Various: WWE at NBC & FOX TV Upfronts, Hidden Gems, Viceland Ratings, Indies

WWE Attending NBC and FOX’s TV Upfront Conferences Next Week

WWE reportedly will be featured in NBC Universal and FOX’s television Upfront press conferences next week in New York, according to PWInsider.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that NBC will be holding their Upfront press conference on May 13th at 10:30 AM EST at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City, New York. Nikki and Brie Bella were reported to be appearing as WWE’s representatives for NBC’s conference.

Johnson also reported that FOX will be holding their own Upfront press conference on May 13th at 4:00PM EST at the Beacon Theater in New York City, New York. John Cena, Ronda Rousey, Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, and Big Show were reported to be appearing as WWE’s representatives for FOX’s conference.

It was also reported that there had been talks last week within WWE of Hulk Hogan appearing at one of these conferences but at the moment, it is currently unknown if he will actually be attending either event.

WWE Network Hidden Gems Addition

This week’s addition to WWE Network’s Hidden Gems series is World Class Championship Wrestling themed, featuring three classic matches and episodes.

The first gem is from a February 28, 1977 event from World Class Championship Wrestling featuring a Texas Death match of The Sheik vs. Fritz Von Erich.

02/28/1977 – To Tame a Madman

Fritz Von Erich battles one of the sport’s most legendary madmen in The Sheik in a no-holds-barred Texas Death Match.

The second gem is an October 27, 1980 episode of World Class Championship Wrestling featuring Fritz Von Erich, David Von Erich, Kevin Von Erich, and Bruiser Brody.

10/27/1980 – Becoming WCCW

Fritz, David, and Kevin Von Erich team with Bruiser Brody in one of the only surviving episodes of Texas Championship Wrestling.

The third and final gem is from a June 7, 1981 Star Wars event from World Class Championship Wrestling featuring a Steel Cage match of The Great Kabuki vs. Bruiser Brody.

06/07/1981 – The Battle With Brody

There’s no way out for the Great Kabuki when he faces Bruiser Brody in a Steel Cage Texas Death Match from Wrestling Star Wars.

Viceland’s Dark Side of the Ring Ratings – May 8, 2019

Wednesday’s episode of the Dark Side of the Ring documentary series drew 225,000 viewers on Viceland, down from last week’s 234,000 viewers.

This episode featured the life and wrestling career of Gino Hernandez and his controversial death in 1986.

Viceland uploaded a bonus clip from last night’s episode featuring Hernandez’s mother denying rumors that Paul Boesch was the actual biological father of Hernandez.

Amidst rumors surrounding Gino Hernandez's death, fans and wrestlers also believed promoter Paul Boesch was his biological father. This bonus scene was cut from tonight's episode because it was overshadowed by the mysterious details of Gino's final days. pic.twitter.com/pzXDrgZs2A

— Dark Side of the Ring (@DarkSideOfRing) May 8, 2019

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Stardom announced that they have pulled the previously announced Toni Storm vs. Bea Priestley match from the card of their May 16th event in Tokyo, Japan due to “circumstances beyond our control.” Fightful’s Jeremy Lambert reported that it is currently not known if Toni Storm’s removal from the event was due to the restrictions her NXT UK contract.

Major League Wrestling reportedly have recently signed Tristen Thai to a contract with the company and have also signed a contract extension with Salina de la Renta for several more years.

Impact Wrestling announced tickets for this year’s Slammiversary event on June 7th in Dallas, Texas will officially go on sale starting on May 17th for VIP packages and May 20th for the general public. At the moment, the official venue for the event has not been announced.