from McMahon, and Cody said
he's fine with the practice, as it's best for business.
"“I’ll say this, we’re — as wrestlers — we’re brothers and sisters as wrestlers
we really are. It doesn’t matter what roof we’re under. The wrestling industry
when you compare it to other forms of comparable influence like popular TV
where they’re paid so much and they’re unionized
and they have so much to protect and safeguards.”
“One of the most exciting things about AEW is we’ve been able to raise the entire payfloor
for the entire industry. So that if Randy [Orton] wants to take a dumb photo on an
elevator and tag people he doesn’t even know in it and if [WWE] is dumb enough to buy it
and they pay him a certain amount good for Randy Orton, you know what I’m saying? He’s
a good guy he’s got like 20 kids now, I love him… I love Randy. I never got to beat him, dammit.”
You'll never know who might turn up in AEW, but it looks like Rhodes will have to wait
a while for his shot at the Viper, after Orton signed a five-year- deal to stay with WWE.
And we're finishing with a story about WWE's Apex Predator today
as Orton has challenged John Cena to a match for Wrestle Mania 36.
Initially challenging The Rock that didn't work out, it was an in-flight magazine
with Cena's face on that caused Orton to change strategy, and Sports Illustrated's
Justin Barraso recently spoke with the 16-time World Champion about the match. Cena said:
"I wasn’t even aware of that. I never make the matches, I’m just grateful to be
able to perform in WWE. Every day away from it, I miss it more and more and more
I’m becoming more honest with myself about how much I miss it. I’m very eager
to get back into a WWE ring soon.
And on the subject of Wrestle Mania, I can tell you this—I haven’t missed
a WrestleMania since my first appearance at WrestleMania 19, and I do not plan
to miss a WrestleMania for decades to come.”
Fans will know that Cena and Orton are no strangers in or out of the ring
but do you want to see the pair write what could be the last chapter of their rivalry, next April
in Tampa? Let us know in the comments below and as always, thanks for watching.