Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
We noted before that WWE is going ahead with a DVD on Owen Hart, even though Martha Hart is not supporting it.
WWE also discussed a 2016 Hall of Fame induction for Owen but Martha obviously wouldn’t support it. They could still do it but many feel it’s not worth the controversy if Owen’s widow isn’t supporting it.
For what it’s worth, newly released advertising for several upcoming WWE live events is listing Sheamus as the WWE Intercontinental Champion.
As noted, WWE announced this week that the vacant Intercontinental title will be decided at the Elimination Chamber WWE Network special on Sunday, May 31st. Just a reminder that the WWE Network is free this month for new subscribers. You can subscribe to the WWE Network by clicking here and catch the WWE Payback pay-per-view this Sunday, and Elimination Chamber on May 31st.Possible WWE Intercontinental Title Spoiler
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
We noted before that the author working with Bob Backlund recently posted a note from Backlund, where the WWE Hall of Famer claims reports about him interrupting Greg Gagne’s eulogy for his father Verne Gagne are false. Former AWA announcer Mick Karch wrote the following on Facebook in response to claims that the original story was made up:
“If you weren’t there, it is pretty absurd to say it didn’t go down as reported, even if you’re a fan of Backlund (and there is nothing wrong with that). I will say one more time, Greg Gagne was wrapping up his eulogy for Verne when Backlund stood up, made some shouting references to representing WWE, and then told Greg, `Don’t talk back to me!’ He smiled and sat back down. Greg’s response was, `Who was that?’ Someone said, `Bob Backlund,’ and Greg responded, ‘Who let him in here.’ Backlund hadn’t just spoken the words, he was shouting as if he was cutting a promo from his Mr. Backlund days.”
Thanks to Jordan Baize for the following WWE Main Event spoilers from tonight’s tapings in Evansville, Indiana: Taped 5/12/15
* Tamina Snuka and Naomi defeated Alicia Fox and Natalya
* The Prime Time Players defeated Los Matadores in a quick match. PTP came out dressed as bullfighters
* Erick Rowan and Luke Harper defeated Zack Ryder and Jimmy Uso when Rowan hit Ryder with a sitdown powerbomb
* Stardust vs. Dolph Ziggler is next. Ziggler gets the win with a Zig Zag. This was said to be a very good match
Source: PWInsider Elite
TNA President Dixie Carter held a meeting at this past weekend’s Impact Wrestling tapings and basically told the talents not to believe what they read on wrestling websites about the ratings and viewership being down.
Dixie claimed that there is ratings information that websites aren’t aware of that she and TNA are privy to. She claimed that when websites publish TNA ratings data, we’re not publishing them with the West Coast numbers included but we post the data that comes from Nielsen and we do include the overall viewership with numbers for the replay. Dixie also pointed out that websites don’t report on the +.3 or +.7 DVR numbers as some fans watch throughout the week.
Dixie instructed the roster to pay no mind to ratings reports because the numbers are better than what’s actually being released.
As noted, WWE had a live event scheduled on May 31st at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC, which would have been on the same day as the newly announced Elimination Chamber special at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, TX. John Cena and Rusev were advertised for the Greenville show.
WWE has postponed the Greenville show, which will now be a Monday Night RAW event on November 16th. Online ticket purchases will be refunded to the cards with which they were purchased, while tickets purchased at the box office or other locations can be exchanged at the point of purchase for the RAW show.
Just a reminder that the WWE Network is free this month for new subscribers. You can subscribe to the WWE Network by clicking here and catch the WWE Payback pay-per-view this Sunday, and the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view on May 31st.
Everyone knew it was going to be a huge show, but the long awaited Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao super fight ended up surpassing even most expectations.
The pay-per-view shattered previous PPV records with 4.4 million buys for the welterweight championship bout. HBO and Showtime officials also said that the event generated well over $400 million in television revenue, another record.
The previous PPV record was 2.48 million buys, set by Mayweather in 2007 in a fight with boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya. The previous PPV revenue record was Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Floyd Mayweather in 2013, with over $150 million.
According to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, the event more than tripled the previous live gate record by bringing in over $72 million. The old record was $20 million for a Mayweather/Alvarez fight.
Mayweather said after his win that he’d relinquish his championships, and likely finish up his boxing career in September. Manny Pacquiao would go on to have shoulder surgery.
WWE has confirmed that the newly vacant WWE Intercontinental Title and the WWE Tag Team Titles will be decided inside the Elimination Chamber at the WWE Network exclusive pay-per-view with the same name on May 31st in Corpus Christi, Texas.
WWE’s website has also confirmed that the United States Title and the WWE World Heavyweight Title will be defended at Elimination Chamber but not inside the structure.
We noted before that WWE will also be running a live event in Greenville, South Carolina that night with Rusev, John Cena and others advertised. That event starts at 1pm EST so technically they could get some of the top Superstars to Texas for the pay-per-view. WWE’s website has updated their listings for each show and Cena, Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Kane, Randy Orton and Seth Rollins are advertised for Elimination Chamber while Cena, Rusev, The New Day, Tyson Kidd, Cesaro, Luke Harper and King Barrett are advertised for the live event in South Carolina.
