AJ Styles Believes Triple H Is Trying To Make Pro Wrestling Bigger

Ahead of his in-ring debut with Pro Wrestling NOAH, AJ Styles is singing the praises of his boss, Triple H.

SmackDown Superstar AJ Styles participated in today’s Nippon Budokan Tournament Press Conference. When asked about what being able to compete in NOAH this weekend means for the current state of WWE, Styles said Triple H is trying to show that they are willing to work with other companies to make pro wrestling bigger than ever.

“I think this is showing the Triple H era of what WWE is all about,” AJ Styles. “Because I’m not the only one that is wrestling in Japan tomorrow night. IYO SKY is also wrestling along with myself, and that just goes to show what Triple H is trying to bring throughout the world and WWE, whether it be in NOAH or somewhere else.

“Having the opportunity to wrestle there is big for everybody, and it just shows how we were willing and able to work together so that we all can make pro wrestling as big as we possibly can.”

Styles competed against Noamichi Marufuji on July 13th at Destination 2024.

WWE touts historic numbers for Money in the Bank premium live event

 

WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, today announced that Money In The Bank 2024, which featured the surprise announcement of WWE Superstar John Cena's retirement in 2025, became the highest-grossing WWE arena event in Canada in company history.

In addition to the record-setting weekend, WrestleMania XL: Behind the Curtain has amassed more than 2.3 million total viewers since its July 3 debut on WWE’s YouTube channel. The documentary takes viewers behind the scenes of the chaotic build to WrestleMania XL and features interviews with Dwayne Johnson, Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and WWE Chief Content Officer Paul Levesque.

"Weekends that bring visitors en masse to our host cities play an important part in our planning process,” said WWE President Nick Khan. “The results are a testament to our Superstars, our creative team led by Paul Levesque, our media & production team led by Lee Fitting and, most importantly, our fans who both attended and created our massive viewership."

Money In The Bank highlights include:

GATE: Money In The Bank 2024 became the highest-grossing WWE arena event in Canada in company history.

ATTENDANCE: More than 45,000 fans attended the four events running Thursday to Sunday, including the debut of WWE Superstar Sami Zayn’s comedy show, Sami Zayn & Friends Do Toronto, in addition to Friday Night SmackDown, Money In The Bank and NXT Heatwave at Scotiabank Arena.

VIEWERSHIP: Saturday’s show became the most-watched Money In The Bank of all time, with viewership up 46 percent from last year’s record-setting number.

JOHN CENA: WWE Superstar John Cena made international news with his announcement that he will retire from in-ring action following The Last Time Is Now John Cena Farewell Tour in 2025.

MERCHANDISE: In partnership with Fanatics, merchandise sales were up from last year’s record-setting number, with the Canadian-themed Money In The Bank briefcase grabbing the top spot as the best-selling item of the weekend.

FAN HOSPITALITY: Money In The Bank weekend set a revenue record for fan experience packages offered by exclusive partner On Location.

SOCIAL: Cena’s retirement announcement amassed more than 65 million social media views in the first 24 hours, making it WWE’s most-viewed social segment since WrestleMania XL.

Stephanie, Aurora, Murphy, and Vaughn

John Cena Announces Retirement Tour, Wrestlemania 2025 Will His Last Match

John Cena has done the unthinkable.

The former 16-time world champion made a surprise appearance at this evening’s Money In The Bank premium live event in Canada, where he received a hero’s welcome. Cena got on the mic and told the WWE Universe that was officially retiring from WWE after two decades. He added that the great Canadian fan base always shows up when wrestling is at its hottest, and WWE is hotter than ever.

Cena then revealed his plan for retirement, stating that he will be at the Raw premiere on Netflix, he’ll compete at the 2025 Royal Rumble, the 2025 Elimination Chamber, and at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas. However, those events will be his last, with the indication being that Mania 41 will be his final match. To end his speech, Cena challenged any future WWE superstar to step up to the plate, because “The Last Time Is Now.”

Triple H Explains WWE's Unique Approach: "We’re a Movie About a Sport"

In an interview with The Pat McAfee Show, Paul 'Triple H' Levesque shared his perspective on WWE, emphasizing that WWE is not a sport but a "movie about a sport."

He stated: “Our fanbase is so ravenous for (content). There is nothing else that episodically airs. I say this a lot; we’re not a sport. We’re a movie about a sport or a TV show about a sport. The interest of all the other things happening are just as great as what happens in the ring. People are so interested, in not only those storylines, but who are the real people behind those storylines? The drama behind it. If you’re younger or want to buy into it that much, the drama of the storylines. If you’re in a different mindset, the drama of what is happening behind the scenes. ‘Is that guy leaving? Has he signed a contract? Is he going to stay? I heard he has problems with management, they’re trying to restrict his style.’ Whatever your mindset is, you can go there and follow up with it on a regular basis. The content is easy to watch and easy to understand. You can sit on a bus or train and watch clips.”

Sika Anoaʻi, One Half of The Wild Samoans and Father of Roman Reigns Passes Away Aged 79

Legendary wrestler Leati Sika Amituana'i Anoaʻi, known to fans as Sika, has passed away.

Sika, along with his brother Afa, was a dominant force in tag team wrestling. The Wild Samoans, as they were known, captured the WWF Tag Team Championship three times. Their ferocity and innovative moves left a lasting impact on the sport. Sika's legacy extends beyond the ring. He was the father of WWE superstars Roman Reigns and the late Rosey.

Sika's contributions to wrestling were recognized in 2007 when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of The Wild Samoans.

One of Sika Anoa’i’s nephews, Jahrus Anoa’i, took to his Instagram to share the sad news. He noted that Sika had passed away on June 25th. He wrote a touching message about the legacy of the WWE Hall of Famer, one that will surely bring a tear to anyone’s eye.

"It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of former Hall of Famer, Polaivao Leati Sika Anoa’i. He passed away peacefully on June 25th. Sika was a celebrated figure whose contributions and legacy have left an indelible mark. His memory will live on through his achievements and the many lives he touched.

He was many things: a hard-working father, a caring brother, a supportive uncle, and a proud grandfather. He was a cherished friend to many, a loving family member whose warmth and kindness knew no bounds, and an inspiration to countless individuals. His legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations, reminding us of the impact one person’s life can have on so many. Rest in love, Uncle Sika 🤍🕊️ #wildsamoans #halloffamer #sikaanoai"

TV ratings an outdated way of measuring success in wrestling

On Friday, it was revealed that AEW Dynamite drew a record-low viewing. According to Programming Insider, the flagship show drew 502,000 viewers, the lowest-ever rating for a "non-preempted" show in Dynamite history.

Fightful Select reported that AEW isn't panicking. 

"Fightful Select spoke with AEW sources about their feelings on the number and how they rationalized it. We were told that the typical lead-in for AEW, Big Bang Theory, usually does a demo number of 200-250k for their final quarter-hour. This week's lead-in was Black Panther, which they said landed at under 85k in the demo for the final quarter-hour, a significant drop-off. They believe that the missing people were the lead in watchers that didn't exist this week."

Regardless of the reasoning, judging a wrestling show's success based on live television viewers is an antiquated mindset. AEW also airs via Triller TV. Millions of people worldwide consume the show via the streaming platform, either live or on demand. Those numbers aren't part of the rating data and thus show a skewed metric.

Of course, live television viewers within the United States are important when negotiating a new deal due to the money on offer. Tony Khan must show his programming can draw and retain viewers if he wants to increase revenue. 

Nevertheless, WWE's imminent move to Netflix shows how little single-country metrics matter. WWE's chief content officer, Paul Levesque, better known as "Triple H," understands that the move will open programming to a worldwide audience without additional cable packages.

Khan likely has similar views. He has previously discussed how well AEW does in Europe and other parts of the world. While that argument will have no value to his contract discussions with Warner Brothers Discovery, it is a sign of the changing media landscape. AEW could eventually join a streaming giant like Amazon Prime to escape the consistent battle for live-viewer ratings.

As viewers' consumption habits continue to change, wrestling fans, analysts and critics must follow suit. Live television isn't as ubiquitous as it once was. Streaming is now king. Half a million viewers, with a changed lead-in, is still a strong number. Factor in worldwide viewers, and AEW likely broke the 1 million mark.

It won't happen soon, but AEW must follow WWE's lead and sign with a streaming giant. They will only escape the constant criticism for a metric that tells less than half the full story. 

source: yardbarker.com

Triple H Discusses His Relationship With CM Punk

The relationship between CM Punk (real name Phil Brooks) and Paul "Triple H" Levesque has been similar to that of a rollercoaster, with a notable low occurring in the years leading up to Punk's sudden exit from WWE in January 2014. Fast forward to 2024, Punk and Levesque are now riding a high. Following Punk's surprise appearance at WWE Clash at the Castle, Levesque spoke about the evolution of their relationship during the premium live event's post-show press conference.

"We saw eye-to-eye [back then], but it was angry eye-to-eye," Levesque said. "It was opposition eye-to-eye. I cannot tell you how happy I am to have him back. I cannot tell you how exciting it is, for me, to see the Phil Brooks that I wanted to see then. And while maybe my efforts to get that were taken wrong, and it's what led to friction, I always knew the Phil Brooks that I see today was inside there. He just couldn't express it in the right way. As much as [WWE] has changed, he has changed, and I have gotta tell you, it's amazing. I am excited for the future, and I'm excited to not just work with him, but to be around him. He's a pleasure to be around in the locker room. He's a pleasure to be around as a performer."

As Punk continues to contribute to WWE on-screen, Levesque pointed out that he also makes a backstage effort to help the talents surrounding him as well. Punk has specifically been an asset to the "WWE NXT" locker room, with NXT Champion Trick Williams previously describing him as a "mentor" that's open to sharing his knowledge to anyone who approaches him.

While currently recovering from a torn triceps, Punk has made sporadic appearances on WWE television, most of which have been tied to his ongoing rivalry with Drew McIntyre. His latest outing at WWE Clash at the Castle saw him yet again cost McIntyre the World Heavyweight Championship.

Away from Vince McMahon, Triple H Books Outstanding Clash at the Castle

Women-led ‘WWE NXT’ episode posts highest viewership figure since January

World Wrestling Entertainment’s NXT once again scored a strong viewership number.

Tuesday, June 4th’s episode of WWE’s proving ground brand drew its highest P2+ viewership since early January of this year.

A week after rapper Sexxy Red appeared on the brand, NXT’s audience tuned in in droves. According to Wrestlenomics, the episode had an average of 768,000 viewers and a P18-49 rating of 0.22.

On Tuesday night, the show had a women-heavy lineup, a common occurrence dating back to 2014 but one that clearly led the way throughout. TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace, who will wrestle Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women’s Championship at NXT Battleground in Las Vegas, led off the show with a match that Perez made sure to be seated for. Four of the five scheduled Tuesday night show matches featured women’s superstars. NXT has helped bring along a cavalcade of stars over the past decade, including WWE Women’s Champion Bayley, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, current WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, and a host of others. That trend is sure to continue with the bounty of talented women that the NXT brand currently holds onto.

The show has gone through some transition in 2024, so ratings have fluctuated a bit over the past few months. They’ve hit a floor as low as 564,000 in the last few months and have mostly stayed within the 600,000-660,000 range. This increase follows another increase week-to-week last week, when the show scored 703,000 viewers, up from 654,000 during May 21st’s episode.

As NXT prepares for its move to the CW Network, they could be in store for another hot summer on the brand. And if the last two weeks are any indication, they’re starting to get people’s attention.

[Data cited from Wrestlenomics Patreon]

Suit Against Vince McMahon Paused At Justice Department's Request

The woman accusing Vince McMahon of sexual misconduct agreed to pause her lawsuit against the former WWE CEO after a request from the Justice Department, her attorney told ABC News on Thursday.

Janel Grant, a former WWE employee, alleged in a 67-page suit filed in January that McMahon forced her into a sexual relationship in order for her to keep her job and passed around pornographic content of her to other men at the company.

"Ms. Grant has consented to a request by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York to stay her case against Mr. McMahon, WWE and Mr. [John] Laurinaitis, pursuant to a pending non-public investigation," Ann Callis, Grant's attorney, said in a statement to ABC News. "We will cooperate with all appropriate next steps."

Grant also accused McMahon of inflicting "psychological torture and physical violence" while making "depraved sexual demands." McMahon is accused of trafficking Grant to other WWE employees. The lawsuit, which also named former WWE executive John Laurinaitis, included graphic descriptions of alleged sexual encounters along with explicit text messages.

source: si.com

WWE Takes Jerry “The King” Lawler Off The Air After 30-Plus Years

The WWE has declined to renew its contract with Hall of Fame wrestler and broadcaster Jerry “The King” Lawler.

Lawler joined the WWF (which later became the WWE) as a commentator in 1992, working on Superstars. In the early ’90s, he defeated Bret Hart and was named “Undisputed King of the World Wrestling Federation.” While he continued to wrestle, Lawler was a broadcaster for Raw, SmackDown! and WWE pay-per-views until 2016.

Lawler has not been been featured on a WWE TV broadcast for over a year, but he still has a legends deal that allows him to work with the organization on merch and other licensing. Despite his departure from the broadcast team, Lawler is said to still have a great relationship with the company. Indeed, he was backstage at SmackDown in Memphis in March.

He is known for his feud with comedian Andy Kaufman, and together they created one of the most memorable early moments of Late Night with David Letterman. The NBC late-nighter was about eight months old when comic, performance artist and then-Taxi star Kaufman was a guest, along with Lawler. Kaufman had made waves by wrestling women until April 1982, when he took on veteran his first male opponent, then-pro grappler Lawler, who clobbered him in the ring.

Arriving on the Late Night set with a neck brace, Kaufman sat next to Lawler, and things went fine — for a while. Lawler drew boos as he began to bad-mouth the comic. Kaufman demanded an apology from Lawler, who was having none of that. Eventually, Kaufman said, “I could have sued you for everything you’re worth, and I didn’t because I’m not that kind of a guy.” Lawler seized on that, saying, “What kind of a guy are you?” As Letterman prepared to go to commercial, Lawler stood up and slapped Kaufman across the face, knocking him over in his chair.

Seventeen years later, Lawler portrayed himself in the 1999’s Man on the Moon, in which Jim Carrey played Kaufman.

In September 2012, Lawler had a heart attack at the announcer’s table and was administered CPR, with updates being given throughout the broadcast. He was rushed to the hospital where he underwent an angioplasty. Remarkably, despite a slow recovery, the 60-something Lawler eventually returned to both broadcasting and the ring for the WWE.
source: deadline.com