Here is your news for October 18 2019
We're looking at the Wednesday Night War to start off today
and AEW has defeated NXT for the third week in a row.
According to Showbuzz Daily, AEW was able to outshine the yellow brand once again
though both shows continued to see a decline in viewers for their 8-10pm broadcasts.
The latest edition of Dynamite drew 1.01 million fans, down from last week's 1.02 million
possibly due to a playoff baseball game pre-empting the TNT feed.
In the 18-49 demographic, Dynamite got a .44 share, another fall from past episodes
Things weren't much better for NXT, as the black and gold brand lost about 78,000
fans who watched last week, with the recent show getting 712,000 viewers.
In the coveted 18-49 demographic, NXT fell to a 0.2 share, being the 30th best show for the night.
Whilst AEW may be winning the Wednesday Night War, the continuing fall of viewers
is a worrying sign, and with both promotions set to compete against the second game
of the World Series between Washington and either New York or Houston
don't expect this trend to end anytime soon.
We've got some Seth Rollins news now as whilst we reported on the story
a few days ago, the WWE have confirmed that the Architect
will only compete against Bray Wyatt at Crown Jewel.
In a WWE Now video, McKenzie Mitchell announced that Rollins had been pulled from
Team Hogan, who will face Team Flair on October 31st at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
There's currently no word on who will replace the Universal Champion
for the Hulkster's team, but expect that, along with the identities of the rest of
Hogan and Flair's squads, to be revealed in the coming weeks.
One Superstar fans shouldn't expect to see at Crown Jewel is Sasha Banks,
who is set to return to TV tonight on SmackDown after a few weeks out of action.
Not only that, the Boss will be revealing a new wig, and it looks pretty interesting.
In a post on social media, Savis David of Gypsy Loc showed off the new do, saying:
“Full lace glow in the dark wig is on the way Sasha Banks. Adding final touches.”
It's clear that Banks, who was moved to SmackDown in the recent WWE draft
is looking to make an impression on the blue brand, but this news has also made
us wonder what Naomi will think, as glowing in the dark has been her thing
in the past, though she hasn't been seen in months.
Tonight's show won't just be about the Boss' hairdo though, as head of Crown Jewel,
four teams will battle on tonight's show, ahead of the Largest Tag Team Turmoil in history.
On SmackDown, The New Day's Big E and Xavier Woods will team with Heavy Machinery to
face Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler, as well as the SmackDown Tag Champions The Revival.
This match comes ahead of the Largest Tag Team Turmoil in history, which will take place at
Crown Jewel and will, according to WWE at least, determine the Best Tag Team in the World.
It's an accolade all the teams will no-doubt be aiming for, and given that tonight's teams could
possibly face each other in Riyadh, it'll be interesting to see if they can co-exist tonight.
Tonight's SmacKDown will also see a huge 6 pack challenge which will determine
the next number one contender for SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley.
The recently heel-turned Bayley captured the title on last week's show against
Charlotte Flair, and will be looking on as Carmella, Nikki Cross, Dana Brooke, Lacey Evans
Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose battle for the opportunity to take her title.
Of those six women, only the Staten Island Princess knows what it's like to have held the
SmackDown Women's Title, and it'll be interesting to see if Carmella
will be able to square off against her real-life best friend.
Though the new Bayley captured the title during last week's draft, that wasn't the only
surprise the brand extension saw, but not every Superstar is happy about what happened.
One Superstar who is particularly ticked off is Sami Zayn, who fired off a tweet about
how ridiculous he feels the choice of Shinsuke Nakamura and himself was.
The two former NXT Champions were picked in the third-round, and the Canadian
Superstar was particularly unhappy about Roman Reigns, who hasn't held
a title in a year, being picked over himself and the Inter continental Champion.
Responding, the Big Dog issued a challenge to the King of Strong Style, and tonight's show
will see Roman face Nakamura for the IC title, a belt Reigns last held in January 2018.
Tonight's episode of SmackDown will be the first Official show under Bruce Prichard, as
the new Executive Director of the Brand has replaced the recently-released Eric Bischoff.
More news from the draft now as though the selections may be over
there are still plenty of free agents up for grabs.
Recently, WWE confirmed that the Authors of Pain will be heading to RAW, which makes
sense given the fact that the former Tag Team Champions were already on the red brand.
There are still a handful of other stars, including Matt Hardy, The Usos, Naomi
The Ascension and The Colons, who remain undrafted, and fans will just have to
wait and see when, or if the WWE gets around to addressing these remaining names.
We're looking outside of WWE now, as New Japan Pro Wrestling's parent company
recently purchased STARDOM, despite the deal almost going in another direction.
During Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alverez revealed that WWE tried to purchase the
women's wrestling promotion, but when STARDOM wanted to know what
WWE's plans were, the Sports Entertainment Juggernaut didn't have an answer. Alverez said:
“I was told that STARDOM wanted to know ‘what are your plans if you buy STARDOM?’
WWE didn’t have any plans — I know that’s stunning if you’ve watched
WWE television — and as a result the deal fell through. That’s what I was told."
WWE may have a lot of money and some big goals, but it seems there was no big
plans for STARDOM, other than for them to be taken under WWE's umbrella.
Recently, it was reported that WWE tried to purchase the NOAH promotion as well
in an effort to launch their NXT Japan brand, and given that two huge Japanese
promotions have turned them down, we can't help but wonder where WWE
will go from here in their efforts to extend their reach.
It's clear that WWE is always looking for ways to spread its influence
and the company recently announced that they will be entering the
previously untapped market of gambling machines.
According to reports, WWE is teaming up with BluBeri to develop a series of
officially licensed slot games, that will feature WWE Super stars and legends alike.
Superstars who have been named for the project already include Roman Reigns, John
Cena, Triple H, Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch, whilst legends like Shawn Michaels,
Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan will also soon be lighting up casinos
and gaming establishments all over.
One man who knows all about taking a chance is Cain Velasquez
who recently retired from UFC to join WWE as a Superstar.
This week, the former UFC Heavyweight Champion shared an image of him training
at indie wrestler B-Boy's Level Up Pro Wrestling School in San Diego, ahead of Velasquez
WWE debut match at Crown Jewel, where he will take on WWE Champion Brock Lesnar.
It'll be interesting to see what offence Velasquez has in store for the fans in Riyadh
on October 31st, as the former UFC Champion used a handful of Lucha Libre moves
in AAA, and could very well surprise a lot of people.
Velasquez, who said that he was quote "putting in work today" at the school
also sent a warning to the Beast, saying that whilst he's beaten Lesnar
before, this time it's about family.
These two behemoths will face off at Crown Jewel on October 31st, and will be
a huge talking point for WWE's new podcast, After the Bell.
The new show, which will premiere on October 30th, will be hosted by Corey Graves
and promises an "edgy" and "unpredictable" look at WWE TV, with a press statement saying:
"Hosted by Corey Graves, “After the Bell” is an official WWE podcast that gives you
a provocative look at the latest in Raw, SmackDown and NXT. Featuring exclusive Superstar
Superstar interviews, “ATB” examines the world of WWE both between and beyond the ropes
in a way that’s as edgy and unpredictable as Graves himself."
This podcast will be the first official show in WWE's partner ship with Endeavour Audio
which fans may recall as the podcast platform that the Bella Twins have used.
The company has also revealed who Graves' first guest will be, a man who knows
all about being edgy and unpredictable himself, 14-time World Champion Triple H.
This isn't the first time WWE have tried something like this with Graves
who hosted an electric chair segment on RAW earlier this year, which fans will probably
remember for Sami Zayn name- dropping AEW after being dissapointed with the crowd.
We're going back in time now as though The Undertaker didn't have a great time the last time
he competed in Saudi Arabia, it seems the Deadman is in a much better mood now.
Footage has recently come out of the Phenom taking part in a huge parade for Riyadh Season
and this has, of course, led to speculation that the former Champion will have some
involvement with this month's Crown Jewel event which will also happen in Riyadh.
In a translated tweet from Wrestling AC, the video's caption read:
“Footage of the emergence of the legend wrestling Undertaker in a parade Just a few days ago”.
Looking at the video, it seems WWE had their own float in the parade, complete
with giant versions of the Under taker and Roman Reigns, and it's clear the WWE's
deal with Saudi Arabia isn't slowing down anytime soon.
And finally, we're moving from Saudi Arabia to the UK, as the WWE has
confirmed that A-Kid is coming to the NXT UK brand.
Whilst WWE confirmed the news during the latest installment of the show
this isn't exactly new news, as due to the show being taped in advance
fans already knew he was wrestling for them.
With that said, these aired hype videos almost certainly confirm he has signed
a contract with the company, and given Kid's tons of ability
in the ring, this is a huge get for NXT UK.