Wrestling News 5/24

Here is some wrestling news courtesy of pwinsider.com and wrestlingonthefringe.com.

WWE RELAUNCHES ECW WEBSITE

In a huge media blitz, WWE is advertising the June 11th ECW PPV "One Night Stand" by relaunching the ECW website from old. On the site they have photos of currently signed stars like Jazz, Sabu, CW Anderson and Danny Doring, and they also have previews for the announced matches on the Card.

Jason Van Nest sent this in to PWINSIDER.COM: "The Nutter Center in Dayton, OH website features the following information on the WWE vs. ECW special, "Scheduled to appear: All of your favorite RAW superstars and….Kurt Angle, JBL, Sandman, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer and many, many more…The Main Event Match will consist of a 20 Man Battle Royal featuring WWE Champion John Cena, Triple H, Big Show, Edge, Shelton Benjamin, Carlito, RVD,Tag Team Champions Spirit Squad, and many more!

WWE also ran ads locally here in Dayton during the commercial breaks of RAW advertising John Cena, HHH, Kurt Angle, JBL, Tommy Dreamer, Terry Funk, Sabu, Sandman, Edge, and "many more" RAW, Smackdown, and ECW superstars to appear on the special." (C/O Jason Van Nest)


SHAWN MICHAELS INJURED, RECENT PPV BUYRATES www.pwinsider.com

Last Mondays RAW showcased Shawn Michaels against the Spirit Squad where the S.S. ravaged Shawn Michaels knee, setting up an injury angle. However, there is a real life injury to Shawns knee, and he had an MRI to ascertain whether he needs surgery or not. It appears he does, and it is unknown if he will be able to be on the card for the 6/25 PPV.

Dominick Violi sent this update from last night's off air notes from Raw. ... "The dark match was Striker vs. Shawn Osborne and Victoria wrestled (Cheerleader) Melissa Anderson. Also, when they did the Raw Roulette spin of the wheel Edge mentioned the matches, including a cage match (even though there wasn't a cage above the ring) and the capture the midget match in which Edge said, and I quote, "We'd use TAZ but he doesn't work for this brand"".

WWE has updated recent 2006 PPV buyrate numbers. The approximate numbers are as follows:

New Year's Revolution: 340,000 buys.
The Royal Rumble: 575,000 buys.
No Way Out: 225,000 buys.
WrestleMania: 930,000 buys.
Backlash: 220,000 buys.

WWE ADDS ANOTHER PPV EVENT TO THE SCHEDULE www.pwinsider.com

"This afternoon, WWE began informing business partners that they have locked in an additional Pay-per-view event for December 3, 2006. No word yet on a name for the show, or what brand (or brands) will be involved.

Howard sent along a link for the poster for the Great American Bash, which features Batista. You can check it out by clicking here.

As mentioned on the site earlier today, the Wrestlemania 22 DVD set was released today, and includes the complete 2006 Hall Of Fame ceremony and Saturday Night's Main Event. Since a lot of people have asked, Bret Hart's Hall Of Fame induction speech is included in it's entirety on the set. Mike Johnson attended the event in person, and has noticed no edits in the speech at all."

WRESTLING FANS LET RAW KNOW THEY ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THEIR PRODUCT www.pwinsider.com

The ratings for this weeks RAW saw a significant drop. The hard numbers are a 3.7 cable rating with a 5.4 share. WWE was on a long streak with at least 4.0 average. The show did a hours of 3.5 and 3.8, so it wasn't even a strong 3.7 this week. It goes without saying that WWE management will be taking a hard look at these numbers and work to drive the interest up to where it should be, unless this was just a one week fluke.

AM Raw did a 1.1 cable rating, with a 4.9 share


SECOND ECW ONE NIGHT STAND PPV BOUT CONFIRMED www.pwinsider.com

"During a face-to-face confrontation with WWE champion John Cena on Monday Night Raw, Rob Van Dam announced he would be cashing in his "Money in the Bank" title shot at the 6/11 ECW One Night Stand PPV event in New York City."



STACY KEIBLER SUMS UP HER WRESTLING FUTURE www.pwinsider.com

"Stacy Keibler was on "the Loose Cannons" on AM 570 in Los Angeles with Joe McDonnell and was asked her about WWE and a possible return. Her quote was, "They hadn't written anything for me before 'Stars'...so why should I think they'll do it now? I don't see myself going back. Financially...we have to pay for most of our stuff....so it's a really tough existence. It's time for a new chapter in my life." That pretty much says it all."


Courtesy of PWINSIDER.COM and WRESTLINGONTHEFRINGE.com