Our lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer analyzes the WarnerMedia and AEW new deal, from the change of stations in 2022, quarterly specials both the good and bad and what they can t be or they won t work, how to tape so much content, the benefits and non-benefits of TBS vs. TNT, of a second show, how the second show idea came about, and for every action there is an equal or opposite reaction.
Also in this issue:
Turmoil in New Japan, COVID issues, and first hints of what is going on behind the scenes as well as Ospreay drops title
04/30/2021
Thursday’s coverage of the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft drew solid numbers across ESPN/ABC/NFL Network. It dropped off from last year’s record of 15.26 million average English-language viewers, but as per Paulsen at Sports Media Watch, the draft drew its second-highest viewership numbers ever across networks this year:
The opening round of the NFL Draft averaged 12.52 million viewers across ESPN, ABC and NFL Network Thursday night, the second-largest audience in the history of the event. Viewership declined 18% from last year’s all-time record of 15.26 million, set during a period in which all other competing sporting events were on hiatus.
on Friday night.
million viewers for the two-hour broadcast.
Last week s episode drew 2.036 million viewers. Friday s show was taped in advance and was built largely around video packages and promos, as WWE is making final preparations for WrestleMania starting on Saturday night.
The main event segment was a promo from WWE universal champion Roman Reigns. He vowed to show up at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday night and put an end to the dreams of Daniel Bryan and Edge in their Triple Threat showdown.
Bryan and Edge also had promo segments in which both superstars made their case to leave WrestleMania with the universal title.