• Backstage News On John Cena’s In-Ring Return
WWE Legend John Cena returned and wrestled on the December 30th episode of SmackDown.
That episode drew 2.63 million viewers with a 0.84 rating in the 18-49 demo, which is up from previous week’s 2.38 million viewers with a 0.55 rating.
This was the highest SmackDown viewership in over 2 years.
The John Cena & Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns & Sami Zayn quarter hour viewership peaked at 2.83 million viewers.
These were the highest quarter hour numbers for any wrestling show in the US in 2022.
According to the Wrestling Observer, the wrestlers involved in this match were extra careful with Cena, as Cena (being a Hollywood star) can’t afford any injuries while he’s filming shows & movies.
Cena was well protected in this match as he hadn’t been in the ring in over a year.
While Owens picked up the win for his team after hitting Sami with a Stunner (as he needed the momentum ahead of his Undisputed Title match against Reigns), there was a push for Cena to hit his finisher, the Attitude Adjustment, as FOX heavily promoted his return during NFL games.
This led to Cena hitting the AA on Reigns in the ending moments of the match.
New Video: Former WWE Diva Cameron (Ariane Andrew) Exposes Her Buns (Part 1):
• ON THIS DAY IN WWF HISTORY (January 7, 1989) – WWF Superstars of Wrestling
On this day in 1989, the World Wrestling Federation aired an episode of their weekly TV show ‘WWF Superstars of Wrestling’.
This episode was pre-taped at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida and featured matches, promos & storyline segments on the road to the ‘WWF Royal Rumble 1989’ PPV.
Here’s the match-card:
Demolition vs. Iron Mike Sharpe & Rusty Brooks
Ted DiBiase vs. Scott Casey
Jake Roberts vs. Pete Sanchez
The Big Boss Man vs. Bill Mulkey
The Brain Busters vs. George South & Tim Horner
Hart Foundation vs. Rhythm & Blues
