Backstage updates on The Rock and Cena, topsy-turvy times for Smackdown, WWE filming

“The Great One” and “The Face that Runs the Place”

- It is a shame SmackDown is referred to as the b show these days as there was a time when it surpassed the quality of television dished out by RAW on a weekly basis. It has turned into a predictable bore-fest and that reflects on the ratings.

The usual trend has been dismal ratings for Smackdown, but this week saw a welcome boost in the same. SmackDown ranked #4 in the non-sporting section. It stood fourth behind Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder, Heroes Reborn and Grey’s Anatomy. It had a unique audience of 643,000, which is a great improvement from last week’s ratings of 439,000.

The total impressions for the show stood at 1.892 million, which is an increase from last week’s 1.402 million times the show was tweeted on Twitter. Seem’s like the current progression of storylines and solid wrestling on SmackDown is reaping benefits.

- In what is a huge development when it comes to the status of Rock’s much-hyped return, the WWE moved his name from the Alumni roster of the WWE Shop website to the normal section. It is a subtle hint that the Rock’s return is imminent and would be happening soon.

The WWE team is also working on various marketing strategies and ideas for The Rock and US Champ John Cena as per reports.

When it comes to Cena’s talked about hiatus he has been pulled out of the 10-day European tour and is not advertised for the RAW episodes for November 16th and 23rd. He has also been pulled out of the live events to be held in December and would be taking a break till the end of the year due to personal reasons according to reports. There is no word on his return either. He is also on scheduled to be on the RAW episode post-Hell In A Cell.

- WWE HQ’s in Stamford was graced by the presence of referee John Cone, JBL and Sasha Banks for the filming of a new WWE Network show. Below are the photos:

Sasha Banks has been absent from WWE TV for the past few weeks and it seems this is what is keeping her busy.

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