Chairshot Wrestling News Shuffle: RAW Ratings, AJ Styles, Dark Side Of The Ring And More! (7/24/2019)

News Here! RAW Ratings, AJ Styles, Dark Side Of The Ring And More!

Dark Side Of The Ring Renewed

When Dark Side Of The Ring debuted on the Viceland network earlier this year, it became a critically acclaimed program, lauded by fans and critics. The Twitter account of Viceland announced today that the show has been renewed for a second season.

Season 2 of the series will have “almost double the initial episode order, with 10 hour-long examinations of the collision of fantasy and reality and the stars’ larger-than-life characters in and out of the ring from returning executive producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener,” per the VICE Media and A&E-owned network.

We are super excited to officially announce we are a go for season 2! Thank you all for tuning in, supporting the show and truly making this a reality. 🙏⛓ https://t.co/x1SMQGYjDq

— Dark Side of the Ring (@DarkSideOfRing) July 23, 2019

Jason’s Take

I loved the first season of this show. It’s an independent, non-WWE, look into so some of the tragic and darker moments in professional wrestling. If you haven’t had a chance to, you should check it out.

AJ Styles On Re-Signing With WWE

This past winter, AJ Styles chose to re-sign with WWE, rather than jumping to AEW or NJPW. Today, AJ Styles spoke with Sporting News as to why he decided to re-sign with the company.

“I knew that the next contract that I will sign will be my last. I’m getting older and I don’t want to embarrass myself if I don’t have to. That’s why it was important that I made the right decision and I did. I definitely, 100 percent made the right decision in staying with WWE. They’ve taken care of me since I’ve been here. They’ve shown me nothing but respect, so it worked out.”

Jason’s Take

I know the reasoning will hurt a lot of AEW fans, but WWE doesn’t always treat it’s wrestlers like garbage. I’m sure Styles got himself a nice pay day, and, the WWE has done a good job with his character since he debuted with the company.

RAW Viewership Increases

One of the reasons for WWE hosting the RAW Reunion this week was due to USA demanding it due to lot ratings. If the goal was to draw ratings, then it worked as RAW drew its highest rating of 2019. The hourly breakdown is as follows:

• 8pm – 3.019 million
• 9pm – 3.178 million
• 10pm – 3.083 million

Jason’s Take

No real surprise to see an increase here as these niche episodes of RAW always seem to draw ratings. But, ratings have seemed to improve the last few weeks, so maybe this is a sign of things to come ?

Seth Rollins/Jon Moxley Heat ?

Recently you may remember the Twitter spat between Seth Rollins and Will Ospreay. Rollins defended the WWE stating they had the best wrestlers in the world, while Ospreay disagreed. Rollins recently did a media call to help hyper SummerSlam, and not only did he defend WWE, but appeared to take a shot at Jon Moxley.

“I was surprised by it for sure. I knew Ambrose needed some time away from WWE but the thing is, he just loves wrestling, he loves the industry, he just wanted some freedom and do his own thing and that happens, you know? And that happens for everybody and I understand his position and why he wanted to go over there and that’s on him. But, now he’s competition, now he’s the one trying to take dinner off my table so good on him but we’re going to do our best to continue to be the best here at WWE and those guys want to step up to the big leagues to give it a shot? Then by all means but we’re going to knock them dead just like we do everybody else.”

Jason’s Take

I would expect someone who just came off a huge world title push to say this about the company he works for. However, Rollins has always seemed to be genuine in his thoughts and opinions, and he isn’t wrong with saying AEW is trying to take bread off his table.