No worries. I hope you enjoy. I haven’t had the chance to go through much yet. Don’t know what I’m missing/about to put you through yet, lol.

I hope MLW get together the resources to put together something exciting for that Battle Riot show. At this point, I’ll ever take Adam Scherr showing up in the Riot, since he seems tailor-made for it.

That talk of Vince wanting to overhaul everything -- those changes can't come soon enough, bring 'em on


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">RAW: 1.57 million</p>&mdash; Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) <a href="https://twitter.com/bryanalvarez/status/1410005142116528128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WWE have applied for the trademark “Happy Corbin”

He can have himself, Shane, Steph, and HHH all come out and promise a new era!!!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">RAW Ratings this week over the last 5 years<br>2016: 3.4 million<br>2017: 3.0 million<br>2018: 2.6 million<br>2019: 2.2 million<br>2020: 1.7 million<br>2021: 1.5 million<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWERaw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWERaw</a> <br>��</p>&mdash; Chris Lonas (@XtremeEffect) <a href="https://twitter.com/XtremeEffect/status/1410024334446501895?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Oof. That’s only about 3x that of AEW.

I'm sure at least some of it can be attributed to more and more people "cutting the cord" in recent years, but yeah.

People cutting the chord between Saturday and Monday? Those ratings are from this week.

It’s true that people consume media in different ways. It’s true that people are cutting cable. A lot of that is because there isn’t much that holds their attention on there that they can’t get somewhere else, and they can no longer justify the price. And a lot of it is because the wrestling is too long and not good enough.

Lana/CJ Perry’s spilling the tea was that she didn’t like stories being dropped, Vince would re-write shows and he sent her a complimentary text message when she got fired. Some hot takes there.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I was put on this earth to do something. What I’m doing is not it.</p>&mdash; Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWEGraves/status/1411142249631653892?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I agree.

Is he still doing Carmella?

To be blunt, Graves was a subpar in-ring performer.

Has MLW started airing on Vice yet? I’ve got a bad feeling that the whole thing is going to tank, but want to be wrong. Do we even know if it going to be original programming or if it’s going to be Fusion?

I’m no fan of Braun Strowman, but they should try and get some of these WWE guys out of their no-competes in there for the Battle Riot, including Scherr.

SD - 1.741 million viewers


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The overnight viewership numbers for last night's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SmackDown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SmackDown</a> are in, with the show receiving the lowest rating ever in it's time on FOX:<a href="https://t.co/bwwfS6CDTS">https://t.co/bwwfS6CDTS</a></p>&mdash; WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestleTalk_TV/status/1411379966332358656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I agree with you.

I also have no clue when the first ep on VICE is, they gotta get better at promoting their shit.

Aren't MLW notoriously cheap

Yeah, I think so.

I was really enjoying their show when I'd watch it a few years ago on YT. Hoping they can put on a good show in 2021, whenever the show starts up.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Impact scored 69K, the lowest audience for the show ever. The glitch definitely had an impact, although I don't know if it would have been enough to get to the 111K range it did the week before. <a href="https://t.co/dvBEoOvRqB">https://t.co/dvBEoOvRqB</a></p>&mdash; Raj Giri (@RajGiri_303) <a href="https://twitter.com/RajGiri_303/status/1411469650412507137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Oof. Here’s a scary thought: Impact is closer to AEW than AEW is to SmackDown.

There are reports of them paying some guys wonky. Which is never good, don’t get me wrong, but I think the issues all got resolved. They’re basically a grassroots project, so I think what they really need is some network backing to lock some guys into proper deals and make sure they don’t have those issues. With MLW, I feel there’s this very clear barrier they need to cross in terms of getting star power to get the revenue in.

I think the money would need to come from somewhere externally, since MLW don’t really have it themselves. They’ve got partnerships with DAZN, BeIn and Vice, so hopefully between the three, something can crop up there.

It’s better that than doing crazy shit for attention from the people who would follow anyway if it were good and had genuine stars they knew how to follow.

I’d be having convos with Bryan Danielson, Brock Lesnar, Adam Scherr, Tommy End and even guys like Johnny Curtis and Tyler Freeze. It’d be great if they could get CM Punk in to do commentary, but he might upstage the show. Still, you get him to call a few shows before doing a program with Tom Lawlor or something. Sign Mickie James, Tessa Blanchard, Ivelisse (if she can play nice), Marina Shafir, Kiera Hogan and Santana Garrett for a Women’s Division.

Between all that, if you can get the funds for it together, you’ve got something that might feel a bit like pro-wrestling that could half-way get attention between its platforms.

I dunno. Maybe I’m hoping beyond hope.

It’s between them and Ring of Honor to get serious, in my opinion. I just read an article with a quote from Joe Koff who elaborated on something I’ve heard Cornette talk about: Although it’s not in the weekly Nielsen ratings because it’s broken up though syndication, no one talks about how many people watch Ring of Honor.

In March of this year, Koff was reporting 300k-400k, maybe 500k people for ROH. If Sinclair broke big, went for some names, they could easily nudge that number up. I also don’t see the harm in doing a cable show, using that promote your syndicated content, and using the TV rights from cable to offset your production costs.

Maybe Corgan will find some money and luck? Fuck.

I can't imagine MLW is making "game changing" money from Vice, but you never know. I think that in all likelihood an MLW contract is probably not your sole source of income. But I do think that could change. They are restrictive on what companies you can work for if they have you locked into a contract. I know they've sold out the 2300 arena for the Battle Riot tapings and I wouldn't be surprised if they stop running the smaller ballroom venues for tapings. In my opinion the venue they run in Queens is way too small.
I don't expect MLW to rise up to 500k viewers any time soon but if they are able to get a big WWE release like Tommy End or Braun, you never know. But that seems wishful thinking.
They did sign hyped NXT release EJ Nduka, and he could be a homegrown star for them if all goes well.

I've kinda cornered MLW in the past, they have an ECW spirit to them. I also think the company name is the best name for a Wrestling promotion ever. Court is a great promoter in my opinion and does his best with what he has. It's just that money has left them with some undesirable talents for me at times.

A lot of the MLW shows I have been to lack that one "great match". When ROH was younger every show had at least one amazing match when you'd go to see them live, and I wish MLW had that as well.

ROH in those days was so fucking good. I'm talking the Danielson, Morishima, McGuiness, Joe, Aries, Tyler Black, Chris Hero, Kingston days. I have some amazing memories of the true spectacle of ROH at times. MLW has never given that feeling. They pull of that ECW style "surprise" pop though and put out some great hardcore style matches. Always hoping for more from MLW.

Nothing I disagree with here. Had no clue EJ Nduka had been released. Has a real star look. I get skeptical of companies picking up that sort of talent though, because you have to wonder why WWE let them go in the first place.

I don’t know where the game changing money would come from. DAZN hasn’t been in the best place from reports, but they break bank a lot. Court has been able to sweet talk some pretty amazing things out of people. If he could loosen a bit of cash to get some top guys to do a big thing and get the eyeballs, all their streams benefit.

I spend a couple of morning coffees yesterday fantasy booking ROH with Danielson, Punk and Brock Lesnar involved. Became the #2 promotion instantly. Didn’t really need Brock, but it was gravy. They do have some great assets.

I'm pretty sure that MLW is done with DAZN and going forward streaming any ppvs on Fite. I believe that Vice is going to get exclusive rights in USA but I may be wrong, perhaps they stay on beIN Sports.

Just double checked and they are in DAZN in Brazil.

Also, check out the Henderson Variety youtube channel. some cool bite sized goodies.

That channel is amazing.

Dave Meltzer is now feuding with Zelina Vega. Apparently he’s upset because Zelina called out “dirt sheet writers” and Dave called her “fucking stupid” because she didn’t waste her time and specify which writers, like she owes him that. He’s fucking cooked.

According to Don Muraco, Terry Funk is on assisted living and suffering from dementia.


:(

Jimmy Uso got busted last night for his 1000th DUI

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WWE's Jimmy Uso Arrested For DUI Again, Cops Say Wrestler Blew A .205<a href="https://t.co/jNcxTTdMvw">https://t.co/jNcxTTdMvw</a></p>&mdash; TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TMZ_Sports/status/1412402951969181698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

damn :(

In a ton of pain as well. Probably better off having Assisted Suicide. I hate seeing people suffer.

His last match was less than 4 years ago which is insane.

I can imagine how out of control Terry Funk with demintia in assisted living could be. Those poor nurses.

And of course poor Terry. Demintia is terrible.

Jimmy uso is done. Fuck that guy.

Jey's ok.

Naturally there are already Twitter arguments breaking out with people claiming you can't possibly be mad at Jimmy Uso for having an addiction.

I mean obviously he needs help and I hope he gets it. But drunk driving kills roughly 30 in the US per day and injures 300,000 per year. You can absolutely be mad at the guy, especially if you know someone who has been a victim of this behavior.

Seriously. I got a DUI way back when and I deserved every bit of flak I caught for it.