• WWE Raises Stakes For SmackDown’s Battle Against AEW Rampage This Friday
This Friday’s “Supersized SmackDown” will air on FS1 instead of FOX, because of the MLB Playoffs.
According to cable listings, SmackDown will air from 8 PM to 10:30 PM EST, which means it will go head-to-head with the first 30 minutes of AEW Rampage next week (from 10 to 10:30 PM EST).
AEW President Tony Khan tweeted the following about it:
“I saw you’re doing a half hour head-to-head with us. I can’t wait to finally beat your main show head-to-head. It’s been a long time coming. See you next Friday for #AEWRampage on @AEWonTNT!”
I saw you’re doing a half hour head-to-head with us. I can’t wait to finally beat your main show head-to-head. It’s been a long time coming. See you next Friday for #AEWRampage on @AEWonTNT!
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) October 9, 2021
WWE has now raised the stakes for this highly anticipated battle, as they announced that the last 30 minutes of this week’s SmackDown (where they will battle Rampage) will be commercial free.
For comparison purposes, here’s how last week’s SmackDown & Rampage performed:
SmackDown: 2.03 million viewers (with 596,000 viewers in the 18-49 demo)
Rampage: 466,000 viewers (with 196,000 viewers in the 18-49 demo)
SmackDown draws over 2 million viewers on FOX, but they do below 1 million for their FS1 shows.
With Rampage being live next week on TNT, and SmackDown being on FS1, Rampage defeating SmackDown, both in terms of viewership and the 18-49 demo, does look possible here.
Pre-taped episodes of Rampage are getting viewed in the 600,000 range on an average, but a live episode might do better, especially given the fact that Tony has issued a challenge, which means the hardcore AEW fans and the anti-WWE fans will definitely make sure that they watch next Friday’s episode of Rampage live.
Below is the match-card for next week’s Supersized SmackDown:
– Brock Lesnar will appear on the show
– SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks
– Sonya Deville vs. Naomi
– Carmella vs. Zelina Vega in a Queen’s Crown tournament match
– Finn Balor vs. Sami Zayn in a King Of The Ring tournament match
Below is the match-card for next week’s AEW Rampage:
– CM Punk vs. Matt Sydal
– Ruby Soho vs. The Bunny
– Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Jake Hager & TNT Champion Sammy Guevara) vs. Men of The Year (Ethan Page & Scorpio Sky) & Junior Dos Santos
WATCH: Torrie Wilson Exposes It All:
• Old School WWF Veteran Celebrates His Birthday
Old School WWF Veteran Sam Houston (Real name: Michael Smith) celebrates his 58th birthday today.
Houston is the brother of fellow Old School WWF Veteran Rockin’ Robin, the half-brother of WWF Legend Jake “The Snake” Roberts and the son of NWA Veteran “Grizzly” Smith.
Between 1986 and 1994, he was married to Old School NWA Diva “The Perfect 10” Baby Doll.
Sam Houston wrestled for the World Wrestling Federation from 1987 till early 1991.
In 1991 & 1993, he did a couple of House Show matches for Ted Turner’s World Championship Wrestling and even a few televised jobs in 1993 & 1994.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM HOUSTON!
