Various: AXS TV CEO on NJPW and Live Events, Lucha Underground, Indies

Mark Cuban Comments on NJPW Being the Best and AXS TV Airing Live NJPW Events

Sports Illustrated held a recent interview with AXS TV CEO Mark Cuban discussing his thoughts on New Japan Pro Wrestling and AXS TV airing live NJPW events.

On the topic of NJPW, Cuban stated he considers them to be the best professional wrestling company in the world today.

“We are always looking for great content for the network and New Japan Pro Wrestling is the best pro wrestling in the world …

New Japan is the best in the business at long-term storytelling that has a payoff. The tension between Kenny Omega and Cody has been building on AXS TV since June of 2017 when Cody tried to ‘throw in the towel’ during Kenny’s title shot with Okada. Add in the iconic voice and storytelling of wrestling Hall of Famer Jim Ross and MMA champ Josh Barnett for July 7, and you have must-see TV.”

On the topic of AXS TV airing live NJPW events, Cuban stated he feels this is a great way to reward the viewers of their weekly NJPW show and help NJPW increase their fanbase in the United States.

“They are a great way to reward viewers of the weekly show and to increase the fanbase in the United States. The viewership and social engagement for live specials in the U.S. explodes as it expands the audience outside of those who will stay up all night for events from Japan.

Lucha Underground Ratings – July 4, 2018

This week’s episode of Lucha Underground drew 88,000 viewers on the El Rey Network, down from last week’s episode of 99,000 viewers. This week set a new record for the least viewed episode of Season 4.

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

The National Wrestling Alliance released a new episode of their Ten Pounds of Gold series focusing on the build up to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship match at September’s All In event in Chicago, Illinois between Cody and champion Nick Aldis.

Major League Wrestling announced that a Falls Count Anywhere match between Joey Janela and MJF has been added to their July 12th MLW Fusion television tapings in Orlando, Florida.

ROH announced that the card of their Honor for All event on July 20th in Nashville, Tennessee features a ROH World Television Championship match of Scorpio Sky versus champion Punishment Martinez and a Proving Ground match of Karen Q versus Women of Honor champion Sumie Sakai.