USA Network scored the best Second Quarter cable TV ratings ever, according to a press release the company issued. USA averaged 3.17 million viewers in prime time TV during the quarter (April - June) and 1.47 million viewers aged 25-54.
USA claimed it was the first time any cable channel averaged over 3.0 million total viewers in a Second Quarter. In the press release, USA mainly credited other series beside WWE Raw for the ratings victory.
USA was locked in a tight race with TNT for the second quarter ratings battle after TNT's five-week coverage of the NBA Playoffs. USA won among adults 18-49 by a slim 3.4 percent difference.
WWE executive Donna Goldsmith said earlier this month that USA called up WWE to help put them over the top against TNT. USA pointed out in their press release that WWE's Raw ratings in June were a major factor in the Second Quarter victory.
source: pwtorch.com
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June 30, 2009
USA Delivers Best 2Q Ever on Cable, with Help From WWE
Results of the Mini-Draft
Donald Trump approved a 15 Superstar trade among the three brands before he was fired last week. The trades are as follows.
Raw: Gail Kim, Alicia Fox, Jack Swagger, Evan Bourne and Mark Henry.
Smackdown: Matt Hardy, Finlay, David Hart Smith, Tyson Kidd and Natalya.
ECW: Shelton Benjamin, Goldust, William Regal and The Bella Twins.
This Day in Wrestling History
Gail Kim wins the WWE Women's Title in a Battle Royal upon her debut in WWE. She would later be released from the company a year later in November of 2004.
June 30, 2003
June 29, 2009
Raw Results: The Animal's Kingdom
One week after purchasing Monday Night Raw back from Donald Trump, Mr. McMahon had two shocking announcements for the WWE Universe. First, the WWE Chairman announced that he would be shaking things up by way of a 15-Superstar trade originally set into motion by former Raw owner Donald Trump, that would see five new ring warriors brought to the Raw roster. Even more shocking, McMahon revealed that the show would henceforth have a series of “special guest hosts,” starting that very night with The Animal, Batista. Full results.
source: wwe.com
Q&A with Andrew Whitaker - WWE President International
From an interview with Indiantelevision.com:
How do you view competition like TNA which airs on another sports channel?
All forms of entertainment are competition for WWE as we compete for the public's attention and entertainment dollar. For any sports or entertainment company, whether you are Manchester United, U2 or WWE, the biggest concern is the enormous proliferation of content in the market.
However, WWE is a significant force within entertainment and pop culture. Within our specific entertainment genre, we clearly are the industry leader. While TNA is pro-wrestling, WWE is entertainment.
In terms of getting in fans at on ground events and driving pay-per-view buys, who are your top three performers at the moment?
The great thing about WWE Superstars and Divas is that they each hold a different appeal for different fans. While one fan will follow Rey Mysterio or John Cena, another will be a Jeff Hardy supporter. WWE offers something for everyone and that diversity comes to life at live events just by observing the amount of different WWE Superstar signs that are being held and merchandise worn by the fans...More?
New Pro Wrestling Documentary - 'Hard Knocks'
Hard Knocks is a 40 minute documentary on Professional Wrestling featuring stars from the WWE, TNA and the international independent circuit. Production began in October 2008 in the United Kingdom, with photography taking place in London, Manchester, Portsmouth and across the Southwest. Post-production was completed on 1st June 2009. The film is due to be screened at numerous prestigious film festivals in the UK, The USA, Canada and Europe, commencing September 2009. All festival dates are to be announced over the coming months via the official Hard Knocks website:
June 28, 2009
The Bash Results
Dark Match
R-Truth defeated Shelton Benjamin
ECW Championship Scramble Match
Winner: Tommy Dreamer
Intercontinental Championship vs. Mask: Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio
Winner: Rey Mysterio - New Intercontinental Champion
The Great Khali vs. Dolph Ziggler
Winner: Dolph Ziggler with help from a returning Kane
Unified Tag Team Champions Carlito & Primo vs. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase
Teddy Long adds the tag team of Edge and Chris Jericho to the match.
Winners: Edge & Chris Jericho - New Unified Tag Team Champions
Women's Champion Melina vs. Michelle McCool
Winner: Michelle McCool - New Women's Champion
World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy
Winner: Jeff Hardy by DQ; CM Punk retains the title
John Cena vs. The Miz
Winner: John Cena
WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Triple H (Three Stages of Hell)
First Fall: Orton by DQ
Second Fall: Triple H
Third Fall: Orton
Winner: Randy Orton(c)
Lilian Quits WWE
From her official website:
"I hope all of you are doing well! I am writing to address the situation in which WWE is looking for a Female Ring Announcer/Singer. The truth of the matter is that they are looking for someone new because I have given them my notice that I will be leaving at the end of my contract this year. It is with a heavy heart that I have made this decision because WWE has been my family from day one and you, the WWE Universe have always been incredible to me. The fact is that I am getting married later this year and have decided to enter into a new phase of my life but I will truly miss all of you and the WWE tremendously."
