WWE to Hold Focus Group After String of Low Ratings

After a string of low ratings in the last few weeks, WWE has hired Focus Pointe Global to hold a focus group in Santa Monica, California in attempts to figure out what people do and don't like about wrestling. The study will be held for two hours and all participants will be paid $85. This is something that TNA did not long ago, except they held in it Philadelphia and there was a huge contention of fans missing the "ECW era" of the 1990s, explaining the brief revival of ECW in the company in August.

source: wrestling observer newsletter

Raw Guest Star Announced, Another Name Pulled

WWE.com is advertising that actor Paul Reubens, best known as Pee-Wee Herman, will guest star on the November 1st edition of WWE Raw. Additionally, WWE has removed Danny McBride of "Eastbound and Down" fame as the guest star of the October 11th edition of Raw.

source: wrestlezone.com

The Latest on Matt Hardy's WWE Status

The Wrestling Observer is reporting that Matt Hardy and WWE continue to be at a stalemate where his status is concerned.

WWE, on the one hand, wants Matt Hardy to address the issues he has, but Hardy, on the other hand, does not. Hardy reportedly continues to push for his release from WWE, but the company does not want to grant it so that he doesn't end up going to to work for TNA.

Sources are claiming that Hardy's situation has slipped under the radar as of late due to WWE's current hectic touring schedule. However, his situation is reportedly set to be addressed after this Sunday's Hell in a Cell PPV.

This Day in Wrestling History

WWF(E) Intercontinental Champion Pat Patterson defeats WWF(E) World Champion Bob Backlund via disqualification in Baltimore, Maryland. Patterson hit Backlund with brass knucks, unseen by the referee, and Patterson was about to score the pin when Arnold Skaaland ran in and broke up the cover, getting Backlund disqualified.
September 29, 1979

Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard defeated Rick Morton & Robert Gibson for the NWA World Tag Team title.
September 29, 1987

Ric Flair officially disbands the Four Horsemen.
September 29, 1997

Rob Van Dam defeated Christian for the WWE Intercontinental title.
September 29, 2003

WWE NXT Results: The Race Before the Vote

Week Four results:

* NXT Rookie Diva Challenge: Kaitlyn won the Wheelbarrow Race
* NXT Rookie Diva Challenge: A.J. won Diss the Diva

NXT Rookie Diva Records:

* A.J.: Challenge wins: 3, Win/Loss record: 2-1
* Aksana: Challenge wins: 0, Win/Loss record: 0-2
* Jamie: Challenge wins: 1, Win/Loss record: 2-0
* Kaitlyn: Challenge wins: 2, Win/Loss record: 1-1
* Maxine: Challenge wins: 0, Win/Loss record: 0-2
* Naomi: Challenge wins: 2, Win/Loss record: 2-0

It was announced on tonight's show that WWE NXT would be moving to wwe.com. Full results.

source: wwe.com

Raw's TV Ratings Fall Again

Last night's 9/27 Monday Night Raw did a 2.7 cable rating. This is a drop from last week's 2.8 rating. The show went head-to-head with a Packers/Bears game that ended up being the fifth most watched event ever in cable history.

source: wrestleview.com

The Kliq - Where Are They Now?

Triple H - Multiple WWE/World championship titles, founding member of DX, the McMahon-Helmsley Era and Evolution, dated Joannie "Chyna" Laurer, married Stephanie McMahon and has three daughters, has acted on tv and in movies, recently formalized an executive position with the WWE, currently rehabbing an injury and is expected to return to the ring later this year.

Shawn Michaels - Multiple championship titles, got off drugs and found God, married with two kids, founding member of DX, retired after a very successful 20 year career.

Kevin Nash - Multiple titles, founding member of the nWo, wrestled with WWE, WCW and is currently with TNA, has acted in movies, married with one son.

Sean Waltman - Only wrestler in history to have held the TNA X Division Championship, the WCW Cruiserweight Championship and the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship, divorced with two children, dated Joannie "Chyna" Laurer and made an X-rated video with her, has been in rehab for drugs and psychiatric problems, recently arrested at a New Jersey airport after a search found him to be in possession of marijuana.

Scott Hall - Has wrestled for over 20 years in AWA, NWA, WCCW, WCW, ECW, Juggalo Championship Wrestling, WWE and TNA, divorced with two children, has been in and out of rehab, recently arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting a police officer, currently in a WWE sponsored rehab facility.

Update on Scott Hall

Scott Hall was out of psychiatric treatment but he got caught drinking again and was sent right back. Hall has been in and out of treatment over the past several weeks as he continues to deal with personal problems. WWE is footing the bill for his treatment per their company Wellness Policy.

source: wrestlingnewsworld.com

Suggestions to Spark Raw Ratings

Bring Stephanie McMahon and Vince McMahon back as central characters on the TV show right after the election. Have the family feud become the centerpiece of Raw, with Stephanie revealed as the mystery G.M. and Vince fighting to control her power-hungry daughter with Triple H getting the benefit of every one of her decisions en route to trying to take over WWE from the Vince-backed babyface Randy Orton. This option could breath life into WWE and is the most likely to be tried, but I'd take all of the previous options over this one...More?

source: pwtorch.com

Rumor Mill - Jillian "Retiring"

There have been rumors within WWE about RAW Diva Jillian Hall’s future with the company. While her status with the company is in good standing, plans are being made to “retire” Jillian as an on-air performer. She would then work as a trainer to WWE’s female developmental talents in Tampa, Florida. No word yet when these changes will happen.

source: lordsofpain.com

Conn. Senate Race Too Close to Call; McMahon Within 3 Points

A new poll shows that Democrat Richard Blumenthal's lead in Connecticut's U.S. Senate race over Republican Linda McMahon has evaporated to within the survey's margin of error.

The Quinnipiac University poll released Tuesday shows Blumenthal, the state attorney general, with a 49 percent to 46 percent lead over McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment. The survey of 1,083 likely voters has a sampling margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Blumenthal's lead in the poll two weeks ago was 6 percentage points. In a different poll of registered voters in March, Blumenthal's lead was 33 points.

Poll Director Douglas Schwartz calls Blumenthal's lead "statistically insignificant" and says he should be concerned about McMahon's momentum.

source: washingtonpost.com

This Day in Wrestling History

Don Leo Jonathan & Roy McClarty defeat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) for the NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Montreal.
September 28 1964

Tim Woods defeats Jack Brisco in a tournament final in Tampa, Florida by default to win the NWA Florida Television Title.
September 28, 1972

Mike George & Bob Sweetan become the first ever Mid-South Tag Team Champions in unique fashion. A battle royal was held in Shreveport, Louisiana, with it coming down to George and Buck Robley. George and Robley then wrestled a singles match, with George winning, and getting the belts for his team. If Robley had won, he and Bill Watts would have been the champions.
September 28, 1979

Bret Hart turns on Sting following his match with Hulk Hogan on Nitro, joining Hogan in the process.
September 27, 1998