WWE: More on Jacob Fatu’s WWE Debut at 6/21 SmackDown Show, Brooks Jensen WWE Contract Update, More on NXT June 18, 2024 Viewership, More News

Jun 22, 2024

More on Jacob Fatu’s Surprise WWE Debut at Friday’s SmackDown Show

As noted before, Friday’s WWE SmackDown show featured former Major League Wrestling talent Jacob Fatu making his surprise official debut in WWE.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that Fatu has made immediate good impressions with WWE officials and has had a very respectful demeanor towards everyone backstage.

It was reported that Fatu has never wrestled outside of the United States and the reason was due to MLW sources had previously stated it was due to his criminal record over issues from when he was younger. It was reported that it is currently not known if that will be the case moving forward for him in WWE. Those spoken to within WWE reportedly stated that the hefty amount of international PLEs and television tapings WWE has had in the spring and summer was a likely hurdle to him being able to debut sooner

WWE officials’ issues with Fatu’s criminal record history reportedly had previously been the primary reason why he was not signed sooner but WWE’s new regime has long been interested in him.

Update on Brooks Jensen WWE Contract Status

As noted before, NXT talent Brooks Jensen is currently involved in a storyline revolving around his issues with NXT management and NXT head booker Shawn Michaels.

Jensen recently commented on Twitter claiming that his contract with WWE “expired” on Friday and he is a free agent. Jensen stated

“Hey guys, I’m back. So we’re one day away. Tomorrow marks Ben Buchanan being a free agent. What a journey it’s been. I want to thank each and every single one of you for being part of my journey. All the way from when I started at 16 years old to now. It’s just been an experience. Oh, God, I have some great news. This Saturday, I had my first independent booking. That’s right. I got my first match this Saturday. You know I can’t celebrate without a drink, right? Hold on. Salute. But guys, once again, Thank you for being part of this and I cannot wait to share more of my journey with all of you.”

In a follow-up tweet, Jensen stated:

“First off I just want to say sorry.. I’m sorry for how I’ve behaved myself on here and I’m just deeply sorry for making an ass out of myself. As you have heard, today I’m no longer with the WWE as my non compete clause is officially up. This has been one hell of a ride and I’m forever thankful and grateful for the friendship this line of work has brought and for letting meet my future wife. So with that being said, thank you all for supporting me and being here with me through these times but today is only the beginning of the future of Ben Buchanan.”

In regards to Jensen’s actual contract status with WWE, Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that Jensen is still under contract with WWE but will be working some indie dates in order to help sell the storyline.

(Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

More on NXT Viewership for June 18, 2024

The June 18th episode of WWE NXT saw NXT gain a small increase in key demographic ratings and a slight increase in overall viewership.

NXT drew 724,000 viewers and a 0.26 key demographic rating on USA Network. NXT’s key demographic ranking was 1st place.

Detailed key demographic viewership breakdowns were not available in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave Meltzer reported that the main reasons for NXT’s increases this week was due to the large gains from their overall male key demographic viewership group, which was up 35.4% compared to last week’s show. This reportedly offset the stiff sports competition that night from the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals game and the large decline from their overall female key demographic viewership group, which was down 12.6% compared to last week’s show. Meltzer reported that NXT’s key demographic viewership was its highest since the October 10, 2023 show.

In terms of notable head-to-head competition, the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals Game 5 of Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers drew 4,150,000 viewers on ABC, the MLB game of Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees drew 410,000 viewers on TBS, Secret Skinwalker Ranch drew 1,464,000 viewers on History Channel, Chopped drew 405,000 viewers on Food Network, Catfish drew 346,000 viewers on MTV, and Deadliest Catch drew 777,000 viewers on Discovery Channel, and Real Housewives of Dubai drew 308,000 viewers on BRAVO.

In terms of key demographic viewership, NXT had 341,000 viewers. Meltzer reported that NXT’s males/female viewership split was 70.6% in favor of males.

In terms of peak viewership, NXT’s peak overall viewership was at 807,000 viewers for the quarter hour featuring the NXT Championship #1 Contender 25-Man Battle Royal match. NXT’s peak key demographic viewership was at 369,000 viewers for the quarter hour featuring the NXT Women’s North American Championship match of Michin vs. Kelani Jordan (c) and the Wes Lee & Oba Femi in-ring promo segment. NXT’s overrun reportedly was 721,000 overall viewers and 348,000 key demo viewers for the ending to the Je’Von Evans vs. Ethan Page match & post-match brawl with Shawn Spears & Trick Williams.

In terms of yearly comparisons, NXT was down 6.3% in overall viewership but up 12.2% in key demographic viewership.

WWE News & Notes

As noted before, this past Monday’s WWE RAW show in Corpus Christi featured Drew McIntyre “quitting” WWE over his issues with CM Punk costing him the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Clash at the Castle 2024. Friday’s WWE SmackDown show in Rosemont, Illinois featured McIntyre making his first appearance since “quitting” WWE. During the show it was announced that McIntyre will be making an appearance at this Monday’s WWE RAW show in Indianapolis, Indiana. Following the show, McIntyre reactivated his social media accounts and posted a tweet in response to his attack on CM Punk on the show.

In regards to Drew McIntyre’s “quitting WWE” storyline, Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that this was not something done as a way to write off McIntyre so that he could go back home due to his wife’s heath issue and instead it had been planned by WWE officials well ahead of time. Meltzer reported that the timing of the start of the angle ended up working out very good for McIntyre.

As noted before, Monday’s WWE RAW show in Corpus Christi, Texas featured Uncle Howdy making his surprise return and the Wyatt Sicks making their surprise debut to WWE. Among the “victims” shown from the Wyatt Sicks’ backstage attack for their debut reveal was Chad Gable, which led to WWE later pulling him from his scheduled Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Triple Threat match for next week’s RAW show. RAW General Manager Adam Pearce provided an update on Twitter on Friday stating that Gable was medically cleared to compete and has been officially added back to the Qualifying match for next week’s RAW show on June 24th.

As noted before, Thursday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show featured an implied off-screen appearance by the Wyatt Sicks and the show abruptly ending after the lights in the studio had shut off. At the start of Friday’s show, host Pat McAfee stated that the studio had suffered an eerie power outage as the reason why Thursday’s show abruptly ended. At the end of the show, the feed was interrupted and a message displayed stating “You Lied” before the shut abruptly ended again.

In a recent response to fan questions on Instagram, MVP stated that the reason why Hurt Business did not reunite as a group following Vince McMahon’s resignation from WWE is due to WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque does not want to bring the group back nor is the current regime interested in reviving the group. (Source: Fightful.com)

NXT talent Tavion Heights recently released a video on Instagram asking NXT talents at WWE’s Performance Center about who they feel currently has the best theme music in WWE. One of the talents who gave their thoughts was Edris Enofe who responded stating “Best walkout song… Right now… probably… anything that is not Def Rebel.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

WWE announced three new matches for the card of next week’s WWE SmackDown show at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York:

Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Triple Threat match – Candice LeRae vs. Jade Cargill vs. Tiffany Stratton
Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Triple Threat match – Naomi vs. Blair Davenport vs. Indi Hartwell
Momen’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Triple Threat match – LA Knight vs. Logan Paul vs. Santos Escobar

WWE also recently announced one new match for the card of next week’s NXT show on June 25th:

Trick Williams vs. Shawn Spears