4 Wrestling rumors we hope are true and 3 we hope aren't: 3-Time World Champion set for AEW debut next week, Underutilized star requests WWE release

#1 Hope isn't true: FOX unhappy with WWE over SmackDown?

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SmackDown has become WWE's undisputed A-Show over the course of the last year. With the biggest stars and moments being put on the blue brand, as well as both of WrestleMania 37's main events being from SmackDown, it's safe to assume that it has overtaken RAW.

That is, of course, because of the mammoth five-year, $1-billion deal that the comapny is getting from FOX. Starting from October 2019, there are still a few more years left in the deal.

However, with $200 million a year going to WWE for broadcasting rights for SmackDown alone, FOX expects high ratings in return. According to a report from Sean Ross Sapp on Fightful Select, FOX isn't happy with the company over SmackDown viewership

Sportskeeda's Jeremy Bennett wrote:

On Friday, Fightful Select posted a lengthy report that detailed some disappointment by FOX on its viewership of SmackDown. However, it also stated that the relationship between the two parties is not as strained, contrary to earlier reports in the year.

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We hope this isn't true because the entire pandemic must be taken into account. For 16 months, WWE had to hold shows behind closed doors, and that has largely played a part in potentially declining ratings.

About the author

Rohit Nath is a content writer from Bangalore, India. A former full-time employee of Sportskeeda, Rohit was a part of building Sportskeeda's WWE section in its rapid growth. His work has been featured in both Sportskeeda and Wrestlezone.

Some of the big names interviewed by Rohit are AJ Styles, Jinder Mahal, Jimmy Uso and Sasha Banks. Some of his popular weekly features include RAW Preview, "X things Subtly told us" and "Wrestling rumors we hope are true and those we hope aren't".

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Edited by Alan John