WWE: Update on Lack of Plans for CM Punk Potential Return, Survivor Series 2023 News, More on NXT Nov. 21, 2023 Viewership

Nov 25, 2023

WWE Reportedly Still Does Not Have Plans for CM Punk’s Potential Return Nor for Survivor Series 2023

As noted before, WWE is currently believed to still not be interested CM Punk returning to the company following his firing from AEW this past September nor have any plans for a potential return at tonight’s Survivor Series 2023 event in Punk’s hometown of Chicago.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that several top talent had been recently informed outright by WWE officials that there were no actual plans in place for Punk to return to the company at tonight’s event. It was reported that some of the those informed are at the level where it would not make sense for WWE officials to lie to them nor would it be beneficial for the mood of the backstage locker room.

It was also reported that the recent rumors and reports of Punk having a meeting with a WWE Board of Directors member was debunked by their sources, who stated there was no such thing ever planned or discussed. It was reported that there is no longer a WWE Board and instead its a TKO Board running the company now.

WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2023 News & Notes

WrestleTix reported that WWE has distributed around 16,809 as of Saturday afternoon for tonight’s Survivor Series WarGames 2023 event at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.

WrestleVotes reported that their sources stated that WWE’s official program book for Survivor Series 2023 features both Authors of Pain and NXT talents Gallus among those profiled in the book. It was reported that no other talent from WWE’s NXT developmental brand was featured in this book. It was speculated that both teams could be heading to WWE’s main roster very soon as a result.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that former WWE talents Maryse and Tyler Breeze were seen in Chicago earlier today ahead of tonight’s Survivor Series WarGames 2023 event.

Denise Salcedo held a recent interview with Zoey Stark. One of the topics discussed included Stark’s thoughts about her upcoming match against Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s World Championship at tonight’s Survivor Series WarGames 2023 event. Stark stated “Oh, I’m really excited for this one. Before I even came to the main roster, I said I’ve always wanted to really wrestle Ripley and to be able to have a good storyline with her. And now we’re actually here. It’s that time for it. So I’m completely ready and I’m prepared for it. And we’re gonna have a hard-hitting match and it’s going to be exciting.” (Transcript h/t: F4WOnline.com)

More on NXT Viewership for November 21, 2023

The November 21st episode of WWE NXT saw NXT suffer a large decline in overall viewership and a slight decline in key demographic ratings. This week’s show was notable for being a taped show and not a live show.

NXT drew 622,000 viewers and a 0.19 key demographic rating on USA Network. NXT’s key demographic ranking for that night is currently not known.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the main reasons for NXT’s declines this week was due to the Thanksgiving week holiday and the large declines from their younger key demographic viewership and older female key demographic viewership groups, which were down 28.7% and 22.2% respectively compared to last week’s show. This reportedly offset the large gains from their older male key demographic viewership group, which was up 22.9% compared to last week’s show.

In terms of notable head-to-head competition, the NBA game of Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers drew 1,547,000 viewers on TNT, the College Basketball game of Purdue vs. Tennessee drew 1,392,000 viewers on ESPN, the College Football game of Eastern Michigan vs. Buffalo drew 384,000 viewers on ESPN2, Curse of Oak Island drew 2,446,000 viewers on History Channel, Catfish drew 425,000 viewers on MTV, My Big Fat Fabulous Lie drew 673,000 viewers on TLC, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City drew 474,000 viewers on BRAVO, and Wipeout drew 393,000 viewers on TBS.

In terms of key demographic viewership, NXT had 246,000 viewers. NXT’s Males 18-34 was 48,000 viewers (down 31.4%), Females 18-34 was 38,000 viewers (down 26.9%), Males 35-49 was 118,000 viewers (up 22.9%), and Females 35-49 was 42,000 viewers (down 22.2%). Meltzer reported that NXT’s male/female viewership split was 166,000 male viewers and 80,000 female viewers for a split of 67.5% in favor of males.

In terms of yearly comparisons, NXT was down 0.3% in overall viewership but up 62.9% in key demographic viewership. Meltzer reported that NXT’s 18-34 viewership was up 50% compared to the same week last year.