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AEW ITV UK viewership details

AEW's viewership in the United States is skewed due to their simulcast on Max, but we have a little more info on their UK numbers.

Fightful was able to learn numbers and details provided to All Elite Wrestling that were being touted internally this week. This past week's AEW Dynamite on ITV was what AEW called their third best live audience in over two years, with 113k viewers for live/same day.

The week prior was claimed to be the second best in the last year, with their 7 days n...

Select Answers: AEW PPVs, NXT Evolve, TNA-WWE

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

Hey Sean do you think the talent exchange between TNA and WWE might have some main rosters go to TNA and TNA stars on a raw or smackdown this year???

I'd heard of no further talent being exchanged by WWE and TNA until Masha popped...

Fightful Report Podcast 1/19: Q&A, Graves, Penta, Bayne, TNA-NXT

0:00 Corey Graves-WWE

3:30 Penta-WWE-Heat rumors

5:30 TNA-WWE

6:30 TNA Schedule

7:30 Tessa Blanchard

8:30 Megan Bayne

9:30 AEW Backstage names

10:30 Christopher Daniels

14:30 Q&A Portion

Topics: WWE-TNA, AEW changes, WrestleMania plans, Ronda Rousey, NXT, much more!

Tessa Blanchard-TNA update

Tessa Blanchard’s status comes into focus a little more. 

Tessa Blanchard returned to TNA Wrestling in December after rumors ran rampant of her return. In an interview following that return, Blanchard claimed that she was not under TNA contract and was just showing up to face Jordynne Grace.  However, those within TNA dispute that.

Fightful has heard from a number of TNA sources that claim that Blanchard is signed to the company, and she’d only be factored into plans...

Smackdown Writers and Producers, QPW, UK News

• The Fightful Awards take place on Sunday, January 19 at 6 PM ET at this link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxeBGLswPBs

• Cristian Scovell was listed as the writer for the Rey Mysterio segment

• We'd mentioned a while back that Tough Enough cast member Eric Watts was working as a writer for WWE. His was listed as a writer in Jimmy Uso's segment.

PRODUCERS: 2025-01-18 22:52:46 +0000 UTC View Post

Select Answers: WWE HOF, Saudi-WWE, Corey Graves

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

Is Corey permanently on NXT now? Was there no room for him on Raw or Smackdown? He is too talented for the "demotion"....and he didn't seem too happy during the NXT open this past Tuesday.

I was told that the move is where things ...

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: SmackDown Review & WatchAlong 1/17 | Them's Fightin' Words

On SmackDown tonight, we got a boring, useless hometown promo by a guy who doesn't even work here, leading into a first-time dream match.

Also, Carmelo vs Jimmy Uso got waylaid by Bloodline brutality, followed by Jacob Fatu becoming a gosh darn STAR, which in turn got interrupted by a Knight in shining vestments and a monster among meddlers.

There was a non-title Women's Tag Match, a de facto #1 Contender's Men's Tag Match, and 3rd women's match on the card for a change. Plus some...

WWE Smackdown SCOOPS THREAD

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select has learned the following plans for tonight's WWE Smackdown, subject to change.

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers.

Please note that we've updated our terms of service for news aggregating accounts and sites. If you do not link in your website stories to Fightful or tag in your posts, your account is grounds for termination.

• SPOILER PROMO

• Non title: Bianca Belair & Naomi vs. Nia Jax & Cand...

  2025-01-17 23:57:25 +0000 UTC View Post

FREE POST: Select Portions: Corey Graves, Bate, Myla Grace

• The Fightful Awards presented by NordVPN air at 6 PM ET this Sunday. You will see over a dozen winners accepting speeches.

• Please note that we've updated our terms of service for news aggregating accounts and sites. If you do not link in your website stories to Fightful, your account is grounds for termination.

• There have been no indications that Corey Graves has told people his situation is a work, contrary to some reports. In fact, people close to him h...

  2025-01-17 23:48:00 +0000 UTC View Post

Former World Champ Likely Retiring

SPOILERS AHEAD

PLEASE NAVIGATE AWAY IF YOU WISH TO AVOID SPOILERS

A former world champion had what is planned to be his last match.

Christopher Daniels is effectively retired from in ring competition, Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp is told. Daniels lost to Hangman Page in a Texas Death Match, which is supposed to serve as Daniels' last match.

We've learned that Daniels had been looking to have his last match and officially retire for quite some time.

Daniels co...

SRS Q&A Questions!

Hey guys! Posting this early!!

Get your questions in! One per subscriber

Who was and wasn't backstage at AEW Dynamite Cincy

Fightful has learned of a number of talent that have been backstage at this week's shows.

PWInsider reported that former TNA President Scott D'Amore was at the show, but he wasn't alone. Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp can confirm that Gisele Shaw was also backstage at the show. Shaw competed in TNA for years before wrapping up a few months ago.

Sean Ross Sapp and Ibou also confirmed that Bryan Danielson was backst...

Get Your Questions In! Ask Grapsody! Today, at 5 PM EST!

Phil and Reg are back for another edition of Ask Grapsody! The show begins at 5 PM EST.

Youtube URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJpT4GObHCY

Megan Bayne-AEW contract update

Megan Bayne is back in AEW.

Bayne appeared on the January 15 episode of AEW Dynamite in the gauntlet match. The two sides have been connected for quite some time, but she hadn't appeared in AEW for a year and a half.

Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp was told by AEW sources that Bayne is signed to AEW for quite some time. That source said that she'd been for the duration of her absence, though sources near Bayne had claimed she was a free agent at one point. We'll work to tidy up t...

Select Answers: Kenny Omega, Malakai-WWE, Kamille

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

Is Kenny doing well healthwise after reminding everyone what GOD looks like

I've heard nothing to indicate that Kenny Omega has faced any hurdles since returning, which is great news. There was serious concern for his future as of...

Top indie name discussed for AEW

A top independent name could be back in the fold at AEW.

Fightful Select has learned that GCW regular Megan Bayne has been diacussed within AEW, with a claim that she's at AEW Dynamite, which is taking place in Cincinnati, Ohio. We're working to verify that.

Notably, news of Bayne signing with AEW emerged back in November 2023. In the summer of 2024, there was some chatter around possible creative pitches surrounding Bayne before it was learned that she was no longer under cont...

WWE Raw News, Producers, Writers; Interview Notes

• We're told neither 3 hours or 2.5 is an official length for WWE Raw moving forward, but they do have the idea that there will be a time each week they try to hit.

• WWE had dark matches planned all week for WWE Raw, so the time was not a surprise to them.

• Alexandra Williams was listed as the writer for the CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre promo

• Chad Barbash was listed as the writer for Gunther's promo

• Ben Saccoccio was lis...

  2025-01-15 18:00:10 +0000 UTC View Post

TNA planning live IMPACT

TNA is aiming for a live IMPACT soon.

Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp reported this week that TNA was planning to head to Orlando in February, filling a gap in their schedule. Now, we have more details on their trip.

Those that Fightful Select has spoken to claim that TNA is planning to hold a live episode of Impact on February 20. An announcement is expected in the coming weeks. We're still unsure of a venue.

When we asked if there were more live Impact episodes planned th...

Select Answers: SRS Opinion Edition

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

Do you think we'll see Kenny vs Ospreay 3 this year? if so where do u see it happening

I do think we'll see it this year. I don't know where, but I think if the last number of years have shown AEW anything, it's use big matches wh...

Update on Penta-WWE, rumors of heat

Penta's present is in WWE.

Penta made his long awaited debut in WWE on January 13th's episode of WWE Raw. Fightful Select is told that the deal had been finalized for weeks, after his AEW contract expired on December 1.

Originally Penta was slated to appear as Rey Mysterio's partner in a match with New Day, but we aren't sure why that happened. Sources internally claimed that the merchandise release for Penta early on January 13 was a "happy accident," but we have reason to doubt ...

Corey Graves-WWE Update

Corey Graves appears unhappy on the surface after being moved to NXT.

Corey Graves was moved to NXT in a commentary shakeup that saw Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett on Smackdown, and Michael Cole and Pat McAfee on WWE Raw. Fightful Select had heard word last week that Graves wasn't happy, which seemed to boil over this week.

To be clear -- Fightful Select has not confirmed if this is a work or a shoot, but those close to him claim it's real. Graves posted a tweet on January 13 lay...

Select Answers: WWE Sponsors, McMahon's Millions, Jaida Parker

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

Were the Mr McMahon’s Million Dollar Mania giveaways real? obviously the whole thing was just to write him off for a bit in the end, but were real people winning the prizes??

Yes, they were very real. A number of people won, and...

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: Raw 1/13 | For The Birds

Penta debuted, with terrible new music.
Lyra Valkyria is your new inaugural Women's IC Champion.
Sami won a match with a Blue Thunder Bomb.
Three men who we already assumed were going to be in the Rumble declared that they were, in fact, going to be in the Rumble.
Gunther has a new challenger.
Rhea's Championship celebration got interrupted by an unwelcome guest.
The main event will hopefully be the last time we ever have to see Finn & Damian in the same ROOM with each o...

WWE Raw SCOOPS THREAD

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select has learned the following plans for tonight's WWE Raw, subject to change.

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers.

Pre-Show Notes

• Chelsea Green is not expected at the show as she's in the UK doing promotion.

• The Fightful Awards are planned for 6 PM ET on Sunday, January 19.

• WWE sources internally denied that WWE Backlash was set for Mexico

• WWE sources claimed Penta's merch...

  2025-01-14 00:40:39 +0000 UTC View Post

News on upcoming TNA date

TNA has a huge gap in their schedule, but that is likely to be filled soon.

TNA has no events listed officially following their January 24 tapings in San Antonio, until March 14 in El Paso. However, Fightful Select has learned of a series of dates and locations that have been discussed.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select has learned that Orlando for February 20 and 21 have been discussed internally. We have not confirmed a venue as of yet. We're told that an official announcement ...

Select Answers: Hulk Hogan, Danhausen, Scott D'Amore

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

Hi Sean. Have they given up on Danhausen again? Thought there would be an MxM feud, but nothing.

I thought there would be too. There wasn't a ton of time put into his return as is. I know QT Marshall had been in contact with him i...

Fightful Weekender (1/12): MLW, WEST COAST PRO, PRESTIGE, GCW, TNA PREDICTIONS, ROH SPOILERS

STEPHEN JENSEN is back with a new edition of the WEEKENDER!

- MLW: "Kings Of Colosseum" results

- WEST COAST PRO: "Only The Strong Survive" results

- PRESTIGE: "Roseland" results

- GCW: "Sorry Pal" + "Thank Me Later" results

- GCW: "The People vs. GCW" predictions

- TNA: "Genesis" predictions

- ROH HonorClub SPOILERS (59 min-end)

Fightful Report 1/12: Rock/Cody, Becky, Hogan, Malakai, Charlton, Q&A

0:00 WWE Raw on Netflix Debut

5:00 The Rock and Cody

8:00 Hulk Hogan

10:00 WWE in Saudi

11:30 Becky Lynch

13:00 Other WWE News

15:00 Malakai Black

16:30 Maria

17:30 JoJo Offerman

18:30 Darby Allin and a PIVOT!??!

19:30 Numerous TNA Re-signings

20:30 NJPW News: Contracts, Gabe Kidd, Chris Charlton

23:00 Q&A Portion

Subjects: Corey Graves, Saudi Rumble, WrestleMania, AEW plans, Kenny Omega, The Rock wrestling, Mil...

HELL COMES TO FROGTOWN starring Roddy Piper | THIS IS CINEMA??? (A Sour Graps Podcast)

In 1987 Roddy Piper "retired" from wrestling to become an actor full time.

The first movie he starred in was a post-apocalyptic straight-to-video offering called "Hell Comes To Frogtown", and it's a miracle this movie didn't end his acting career right then and there.

Not that he was bad in it, but rather that EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN THE MAKING OF THIS MOVIE SHOULD HAVE IMMEDIATELY BEEN THROWN IN JAIL.

It is about the man with the highest sperm count in the world being recruit...

WWE's 2025 plans for Saudi Arabia

Fightful has learned more about WWE’s plans for Saudi Arabia.

WWE announced that the Royal Rumble in 2026 would be in Riyadh, the first Royal Rumble ever outside of North America. 

Those that we’ve spoken to have thus far only heard of one WWE event planned for Saudi Arabia in 2025, with that being an event targeted for June in Jeddah. WWE hasn’t done a June show in Saudi Arabia since 2019’s Super Showdown.

If this does end up being the only show in Saudi Arabia...