Goldberg Saves Raw
The most recent 10 weeks of Raw ratings compared to previous years
The return of Bill Goldberg propelled Raw last night to it’s best rating since the start of the NFL season. An average of 3.129 million viewers watched the show, which was the best number since August 29th.
The show opened strong, at 3.167 million viewers and basically stayed steady for the whole show with 3.106 million in the second hour and 3.118 million viewers for the third. Holding off Goldberg until the main event segment worked well as it was the first time since March 14th that Raw increased in viewership from hour two to hour three.
The show was third for the night on cable, behind the NFL game, an MLB playoff game and The O’Reilly factor. In the 18-49 demo, it was number two behind the NFL, with hourly ratings of 1.17, 1.17 and 1.23.
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THE ROUND-UP
The latest from the F4W Staff
NEWS
TNA allegedly owes more money as another lawsuit unearthed
Goldberg’s return to WWE helps boost Raw ratings
Mick Foley: Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte to main event WWE Hell in a Cell
WWE Raw video highlights: Goldberg returns to WWE
WWE Raw live results: Goldberg makes his return
Goldberg returns to WWE and accepts Brock Lesnar’s challenge
Lack of new content and insights hurt new Brock Lesnar WWE DVD
AUDIO
FREE WOR! Return of Goldberg to WWE, GSP and UFC, more! 10/18
FREE WOL! Del Rio and Paige, GSP leaves UFC, Goldberg to Raw, more! 10/17
WOR: Del Rio and Paige engaged, TNA trouble, Goldberg and WWE, more! 10/17
B&V: Ring of Honor and NWA World Championship Wrestling from 30 years ago! 10/16
Figure Four Weekly 10/10/2016: New details emerge in WWE concussion lawsuit filing – On Friday (October 7th), WWE filed a reply in support of their motion to dismiss Vito LoGrasso and Evan Singleton’s concussion-focused lawsuit. In terms of new information, the most newsworthy passages concern the deposition of Vince McMahon, which has otherwise been sealed from public view… Subscribers click here to continue reading.
F4W YouTube Page: Tons of clips and full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!
Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Oct 17, 2016: Details on the return of Goldberg to WWE, the return of Ronda Rousey to action in UFC, more.
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 Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to [email protected].
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WON BACK ISSUE:,WON September 20, 1999: Eric Bischoff fired from WCW, Beyond the Mat review, more – Although wrestlers were singing “Ding, Dong, the Witch is dead,” Friday night in Baltimore, when the word of Eric Bischoff’s re-assignment within Turner (read that as a nice way of saying firing) reached the wrestlers, once the initial happiness wore off and reality set in, the reality is little has changed… Subscribers click here to continue reading.
Tuesday News Update
The Death of WCW by Bryan Alvarez and RD Reynolds is now available as an audiobook through Amazon.com and Audible. Bryan did the narration for the book and it runs almost fifteen hours, so grab yours today!
The opportunity of a lifetime for James Ellsworth tonight on Smackdown Live
Granny’s favorite Empire member, Lance Storm, has a new podcast out today. It’s called Killing the Town. Storm and Cyrus discuss the return of Goldberg in the first episode. It is also available on iTunes.
Goldberg tweeted a thank you to the fans for the reaction he got on Raw last night and said he was humbled by the response.
WWE
With storyline tensions between Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho increasing on last night’s Raw, it was announced that Owens vs. Jericho vs. Seth Rollins will main event next week’s show.
AJ Styles defending his WWE World Championship against James Ellsworth is the most hyped thing for tonight’s SmackDown. Alexa Bliss vs. Naomi and Baron Corbin vs. Jack Swagger are also scheduled for the show.
Raw has officially accepted SmackDown’s challenge to three traditional Survivor Series tag team matches at the November pay-per-view.
New Goldberg merchandise has been added to WWE Shop. James Ellsworth also has a new shirt.
Speaking of Jimmy Ellsworth, here he’s interviewed by CBS Boston about becoming the WWE’s most unlikely new star.
E!’s article about Paige and Alberto Del Rio’s engagement notes that their relationship will be featured on the next season of Total Divas.
PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING
Adam Cole vs. Will Ospreay was announced by PROGRESS Wrestling for their show on December 11th in Sheffield.
Wrestling author Paul O’Brien shows you how to accidentally offend five WWE talents in just five minutes.
Germany’s wXw announced the termination of their working agreement with Shane Strickland (Killshot in Lucha Underground). He was part of their tag team champions with David Starr and with the announcement, the titles will be on the line in a TLC match at their show this Saturday. (Thanks to Markus Gronemann)
UFC / MMA
Tickets for UFC 206: Cormier vs Johnson 2, Saturday, Dec 10 – Toronto, Canada go are on sale now. UFC Fight Club pre-sale started today. Newsletter pre-sale starts tomorrow, Oct 19 at 10am ET / Password: UFCCAN – Public on-sale starts Thu Oct 20 at 10am ET. Buy tickets.
Ariel Helwani reported that the UFC is laying off a significant amount of employees. MMAJunkie revealed a number of the names being let go.
VARIETY
The Asbury Park Press’ pop culture podcast had a few minutes with A.J. Styles last week to promote an upcoming SmackDown at the Prudential Center. He talked about being in the opening match of No Mercy, exceeding others’ expectations in WWE and how the locker room has surprised him. (Interview with Styles begins at 6:15.)
RESULTS: FIST Combat from 10/14 Appleton Grill Ballroom in Watsonville CA. Attendance: 432, Guererro Azteca & Citizen X ended in a double count out, Shawn Gunn d. The Chad, Kaka Meng & Dave Wasted d. Moondog Beast & Necrosiss, Mantiz Lee d. El Sancho & Cachcalliz, Seabass & “Hard Knox” Ryan Ash d. Jheri Giggalo & R 2 Cool. FIST’s next show is Fri 10/21 in Santa Cruz at VFW then 11/5 at Garfield Park Community Center.
Former TNA Impact star Nick “Magnus” Aldis joined the Jordan Garber NOW podcast on Tuesday, October 11, 2016. In this interview Magnus discusses starting out in England, getting signed by TNA and his experiences with the company, the state of TNA as well as Global Force Wrestling. He did this interview during the recent CWE tour, which you can check out CWE by visiting their website. The program is available via vocnation.com by clicking on the “On Demand” or “2016 Archives” tab. On Leaving TNA: “I have way too much respect for anybody there. It’s no secret at this point that my departure from there was because of money. But also because of a failed relationship with the guy in charge and that is much my fault as it is his fault.”
PRIME Wrestling “Wrestlelution Anthology” Official Trailer Released – Six Discs, 20 Hours, Nearly 100 Stars! – Order Now At Joe-Dombrowski.com! Featuring: Johnny Gargano, M-Dogg Matt Cross (aka Lucha Underground’s Son of Havoc), Kevin Nash, Rhino, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, Raven, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Al Snow, Brodie “Luke Harper” Lee, Zach Gowen, Paul London, Jimmy Jacobs, Petey Williams, Marti Belle, Ashley “Madison Rayne” Lane, Portia Perez, Hailey Hatred, Veda Scott, Josh Prohibition, Gregory Iron, Krimson, Jason Bane, Marion Fontaine, Mark Andrews, King Kong Bundy, Dave & Jake Crist and so many more! View the official trailer here.
The jabroni in the red pants who wrestled Braun Strowman last night, is named Johnny Proof. He’s the local champion for the New Era Wrestling promotion. (thanks to Anthony Sullivan). The red haired goofball from last Monday night, portraying Steve Splash, is Santa Cruz wrestler Seabass, aka stand up comedian Mikey G.
RESULTS: FALL BRAWL IN GREEKTOWN! Sunday, October 16: Vaughn Vertigo def. Matt Angel, Mathieu St. Jacques def. Sonny Kiss, Thomas Dubois def. Phil Atlas, Movado & Alex Daniels in a Fatal Four Way, Alexia Nicole def Rosemary, Space Monkey def. Jaka by DQ, Gabriel Fuerza def. Jock Samson w/Magnum CK John Atlas def. Bill Collier to win the Greektown Cup EFYBO (Mike Draztik & Angel Ortiz) def. The Fraternity (Trent Gibson & Channing Decker).
Here is an interview with Charlotte for “Let’s Talk Live” on News Channel 8 in Washington, D.C. The interview focused primarily on WWE’s “More Than Pink” campaign with the Susan G. Komen Foundation. But they did talk about Hell In A Cell as well.
Conor McGregor’s BJJ training partner Dillon Danis made his SR debut on Submission Radio. When it comes to retirement rumours Danis believes McGregor will keep fighting even thought he thinks Conor has options “He’s going to go down as the best fighter probably in history. So he could do whatever he wants, really. But yeah, I see him fighting. I mean, he already said that he really wants to do the trilogy with Nate. He said that on record, so he probably does have that fight and stuff. But who knows. Maybe he wants to fight Mayweather, stuff like that. There’s a lot of options for him. That’s the good thing about him, you know, he has so many options”
FIST Combat professional wrestling from Santa Cruz will host its final outdoor show of the year, this Friday, October 21. Doors at 730pm, VFW Post 7263, 2259 7th Ave Santa Cruz. $10 kids, $15 adults, $25 front row. Tickets only available at the door.
In a special showcase match, Shane Douglas challenges Local favorite Cody Deaner for the vacant PWEclipse Heavy Weight Title on October 23rd.
CWI Wrestling on Saturday, November 19 from the Caledonia Arena. 100 Haddington Street, Caledonia, Ontario N3W 2H2. Confirmed: Nasty Boys will be defending their Tag Team Championships. Stay posted to this event for a chance to win tickets for you and your friends!
FIST Combat professional wrestling from Santa Cruz on Saturday 11/5 will be their biggest show ever, as they present Donald J. Trump vs. Hillary Clinton, just days before the election. MAIN EVENT: “Mr Athletic: Jeff Cobb vs “Real Deal” Karl Fredricks. Also: Seabass & Desi De Rata vs Jheri Giggalo & Samara, The Classic Connection, Chocolate Papi, El Guerrero, Nicky Savage, and more. This is their first event at the new venue. 8pm ALL AGES, Garfield Park Community Center, 111 Erret Circle Santa Cruz CA, $10 kinds under 16/UCSC Students w/ID, $15 gen admission, $25 front row. Tickets on sale now!
Today in Wrestling History (10/18): James Storm wins TNA Title; Team 3-D wins IWGP tag Team Titles
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