Dirtsheets sponsored by Powerbomb Appreciation Wednesday:
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Originally Posted by Observer
In addition, a key aspect of this story is the declines at USA have led to wrestling becoming its strongest ratings programming.
The move to Tuesdays will also move Smackdown away from the ratings juggernaut that is NFL Thursday Night Football, which returns in September with extra added emphasis over past seasons. Smackdown has seen its ratings drop during the season, and the move to a live Tuesday format should avoid that strong night on television. Moving to Tuesday will also put it head-to-head against TNA, which likely won't hurt Smackdown ratings, but could have a big impact on the TNA ratings.
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Observer on some of the possible reasons behind the push to make Smackdown a live show and TNA possibly being the biggest loser in the end.
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* Smackdown will air live in UK as well
* The Women's Division will be on one show (Alvarez). Speculation is Smackdown.
* There will be a draft, most likely the July 11 RAW. (Alvarez)
* A lot of NXT wrestlers will be called up (Alvarez)
* Each brand will have a champion (Alvarez)
* Vince is said to be "really pumped up and full of ideas" and going on a very aggressive talent signing spree. (Meltzer)
* Only one Tag Team Title. (Alvarez)
* No word on brand specific PPVs
* Meltzer is estimating RAW will have a roster reduction of around 40% - half, then made up by talent called up from NXT/new signings.
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Some updates to the Brand Split news according to the Observer and F4W. In regards to the "each brand will have a champion" part, Observer teasing the WWE is planning on bringing the World (Big Gold Belt) back.
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Originally Posted by Observer
The probability of Hulk Hogan getting $140 million increased as Gawker’s attempt to get a retrial was tossed out of court today. Gawker wanted a new trial because, well, the first one didn't go their way, but they still have the right to appeal. This case is still far from over.
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Originally Posted by PWI
In the latest twist in the ongoing Hulk Hogan vs. Gawker trial, Forbes is reporting that Silicon Valley billionaire and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel has been bankrolling Hogan's lawsuit against Gawker secretly.
The back story to Thiel's apparent involvment is that a website owned by Gawker attempted to publicly out Thiel as gay several years before he had publicly disclosed his sexuality. So, Thiel is financially assisting Hogan as a way to take out a common enemy in Gawker, which has claimed it would be out of business if they lost a major judgment to Hogan and were forced to pay.
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More details regarding recent developments in the Hogan-Gawker trial:
http://www.pwinsider.com/article/102...ealed.html?p=1
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Originally Posted by PWI
Last night's episode of TNA Impact Wrestling garnered 359, 000 viewers. Not only was it up from last week's 311,000 viewers, but it was the highest audience for an initial broadcast of Impact Wrestling since the series moved to Pop this year.
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Originally Posted by PWI
Cameron AKA Ariane Andrew appears on this week's Steve Austin Podcast. She noted that she wanted to finish her career with Austin since she started with him on the USA Network season of "Tough Enough." She noted that she and boyfriend Vinnie have split. They were early standouts on "Total Divas." She also discussed NXT, her release and more.
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Originally Posted by PWI
The latest edition of Jim Ross' podcast featured a good interview with former WWE Creative Team member Andrew Goldstein, who had some fun stories about working with Dusty Rhodes. He also pushed for the return of Wargames in WWE.
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Originally Posted by Observer
BRYAN: JBL says, "Last night must've taken a lot out of Dean Ambrose," and as he says this, Dean Ambrose isn't selling a goddamn thing. He's running and jumping and doing the whole thing--
MELTZER: Yup.
BRYAN: And so JBL pauses for a moment, and then he says "Well, he doesn't show it, but I'm sure he's hurting on the inside." And I'm like, is that how it is now? Nobody's selling anything, but we all need to know they're hurting on the inside.
MELTZER: There's a disconnect here because the talent wants to sell. You know that? They all want to sell, and they're told not to.
BRYAN: That's the directive now. This is a performance the fans pay their money for, and they wanna see you do all your stuff.
MELTZER: Yeah, they're told not to sell. But if that's the case, then why are the announcers still talking about selling injuries?
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From a recent Observer Radio show about a new directive from Vince/management in regards to wrestlers told to stop "selling" injuries and moves to a degree during matches.
Some other sheet news includes: