The decision to keep Velocity and Heat on the air internationally and on WWE.com was rather last minute. The original plan was for there to be another round of talent cuts, and a new show called “WWE Underground” to be taped at RAW and SD and be a more risqué online-only show. Underground, which was alluded to by Linda McMahon at a recent investor conference call, has been tabled.
With the 9/23 SD getting a 3.0 fast national (approx. 4.45 million viewers), UPN doubled viewership it was getting previously on Friday nights. Additionally, on Thursdays, the Everybody Hates Chris-led comedy block averaged a 4.6, bringing UPN triple the ad revenue it was getting from Smackdown.
Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter (click here for subscription information)
