Despite being the heavily promoted Lockdown episode of Impact last night, the TNA audience dropped 23 percent from last week to 210,000 for the first run episode, easily the lowest in the modern history of the show.
The replay did 87,000, identical to the previous week, but still tied for second to the lowest number since moving to Pop TV with first-run shows.
The 297,000 total was the lowest as well, by a significant margin as the previous low was 345,000 on the debut show.
Matt Hardy retained the TNA World Heavyweight Title over former champion EC3 in the main event after Spud turned on EC3 and cost him the match.
The Doll House also beat Gail Kim and Velvet Sky in the first-ever women’s Lethal Lockdown match (essentially War Games), which ended up being two-on-three after Maria teased teaming up with Kim and Sky but then walked out on them.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back today to talk all the news in wrestling and MMA! Tons of notes on Shane McMahon including an interview with Chris Harrington who has a column about what Shane has been doing in his off time and how his company in China is getting along, plus news, calls and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Confirmed late Tuesday night, the UFC moved quickly in getting the two in front of reporters Wednesday for a 4 PM EST/1 PM PST press conference at the UFC Gym in Torranca, CA.
McGregor was hoping to fight lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and become the first man to hold two UFC titles at the same time, but a broken foot by RDA prevented that. Diaz, Donald Cerrone, and others were considered but Diaz’s resurgence, unique charisma, and ability to sell fan interest just on being himself made him the man to go with.
Even though there’s disappointment at McGregor/RDA being put off for a while, there’s still a lot to be excited for in this one.
DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Audio Show: Today’s show is a mailbag show with topics and questions including Shane McMahon’s return to WWE and some interesting scenarios it could set up that might appeal to the largest demographic watching WWE and more about the demographics of WWE and observations. Other mailbag questions and topics include womens wrestling including a look back at how they have historically been booked and presented in wrestling history and how that is changing and what wrestling can learn from MMA. We revisit the top of top Canadian stars including a possible new front-runner in the biggest Canadian draw of all time and it’s probably not who you think. Also addressed today is a thought provoking email about the dangers of stiff strong style wrestling. I also play with my new Amazon Echo which may be the greatest thing in the history of ever. If you have been thinking about ordering one please consider buying it from the link at my website http://www.dragonkingkarl.com and maybe pick up a Super Stern Stick Flash Drive while you are over there. Enjoy today’s FREE show! (Photo of strong style headdropper Steve Williams by Karl Stern)
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: – No Time Limit, No dq Match: Killer Kowalski beat Verne Gagne – AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat Doug Gilbert & Reggie Parks in 2 out of 3 falls – The Alaskan beat Billy Red Cloud – Kurt Von Steiger drew Bob Boyer
1971
Honolulu, Hawaii: – Sam Steamboat beat King Curtis – Lonnie Mayne beat Frankie Laine to win Hawaiian title – AWA Tag Team Champions Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon beat Billy Robinson & Verne Gagne – Dale Lewis drew Don Muraco – Ripper Collins beat Beauregard
1973
Omaha, Nebraska: – Billy Robinson & Don Muraco beat Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch 2 out of 3 falls – Reggie Parks beat Larry Hennig 2 out of 3 falls – Superstar Billy Graham beat Rene Goulet – Ken Patera beat Johnny Heidman
1977
Kansas City, Kansas: – Bulldog Bob Brown downed Jan Nelson – Bobby Jaggers & Benny Ramirez defeated Big Red & Dave Nevins – Akio Sato & Mike George wrestled to a draw – Andre the Giant & Ted Oates beat D.I. Bob (later Sgt.) Slaughter & Mitsuo Hata – NWA World Title: Champion Harley Race defeated big Ernie “The Cat” Ladd, 2 out of 3 falls to retain the title
1978
Atlanta, Georgia: – Mr. Wrestling II beat Stan Hansen dq – Tony Atlas & Andre the Giant beat Ole Anderson & Lars Anderson – No dq Match, No Time Limit: Tommy Rich beat Abdullah the Butcher – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Bob Armstrong – Adrian Adonis beat Butch Malone – Raymond Rougeau beat Jim Dalton – Mighty Zulu beat the Invader
1983
Sioux City, Iowa: – Hulk Hogan beat Ken Patera dq – Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan beat Mad Dog Vachon & Jim Brunzell – Rick Martel beat John Tolos – Buck Zumhofe beat Bobby Heenan
1985
JCP/AWA Star Wars: East Rutherford, New Jersey: – Sgt. Slaughter & Jerry Blackwell won tag team battle royal – NWA Champion Ric Flair beat Harley Race – AWA Tag Team Champions Road Warriors beat Jerry Lawler & Baron Von Raschke – Jim Garvin beat AWA Champion Rick Martel dq – Ivan Koloff & Nikita Koloff beat Steve Keirn & Jimmy Valiant – Bob Backlund beat Billy Robinson – Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell drew Mr. Saito & Masked Superstar – Handicap match: Kamala beat Mark Pole & Lou Fabiano – Mark Youngblood & Jay Youngblood & Jimmy Valiant drew Larry Zbyszko & Nick Bockwinkel & Dory Funk Jr
1987
Tampa, Florida: – Sir Oliver Humperdink defeated Bad News Allen to win the Florida Heavyweight Title
1991
WCW WrestleWar: Phoenix, Arizona: – The Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin) defeated Doom (Butch Reed & Ron Simmons) to win the World Tag Team Titles – Ric Flair, Barry Windham, Sid Vicious & Larry Zbyszko (subbing for Arn Anderson) defeated Sting, Brian Pillman, Rick & Scott Steiner in a War Games match – Terry Taylor defeated Tom Zenk – Stan Hansen vs. Big Van Vader ended in a double disqualification – United States Champion Lex Luger defeated Danny Spivey
1992
Memphis, Tennessee: – Koko B. Ware defeated Kamala to win the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title
1995
Erlanger, Kentucky: – Dan Severn defeated Chris Candido it win the NWA World Heavyweight Title
2002
Las Vegas, Nevada: – Eddie Guerrero defeated Psicosis and Juventud Guerrera to win the WWA International Cruiserweight Title – Devon Storm defeated Sabu – Rick Steiner & Ernest Miller defeated Lodi & Lenny Lane – WWA World Champion Jeff Jarrett defeated Brian Christopher
2009
Nashville, Tennessee: – Jack Swagger defeated Christian to win the ECW Title
Brie and Nikki are in a historic hotel in Buffalo. Nikki says she is going to stay in Phoenix but Brie says she can’t stay with her because Nikki is too needy. John Cena, in a flashback, calls her a “needy monster.” Nikki has to stay alone in her mom’s giant house.
Backstage, everyone is touching Rosa. She is distressed that Bobby, the father of her unborn child, is an atheist. She hasn’t told her Christian mom yet. They’ve been dating for six months. Paige burps and apologizes to Rosa. Rosa says its ok, it smells good. Paige is worried because something bad happened on social media. Fox is upset, too.
Carrano is going to be pissed. Everyone is watching John Cena’s match. Nikki is freaking out because Cena broke his nose. Cena is still wrestling. Fox is talking to Rosa about Carrano who has been doing damage control for the social media problem. After all the fuss, Fox thinks it’s time for a lifestyle change.
Nattie is worried about Cena so she comes over to his house to drink wine with Nikki. Nikki tells Nattie that even though she’s fearless in the ring she has a lot of fear outside the ring.
*****
In Tulsa, OK, Fox tells everyone they are going to start a lifestyle change this weekend. She forces Paige to swear that they are not going to get into trouble.
At a red carpet event for WWE 2k16, a British journalist asks Nikki about John Cena’s nose.
In a car, Rosa is with Bobby the atheist. She tells him she is going to make pasta primavera, and he says that’s too much. She reminds him that he asked for a crazy girl. He’s excited to be a father. They’ve named the baby Jordan. Bobby says not to buy kale. His father doesn’t like kale. Rosa asks Bobby to pretend not to be an atheist. He won’t pretend. Bobby doesn’t want Jordan to get baptized and Rosa does.
I’m starting to worry that the Divas aren’t going to any nice restaurants this episode.
In a car, Fox and Paige are going to a furniture store. Paige asks to get food. Finally, they make it to a nice restaurant. Paige orders some drinks and Fox is upset because she wants to have a lifestyle change this weekend. Paige orders more drinks and tells the waiter she likes to go to karaoke and she wants to play bingo. The waiter tells her about dirty bingo. Fox is pissed but doesn’t say anything because she enjoys being self-righteously angry.
Meanwhile in Rosa’s life, she asks Bobby to baby proof the house. He reminds her that the baby isn’t coming for another 5 months. She wants to baby proof the house to impress Bobby the atheist’s dad. She hired a caterer to make dinner so she can pretend she did it.
Paige arrives at dirty bingo, but it’s just regular bingo. All the old guys are hitting on Paige and Fox. Paige is having fun flirting with all the old guys. Fox is not. At all. She’s frustrated because the furniture store is closing.
Brie and Nikki are checking into a nice hotel. Nikki wants to stay in the same room, but Brie needs some personal space. Nikki does not react well to the boundaries that Brie is attempting to set.
Bobby and his dad arrive at Rosa’s house and everything is going great with the parents. They make small talk, but then Rosa’s mom asks Bobby to pray. He tells her that he doesn’t pray. Everyone looks around the room nervously.
*****
Rosa says a prayer, while everyone but Bobby touches hands.
In a Florida bar, Fox complains that they didn’t go to the furniture store. She’s fed up and leaves the bar.
Back in Rosa’s apartment, Rosa asks Bobby’s dad if he likes fajitas. He doesn’t. Please also remember that Bobby’s dad also doesn’t like kale. Hopefully you will be able to use this information at some point in your life. Rosa’s mom wants the baby to be baptized. Bobby tries to explain that he doesn’t. He leaves the room. Rosa calms Bobby down and they come back in the house Rosa’s mom leaves. Bobby’s dad tells Rosa everything is going to be ok.
Nikki barges into Brie’s hotel room. Brie is pissed. She kicks the cameras out. She kicks Nikki out. Nikki doesn’t understand boundaries and tells Brie she hates her.
Back in Orlando, Paige returns home. Fox is mad. She tells Paige she’s mad because she is taking this lifestyle change seriously, and she needs support. Paige is sorry, she’s not ready to settle down, but she should have gone to the furniture store and not bingo.
In the hotel, Nikki asks Nattie if she can sleep with her. Nattie is lying in bed in full make-up. Nikki talks about how she is so frightened at night and has nightmares. Nikki admits she is terrified of death. Nattie thinks it’s because she didn’t have a father figure after her grandfather died. All this Cena injury stuff is triggering her old fears.
*****
To make up for yesterday, Paige decides to take Fox to a taxidermy stuff. Fox loves taxidermy stuff. They buy a horned animal skull and Fox is so stoked.
Backstage, Nattie tells Brie she got a psychic reading. Mr. Belding from “Saved By The Bell” comes up and gives Nattie a hug. Nattie tells Brie about all the dark stuff Nikki was saying last night She’s worried. Brie tells her it’s nothing. Nattie doesn’t think it’s nothing. Now Brie is worried.
In Phoenix, Brie invites Nikki over. She ask, “Why are you so anxious?” Nikki tells her she’s worried about death because of her grandfather dying. Brie had no idea Nikki was hurting so much. Brie feels bad, Nikki says she should feel bad. Brie realizes she’s been unfair to her sister. They talk about the Disney Channel.
And that’s all! I’ll leave it to greater philosophers than I to break down the very rich symbolic depictions of life and death as represented in this episode by Nikki’s fear of death, the taxidermy skull bought by Paige and Fox, and the coming birth of Rosa’s child, the baby Jordan. The brightest minds of this generation received an intellectual gift tonight, one whose magnificence will not be fully understood for several lifetimes.
On last week’s episode of TNA Impact, Ethan Carter III and Rockstar Spud reunited to defeat the team of TNA World Champion Matt Hardy & Tyrus.
Tonight on Impact:
Tonight is a special edition of Impact! It features a Pay-Per-View caliber line-up. The one, the only… TNA Impact Wrestling: Lockdown! All the matches are taking place inside the infernal and devilish Six Sides of Steel Cage.
In the huge main event, TNA World Champion Matt Hardy will defend his title against the deadly, Ethan Carter III. For the first time in TNA history, the Knockouts will compete in Lethal Lockdown when The Dollhouse battles it out with The Beautiful People and Knockouts Champion, Gail Kim. Additionally, X Division Champion, Trevor Lee puts his title on the line against Tigre Uno. In tag action, Beer Money takes on Eric Young and Bram.
Show Recap:
Josh Matthews and The Pope welcome us to the Wembley Arena in London, England. The Six Sides of Steel is already set up and ready for our first match.
Beer Money (James Storm & Bobby Roode) vs. Eric Young & Bram
James Storm rides down to ring on the Boozer Cruiser, with of course his Boozer Cruiser Cam. While Beer Money, EY and Bram brawl on the outside, Storm takes a beer from someone in the crowd and spits it in Bram’s face. This gets a “TNA” chant from this hot crowd in London. EY and Bram took out Storm on the outside and then locked the cage door with Storm on the outside still. They get the advantage on Roode by isolating him with double team moves. James Strom recovers on the outside and climbs the cage to get in, and then takes down both men on his own. EY countered out of the DWI in a cool spot, and then got hit with a violent super kick from Storm. Beer Money hits the DWI on Bram for the pin and the win!
This was a really strong opening tag team match and a great way to start Lockdown. Beer Money continues to be one of the highlights each week on Impact.
-Earlier today Matt Hardy, Reby Sky and Tyrus arrived in the arena.
-Backstage, EC3 meanders around the halls alone before heading to the ring.
-Back from commercial, we start backstage on Brian Hebner as he frantically runs down the steps and finds an injured Madison Rayne screaming in pain.
-The Catchiest music in wrestling history hits and EC3 makes his way down to the Six Sides of Steel. He does his promo sitting on the steps and the electric crowd breaks out into a huge “EC3” chant while he talks about his feud with Matt Hardy and his match later. EC3 enters the cage and calls out Rockstar Spud. Josh mentions that last week EC3 wanted to face Hardy and Tyrus alone, but Rockstar Spud came out to be EC3’s partner. EC3 thanks Spud for helping him last week and extends his hand for a handshake. The crowd breaks out into a “shake his hand” chant. Spud shakes his hand and says “handshakes aside, I always does the ring thing.” Matt Hardy, Reby and Tyrus interrupt EC3 and Spud. Hardy says everyone should fear him. The crowd chants “We want Jeff”. For legal reasons Jeff can’t come to the U.K. for this tour, but Matt failed to mention that.
-Backstage, Jermey Borash interviews Trevor Lee and Shane Helms.
-Back from commercial, the Unnamed Man from last week (who is identified as Jimmy Havoc) talks about Rosemary of Decay. He mentions that she’s dangerous and he brings that out in her. He’s going to get her back from Crazy Steve and Abyss.
TNA X Division Champion Trevor Lee w/ Gregory Shane Helms vs. Tigre Uno
This was a really good match with lots of intense and fast paced action throughout. Lee gains the advantage on Uno and uses his power moves to dominate. Tigre makes a comeback and the pace quickens. In an awesome spot, Uno climbs to the top of the cage, but instead of escaping and winning, he hits a sick cross body onto Lee inside the ring to a massive pop. That might have been a mistake as Lee hits the Fishermen Buster for the win. Trevor Lee retains the X Division Title.
-Backstage, “The First Lady of Professional Wrestling” Maria Kanellis runs into a stressed out Knockouts Champion, Gail Kim. Maria mentions that it’s bad luck for Gail that Madison got injured. Gail tells Maria to stop criticizing and instead prove herself by taking Madison’s place in the Lethal Lockdown match.
-Back from commercial, Rosemary is creepily singing alone when the Unnamed Man (Jimmy Havoc) approaches her. He gives her a token of his affection as a way for her to remember him fondly. Crazy Steve enters and that’s when things get weird.
Lethal Lockdown: TNA Knockouts Champion Gail Kim and Velvet Sky vs. The Dollhouse (Jade, Marti Bell & Rebel)
The Six Sides of Steel has several chairs, trashcans and various other weapons hanging from the sides. Josh explains the rules for the match: Two knockouts start the match. At intervals, another knockout joins the match, and the match can only end after all participants enter the ring.
Jade and Gail Kim start the match off. Gail Kim and Velvet are already at a disadvantage because Madison was mysteriously injured earlier.
Back from commercial, Jade and Gail Kim are trading shots. The first entrant out is from the Dollhouse, Marti Bell. The Dollhouse work over Gail with double team moves. The Next entrant is Velvet Sky who runs wild on The Dollhouse. Josh and Pope mention that Gail and Velvet don’t have a partner unless Maria steps up. Rebel comes out next and The Dollhouse has a three on two advantage. Weapons are introduced to the match with all the Knockouts taking each other out. The final entrant comes out and it’s Maria Kanellis. She teases entering the match and teaming with Gail and Velvet but doesn’t. Maria locks the door and walks away leaving Gail and Velvet to fight on their own, Gail and Velvet hit a double flapjack from the top rope on Jade to huge pop. Gail hits eat defeat on Rebel, but Jade breaks up the pin. Jade hits the package piledriver on Gail onto the steel chair and pins Knockouts Champion, Gail Kim. The Dollhouse wins Lethal Lockdown!
-Backstage, EC3 meets Kurt Angle, who wishes him good luck in his match later.
-Next we see a creepy music video of Decay (Crazy Steve, Abyss & Rosemary). It ends with them spitting into the camera.
-Back from commercial, we get a video for the Kurt Angle and Lashley match. They show clips from their second meeting where Kurt was victorious.
-Back in the arena, The Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle makes his way down to the ring. Josh mentions that Kurt as two matches left in his career (In TNA). In two weeks, Kurt faces Lashley and next week Kurt takes on Bobby Roode. Kurt talks about the Farewell Tour. Lashley interrupts and comes down to the ring. Lashley mentions that he’s been waiting a year to get revenge on Kurt. This enrages Kurt, prompting him to tell Lashley he wants to fight, and he wants to do it right now. Lashley teases fighting, but doesn’t and leaves the ring. Lashley was really good here playing a very subtle heel. TNA is doing a decent job building up to this Kurt Angle vs. Lashley match.
-Back from commercial, Eli Drake is in the ring talking about Odarg The Great and how it’s Grado. Eli points out that Grado was fired from TNA. Eli promises to take Odarg’s mask off.
Eli Drake vs. Odarg The Great
Total comedy match. Eli dominates Odarg. Eli tries to escape through the door and Odarg pulls Eli’s tights nearly off trying to keep him in the ring. Eli wrestles for a bit with his tights half way down. Odarg climbs to the top of the cage to escape. Odarg is hanging off the side of the cage. Eli pulls the mask off and Odarg falls to the ground, and wins the match. Odarg is revealed as Grado and Jeremy Borash was very surprised that it was Grado. He was the only one.
-Backstage, Decay approaches Jimmy Havoc and they tell him that Rosemary is with them. Decay beats down Jimmy Havoc and leaves him there to rot.
-Back from commercial, Grado is trying to plead his case to Billy Corgan, but security throws him out.
-Next we get a cool video from “Miracle” Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis.
TNA World Heavyweight Champion Matt Hardy w/ Tyrus vs. Ethan Carter III
We get the ring introductions for EC3 and TNA World Champion Matt Hardy. Both are shown walking backstage and out to the ring. The crowd is buzzing in anticipation of this match. The crowd sings along with EC3’s theme music.
Josh tells us that there are no more commercial breaks and we’ll get this match without interruption. Tyrus throws two steel chairs in the ring. Hardy sets the chairs up in the corner, but gets sent head first into the chairs instead of EC3. Matt takes the lock and chain off the cage door and tries to use it. EC3 takes Matt down. EC3 tries to walk out the door, however Tyrus blocks the way. EC3 flips off Tyrus and says something that is bleeped out. Tyrus enters the cage and beats down EC3. Tyrus tries to use the chain and lock to tie EC3 to the rope, instead EC3 ends up tying Tyrus up. Matt hits the twist of fate with EC3 trapped in the chair, but only gets a near fall. Both EC3 and Hardy crawl towards the door. Reby comes down to ringside and teases using a hammer. Rockstar Spud comes out to stop Reby. Shockingly, Rockstar Spud turns on EC3 by slamming the cage door on EC3’s head. Spud helps Matt escape and win the match.
After the match, Spud hits EC3 with a vicious chair shot while the crowd chants “You Sold Out” at Spud. As Rockstar Spud leaves he tells an unconscious EC3, “I always do the right thing.”
Final Thoughts:
TNA delivered a really good edition of Impact this week. There were several entertaining matches including, Beer Money vs. EY & Bram. The Knockouts Lethal Lockdown was also a jaw dropping event, and the night was capped off by an enticing main event. TNA continues to produce fun and exciting Impact’s since arriving on POP TV.
Next Week on Impact:
Next week, we’re still in London for Impact. The Kurt Angle Farewell Tour is nearing its end as Kurt wrestles his second to last match against one half of Beer Money, Bobby Roode.
For this week’s show from Indianapolis, airing in Canada on Wednesday and in the U.S. on Thursday:
– WWE Champion HHH came out to significant cheers. There was a podium with the title belt. They played the Reigns injury angle from RAW, and said he’d beat Reigns at WrestleMania.
Sheamus & Wade Barrett & Rusev & Alberto Del Rio beat Kalisto & Sin Cara & Neville & Dolph Ziggler
Barrett wrestled for the first time in months. Sheamus pinned Neville with the Brogue kick.
– Kevin Owens was being interviewed by Renee Young. He offered Dean Ambrose an I-C title rematch tonight. The idea was it was a grandstand challenge since Ambrose was “injured” from the Lesnar angle. Owens said that he wanted to wrestle Ambrose, but if he’s not there, he’s taking the night off. Big Show came out. This set up a title match for later in the show.
– Devon Dudley beat Jimmy Uso quickly with a roll-up.
– They did a video where they announced that Undertaker would be at Raw on Monday night in Nashville.
– They aired a Godfather Hall of Fame video.
WWE Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens beat Big Show via countout
The finish came when Show was crotched on the top rope, fell to the floor, and couldn’t get back in the ring. Owens grabbed his belt and left as quick as he could before Show recovered.
Becky Lynch NC Natalya when Naomi and Tamina attacked both of them
Sasha Banks made the save. Charlotte came out and said the Lynch vs. Banks match for the title shot at WrestleMania will be on Raw on Monday night.
R-Truth beat Heath Slater
The finish saw Goldust punch Slater behind the ref’s back. R-Truth didn’t see it either, but when he saw it on the replay, he got mad at Goldust.
– New Day did an interview prior to the main event.
A.J. Styles & Chris Jericho & Mark Henry beat WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day (Big E/Kofi/Xavier Woods)
Styles made Woods tap to the calf crusher. There was a spot where Jericho jumped in the way of a kick by Kingston aimed at Styles and Jericho sold it big.
– Notes from tonight’s tapings:
They announced that Night of Champions would be taking place at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on 9/25 with the code WWEPRE for pre-sale tickets.
Ring of Honor announced today that the way they are handling Friday’s TV title situation is doing a three-way match with new champion Tomohiro Ishii facing the original two wrestlers who were scheduled to battle, former champion Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish.
Ishii won the title on Friday at Korakuen Hall.
There was question as to whether Ishii vs. Hirooki Goto, originally scheduled on the card, would become the title mach, or if Ishii would face Strong, since an angle on the Saturday night show at Korakuen Hall indicated the match with Strong. Instead they announced a three-way match for the title with Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish.
Goto will still be on the show against an opponent as not yet named.
The companies 14th anniversary show will be from a sold out Sam’s Town Casino Arena in Las Vegas on Friday February 26th, headlined by Jay Lethal defending the ROH title in a three-way against Kyle O’Reilly and Adam Cole.
The return of Shane McMahon to start the show appears to have impacted the viewership of Raw greatly, or it was that and a combination of the bump caused by coming a day after the PPV.
Last night show did 3.87 million viewers, the best number since the day after the Royal Rumble doing 4.09 million viewers.
It’s hard to know how much the McMahon return would mean since it was a shock, but it was also at the beginning of the show, meaning word may have gotten around quickly causing people to tune in. The show ended up having a huge third hour drop, at a larger levels than most weeks, but the third hour was still ahead of every third hour since the day after Rumble show.
The show was up 12 percent from last week’s 3.46 million viewers, which was the second lowest number for a non-holiday show outside of football season since 1997.
The three hours were:
8 p.m. 4.20 million viewers 9 p.m. 4.06 million viewers 10 p.m. 3.40 million viewers
Tickets went on sale for the Payback PPV on 5/22 in Newark, NJ at the Prudential Center, and then Ticketmaster changed the name of the show to Extreme Rules.
There will still be a Payback show on 5/1, but the location hasn’t been announced.
