The Monday, April 20th, WWE Extreme Rules “go-home” edition of RAW, with Seth Rollins vs. Dolph Ziggler in the main event, drew 4.04 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. The 4.04 final draw marks a solid increase compared to last week’s show, which averaged 3.665 million viewers for a taped edition of the show from London, England.
The hourly viewership breakdown for Monday’s RAW, which emanated from the Times Union Center in Albany, New York, is as follows:
Hour One: 4.105 million viewers Hour Two: 4.136 million viewers Hour Three: 3.873 million viewers
WWE RAW finished second on cable for Monday night behind the NBA Playoffs.
Jim Ross recently updated the official blog section of his website to share his thoughts on Monday’s RAW and some other topics. Below are some highlights:
On Kane’s RAW performance: “Thought the irate and angry Kane persona was a plus. Not sure, other than Undertaker, that any WWE talent has ever had a more distinguished career than Glen Jacobs aka Kane. His character and integrity are beyond reproach and he should be what every talent in NXT strives to emulate. He is exactly the kind of person WWE needs to always utilize in a variety of ways as he is rock solid in every area and is an invaluable mentor to the young wrestlers.”
On Seth Rollins and the banned “Curb Stomp” rumors: “I don’t know if WWE has or has not banned the use of Seth Rollins’ Curb Stomp finisher but many fans are seemingly up in arms about its absence. I say the safety of the athlete is always the first priority of any responsible company and if the move is more likely to concuss people than others then it needs to be eliminated. It’s that simple. Not sure why so many fans have taken to my Twitter @JRsBBQ to bitch about it but, at the same time, everyone has the right to an opinion. It’s too bad that so many people within the business have bastardized the DDT, among other moves, or it would still be a great finisher instead of another overused, uncreative high spot that everyone kicks out of on a regular basis. Those type of issues where finishing maneuvers have become impotent ‘spots’ is the fault of undisciplined bookers within the world of wrestling and lazy talents who have not mastered the art orf wrestling.”
On Daniel Bryan’s health: “Hopeful that Daniel Bryan is going to be OK soon but he has to change some of the things that he does whether he wants to or not and not be a prisoner to his on reputation as being one of the best wrestlers in the world. He could eliminate many things from his repertoire and still be one of the best talents in the business. His health is much more important than diving head butts, drop kicks where he strikes the back of his head on the canvas, etc. His most important job in life isn’t being a wrestler but a son, husband and perhaps some day a father. Without great health, those lots in life are more challenging and they’re not easy for a healthy person.”
Check out the complete blog at JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online at WWEShop.com.
Original plans for the WWE Tag-Team Championship match at this Sunday’s WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view called for Tyson Kidd and Cesaro to defend the titles against The Lucha Dragons (Sin Cara and Kalisto), however that no longer appears to be the case.
Kidd and Cesaro got over so well at many of the live events during the recent WWE European tour, which has some speculating that it may have influenced some of the booking.
While it’s not clear yet whether or not Kidd and Cesaro will remain a babyface tag-team going forward, they will be working as the babyfaces against The New Day at the WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view this Sunday.
WWE announced that the scheduled match between Daniel Bryan and Bad News Barrett for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at this Sunday’s WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view will only take place if Bryan’s health permits.
The company did not offer any additional details regarding Bryan’s health on Monday’s Extreme Rules “go-home” edition of RAW.
It’s worth noting that Bryan is still advertised for tonight’s WWE SmackDown television taping in Providence, Rhode Island, however he was advertised for Monday’s RAW as well, but ended up not working the show.
– It was announced during Monday’s WWE Extreme Rules “go-home” edition of RAW that Kane will serve as the “gatekeeper” for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship steel cage match between Seth Rollins and Randy Orton, a match where Orton’s “RKO” finishing move is also banned per the stipulations for the bout. This basically means Kane will be in charge of the cage door, and will be somewhat of the outside-the-ring official for the match.
– The WWE Tag-Team Championships will be on the line during the WWE Extreme Rules “Kickoff Show” on the WWE Network this Sunday as well, as Tyson Kidd and Cesaro will defend the titles against The New Day.
– Finally, a WWE Divas Championship match between Nikki Bella and Naomi was made official for the Extreme Rules pay-per-view this Sunday.
WWE Intercontinental Champion Daniel Bryan made headlines this week when he was pulled from the WWE European tour earlier than planned due to concerns over his health. Rumors had been swirling for weeks regarding his physical issues, with many claiming that he had been telling friends that he was hurting more than normal.
“We didn’t know how my neck was going to do when I came back,” Bryan told Jericho on his podcast at the time. “It’s the same with any injury, I think. If you have knee surgery, you don’t know how your knee is going to do until you actually start putting pressure on it and you can do as much rehab or whatever you want, and now it’s this thing of it being like getting pretty worn down, and I’ve never felt this way before.”
Many questioned Bryan’s decision not to undergo additional surgery to try and better correct the physical issues he had been dealing with, including John Cena, who publicly disagreed with the way Bryan was handling the situation, which he alluded to during an episode of last seasons “Total Divas” reality show.
Bryan would later theorize that it could just be age and years of a very physically demanding style finally catching up with him.
“But I’m also getting older. So I don’t know if it’s just (that), but sometimes when you’ve been off for nine or 10 months, then coming back takes maybe some getting used to, and I don’t know if I’m still in that adjustment process,” said Bryan.
Bryan is scheduled to defend his WWE Intercontinental Championship against Bad News Barrett at the upcoming WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view, which takes place on Sunday, April 26, 2015, at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.
Jim Ross recently updated the Q&A section of his official website, JRsBarBQ.com to answer questions from fans on a variety of subjects. Below are some highlights.
On the “Kiss My Arse” match at Extreme Rules: “I don’t know the rules but it fits the ‘extreme’ theme one has to think.”
On WWE dropping first-names of NXT stars when they get called up: “I don’t know the rules but it fits the ‘extreme’ theme one has to think.”
On possibly doing a “shoot interview” with Jim Cornette: “I would love to do a show with JC any time and anywhere.”
On possibly doing some announcing for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) again: “I am open to broadcasting more NJPW events if they were to come my way. I have heard nothing of doing more since January.”
To read more questions and answers from the WWE Hall Of Famer, visit his official website at JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online, which I’ve tried personally and would highly recommend (especially the beef jerky), visit WWEShop.com.
As noted, WWE filed a lawsuit in the state of California to prevent the selling of undisclosed merchandise in the area during WrestleMania 31 week. In the paperwork that was filed, WWE’s entire pay-per-view schedule through March of 2016 — including the total amount of seats available for those events — were released.
Below is a list of pay-per-view dates, locations and seating capacity:
The listed capacities for the PPV shows for the next year are as follows:
– Extreme Rules in Chicago (12,921)
– Payback on 5/15 in Baltimore (11,389)
– Money in the Bank 6/14 in Columbus, OH (13,275)
– Battleground 7/19 in St. Louis 14,569)
– SummerSlam on 8/23 in Brooklyn (13,438)
– Night of Champions on 9/20 in Houston (11,580)
– Hell in a Cell on 10/25 in Los Angles (14,240)
– Survivor Series on 11/22 in Atlanta (14,349)
– TLC on 12/13 in Boston (13,837)
– Royal Rumble on 1/24 in Orlando (13,000)
– Fastlane on 2/21 in St. Louis (14,569)
Additionally, the go-home Raw for WrestleMania next year will be on 3/28 in Washington, DC. The schedule also lists NXT specials on 5/20, 8/12 and 11/7.
WWE has posted an “injury update” on Paige, who was attacked by Naomi on RAW after earning a shot at Nikki Bella’s Divas Championship at Extreme Rules. According to the storyline-driven report at WWE.com:
“Naomi’s attack on Paige following the Divas Battle Royal has left the No. 1 contender to the Divas Title injured. Though the specifics have yet to be confirmed, early reports suggest that Paige suffered internal injuries as a result of the attack.”
“Following a medical consultation, Paige’s doctors have advised her not to compete until further notice.”
We’ll post an update if Paige is deemed ‘unable to compete’ at Extreme Rules.
– WWE Diva Naomi appeared to turn heel on this week’s edition of RAW, which was taped on Monday afternoon at the O2 Arena in London, England. After Paige won the number one contender Divas battle royal to earn a WWE Divas title shot against Nikki Bella at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view, Naomi attacked her and laid her out. In a backstage segment later on during the show, Naomi pretended to apologize to Paige, but ultimately revealed that she wasn’t sincere.
– John Cena is alluding to the possibility of bringing back the “spinner” WWE United States Championship belt. The current U.S. champion posted the following photo on his official Instagram account:
Following Monday’s taped edition of WWE RAW at the O2 Arena in London, England, new matches and stipulations were announced for the WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view.
Below is an updated look at the lineup:
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Steel Cage Match With The RKO Banned
– Seth Rollins (c) vs. Randy Orton
WWE U.S. Championship Russian Chain Match
– John Cena (c) vs. Rusev
WWE Intercontinental Championship
– Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Bad News Barrett
WWE Divas Championship
– Nikki Bella (c) vs. Paige
Rumored Matches
– Dolph Ziggler vs. Sheamus
– Roman Reigns vs. Big Show (or Roman Reigns & Ryback vs. Big Show & Kane)
Make sure to join us here at SEScoops.com on Sunday, April 26th for the best WWE Extreme Rules live results coverage on the web!
WWE will be taping tonight’s edition of RAW this afternoon at the O2 Arena in London, England. SEScoops.com will have live spoiler results coverage of the entire taping starting at approximately 2:30pm EST.
Official for tonight’s show is a number one contender Divas battle royal, with the winner earning a shot at WWE Divas Champion Nikki Bella at this month’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view.
Also confirmed for RAW this week is another “U.S. Open Challenge” from WWE United States Champion John Cena, and the possible revelation of who Bray Wyatt has been talking about in his recent promos.
WWE Superstars and Divas advertised to appear at RAW this week include Randy Orton, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Rusev, Kane, Ryback, Paige and The Bella Twins.
WWE is focusing on the following points for this week’s RAW:
– How will The Viper get even with Seth Rollins?
– Could John Cena lose the U.S. Title in the U.K.?
– Which Diva will get the ultimate chance against Nikki Bella?
– Will Sheamus be cut down to size?
– Has The Miz’s spotlight been stolen?
Make sure to join us here at SEScoops.com at approximately 2:30pm EST. for live spoiler results coverage of WWE RAW!
– WWE has announced the Divas for the number one contender battle royal on Monday’s RAW in London, England. Competing in the battle royal will be Natalya, Naomi, Emma, Rosa Mendes, Summer Rae, Alicia Fox, Cameron, Brie Bella and Paige, with the winner receiving a Divas title shot against Nikki Bella at this month’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view.
– WWE executive Michael Hayes is teasing surprises for RAW and/or SmackDown this week. The WWE personality tweeted the following:
OK London, taking off in about 20 minutes!!!! The Tour is kicking ass, and surprises for TV this week, see ya soon!!!
– WWE recently applied for a number of new trademarks. WWE has applied to trademark the term “Superfriends Crew,” possibly for a new stable. They also applied for “New Face of Fear” for Bray Wyatt, “Lone Wolf” for Baron Corbin, “The Vigilante” for Sting, “Anti-Diva” for Paige, “The Beast Within” for Brock Lesnar, and other terms such as Starrcade, Halloween Havoc and WWE Nation.
– UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey has signed with Dany Garcia, The Rock’s ex-wife and business partner, to be her new business manager. With a budding movie career (Fast 7, The Expendables 3) and a new book coming out next month, it will be interesting to see what’s next from UFC’s most dangerous female fighter.
It’s worth noting that Rousey and The Rock also share the same agent, Brad Slater.
– It’s believed that stipulations will be added to the Seth Rollins vs. Randy Orton WWE title match and John Cena vs. Rusev U.S. title match at the upcoming Extreme Rules pay-per-view. Also expected for the PPV is Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler in singles action, and either Big Show vs. Roman Reigns or Big Show & Kane vs. Roman Reigns & Ryback. Already scheduled for Extreme Rules, in addition to the two aforementioned title matches, is an Intercontinental Championship bout between Daniel Bryan and Bad News Barrett.
As seen on Monday’s edition of WWE RAW, a Divas Battle Royal will be held on next Monday night’s show to determine a new number one contender to the WWE Divas Championship.
As of this week, WWE has been planning on having Naomi challenge Nikki Bella for the Divas title at the upcoming WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view, so if Naomi doesn’t win the battle royal on Monday, WWE changed their original plans.
Monday’s edition of WWE RAW will be taped in London, England. Make sure to visit SEScoops.com on Monday afternoon for complete RAW spoiler results.
This week’s WWE.com sit-down interview features Bad News Barrett speaking to Byron Saxton, who filled in for the “injured” Michael Cole. Here are some highlights of what Barrett said:
– Barrett said he exercised his rematch clause against IC Champion Daniel Bryan at Extreme Rules because Bryan never beat him. He called Bryan a “paper champion” since he won the title in a multi-man match at WrestleMania.
– Barrett doesn’t understand why Bryan is so beloved by the WWE Universe. He talked about the backstage segment at WrestleMania where the legends congratulated Bryan for his IC title victory. No legends ever gave him a pat on the back for being IC Champion and it doesn’t make sense. Barrett said Daniel Bryan knows that he’s the true champion.
– Saxton said he doesn’t think any of Barrett’s IC title reigns have been as memorable as Bryan’s big win at WrestleMania. Barrett says it’s not about being memorable, it’s about proving you’re the best. Barrett said when he was champion, there was never any question about was the best. At Extreme Rules, he’s going to give Daniel Bryan something to remember.
– WWE has recently applied for trademarks for the terms “Suplex City” for Brock Lesnar and “Balor Club” for NXT star Finn Balor.
– The premiere episode of Jerry Springer’s “Too Hot For TV” show on the WWE Network is scheduled for Monday, April 27th. That is the Monday night after this year’s WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view.
– Bad News Barrett wrote the following on Twitter regarding his match at the upcoming WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view.
Randy Orton will challenge WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins in the main event of Extreme Rules on Sunday, April 26th.
Orton defeated Roman Reigns and Ryback in a triple threat match on RAW to earn the title shot. After the match, Orton ate a curb stomp at the hands of Seth Rollins, who stood tall above a fallen Orton after RAW went off the air.
Also announced for the show, Daniel Bryan will defend the IC title against Bad News Barrett and Rusev gets a US title rematch against John Cena.
Join us here on April 26th for live results of WWE Extreme Rules.
– Although as of this week he has yet to officially sign with Lucha Underground, former WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio told the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the two sides are close to finalizing a deal.
– WWE is teasing that Sheamus, who returned as a heel at last week’s RAW, may be the first Superstar to challenge WWE Intercontinental Champion Daniel Bryan on this Monday’s show in Austin, Texas. After last week’s RAW, there has been speculation that Bryan may be defending the I-C title in a fatal four-way at the upcoming WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view, with Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler and Bad News Barrett being the other three participants.
WWE announced two big title matches for the upcoming Extreme Rules PPV during Tuesday night’s SmackDown television tapings from Fresno, California.
Newly crowned WWE World Heavyweight champion Seth Rollins will defend against Randy Orton in the main event.
Also announced, John Cena defends the United States Championship against Rusev in another WrestleMania rematch.
Make sure to join us here at SEScoops.com on Sunday, April 26th, as we provide the best live results coverage of Extreme Rules, which takes place from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.
For complete WWE SmackDown spoiler results for this week, click here.
– Former WWE Divas Champion Eve Torres-Gracie announced publicly that she and her husband Rener Gracie are expecting their first child. The former WWE Diva posted a photo on her official website that reads, “Baby Gracie: Coming September 2015.” You can check it out at EveTorres.com.
– Nikki Bella addressed the raunchy crowd chants that WWE tried to quiet down during Monday’s post-WrestleMania 31 edition of RAW. The fans chanted “You suck Cena” at Bella, which prompted the Divas Champion to respond with the following tweet:
Amazing #RAW & crowd last night! Always the best! But not 2 clever..Was waiting 4..You suck Cena..Nikki sucks?? but WE LOVE DIVAS..Thank u!?
– WWE aired a video at tonight’s live event from Madison Square Garden promoting ticket sales for Extreme Rules, which takes place on Sunday, April 26th from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. The Ticketmaster pre-sale code is EXTREME.
– It was also announced that WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan will be appearing at WWE’s next live event from MSG on Friday, February 27th, 2015. The Ticketmaster pre-sale code is MSGPRE. This will be Hogan’s first appearance at MSG for WWE since 2002.
coming out next month, it will be interesting to see what’s next from UFC’s most dangerous female fighter.