WWE: New Day Special Ratings, NXT Call-Ups Update, Hidden Gems

Ratings for USA Network’s New Day Special

Wednesday’s “New Day’s WWE 2018 Pancake Powered Year End Super Spectacular” special drew 584,000 viewers on the USA Network.

The network special was #33 on cable for the night and drew a 0.18 rating for the 18-49 demographic.

Source: Showbuzz Daily

More on WWE’s Newest Batch of NXT Call-ups

Almost all of the upcoming NXT call-ups had been on WWE’s planned call-up list for a while and in EC3’s case, it was also due to NXT creative no longer having any plans for him, according to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Meltzer also reported that Triple H is protective of NXT’s top stars, since it reflects badly on the brand if they fail on the main roster.

Heavy Machinery could have a tough time finding success due to Vince’s negative views of tag team wrestling and not being a fan of “short blocky guys” like Otis Dozovic, according to Meltzer. One source told Meltzer that if Vince finds Dozovic funny due to his charisma, the team will likely do well on the main roster, but could eventually be broken up with Dozovic getting a push and Tucker Knight going nowhere. If Vince doesn’t like Dozovic, they could end up like The Ascension and SAnitY.

WWE Network Hidden Gems Addition; Smoky Mountain Wrestling Themed Classic

Friday’s addition to the WWE Network’s Hidden Gems series will be Smoky Mountain Wrestling themed, featuring one classic event.

This gem is from a January 7, 1995 episode of Smoky Mountain Wrestling featuring highlights from SMW Christmas Chaos 1994, which were three events held from December 25-27, 1994.

Full card of SMW Christmas Chaos 1994:

• D-Lo Brown vs. The Power Ranger
• I Quit match – Bryant Anderson vs. Tracy Smothers
• Falls Count Anywhere match – Cactus Jack vs. Chris Candido (held on Nights 2-3)
• Boo Bradley & Chris Candido vs. Cactus Jack & Tracy Smothers (held on Night 1 only)
• SMW Heavyweight Championship match – Buddy Landel vs. Dirty White Boy (c)
• SMW Tag Team Championship match – The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) vs. The Gangstas (Mustapha Saed & New Jack) (c) (held on Night 1)
• SMW Tag Team Championship match – The Gangstas (Mustapha Saed & New Jack) vs. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) (c) (held on Nights 2-3)

Official synopsis:

SMW 01/07/1995 – SMW Christmas Chaos

Witness highlights of SMW Christmas Chaos 1994 featuring Mick Foley, The Gangstas, The Rock and Roll Express, and many more.