As noted, WWE Backstage was among the programming and staff cuts made by FS1 last week.
Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that FOX officials made the decision last week to cut back on WWE, MMA, and boxing programming for FS1 due to feeling that FS1 was spending too much money on shows that were performing poorly in ratings.
Meltzer also reported that WWE officials were told by FOX that WWE programming on FS1, mainly reruns of old pay-per-view events and WWE Network documentaries, and SmackDown’s status on FOX will not be affected by these recent cuts.
In regards to WWE Backstage’s future, Meltzer reported that FOX currently has plans for a scaled down version of the show that would air a few times per year to hype up WWE’s major events. Despite the current plans, Meltzer reported that the current feeling from some within FOX is that the show will not be returning in any form.