WWE: Backstage Mood at PC, WWE Network’s Free Access & UK Update, Updated SD Ratings

More on WWE Resuming Live Tapings at the Performance Center

As noted before, WWE resumed live production of their weekly shows at their Performance Center starting with this Monday’s episode of RAW.

WrestleVotes reported that the general mood backstage during Monday’s RAW television taping was one of uncertainty with several talent knowing they shouldn’t be there due to the on-going coronavirus situation in Florida. It was also reported that the general feeling backstage is even if talent were to start pulling out, the company has a large enough roster to simply replace them and continue on with their plans for live shows.

Source states mood at the PC today is that of uncertainty. Many know they shouldn’t be there, but realize this is their job.

And as unfortunate as it may sound, they can all pull out 1 by 1, and the show will still go on. WWE will always have a big enough roster to continue.

— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) April 13, 2020

WWE Network Free Access Period and NXT On-Demand in UK Update

As noted before, WWE offered free access to their WWE Network for a “limited time” that started on March 23rd. This offer was different than a regular monthly free trial due to it not requiring a sign up for a Network subscription and only a portion of the Network’s library was made available for free.

WWE ended the free access period to their WWE Network on Monday and all content that was once free has reverted back to being exclusive to Network subscribers.

WWE also recently made a change to their WWE Network service in the United Kingdom regarding the status of weekly NXT episodes. WWE’s Ask WWE Network Twitter account announced that new episodes of NXT will now only be uploaded to the Network seven days after its original airing date on television.

Hi! Thank you for reaching out. Please be advised that NXT will be available on WWE Network on demand 7 days after it’s original airing date in your location. Thank you! ^WA

— Ask WWE Network (@AskWWENetwork) April 11, 2020

The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported that this recent change for NXT also affects certain other countries due to the terms in WWE’s television contracts that protect local stations television rights in those countries.

Updated WWE Friday Night SmackDown Ratings

This past Friday’s episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown drew a final viewership of 2,317,000 on FOX, according to Showbuzz Daily. This was up compared to the initial overnight number of 2,304,000 viewers on the network.