The debut of CM Punk as a special correspondent on WWE Backstage last week significantly helped the FS1 studio show’s viewership and ratings. Not counting preview editions tied to a major sporting event or SmackDown broadcast, the Nov. 19 episode was the first time the Renee Young-hosted show finished among the top 150 highest rated cable originals.
So how do you follow that up?
Tomorrow on #WWEBackstage, @TripleH joins the crew from the @WWEPC. After the success of @WWENXT at #SurvivorSeries we're sure he has a LOT to say.
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) November 26, 2019
Catch @WWE Backstage at 11p ET on @FS1. pic.twitter.com/3cXnwFf4KK
Makes sense. One of the big stories coming out of the past couple weeks has been WWE pushing NXT as an equal third brand. The promotion of the Triple H-produced show (which just so happens to air opposite AEW Dynamite every Wednesday) culminated in the black-and-gold winning the Battle for Brand Supremacy™ at Survivor Series two nights ago. Get The Game on there to talk about it.
But I wouldn’t expect any WWE-affiliated show to give away a Punk/Haitch interaction. But the Straight-Edge One will be on Backstage at some point tonight, right?
He will not be.
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) November 26, 2019
Huh.
Now, all along it’s been pretty clear Punk wouldn’t be on every week. And this is probably a bit of a lost episode, coming on the cusp of a long holiday break here in the United States. I could see the argument they didn’t want to have their big weapon on a show that might tank numbers-wise no matter what, tarnishing the narrative the Best In The World = ratings. Plus, I guess it keeps his appearances special and makes it more likely fans will seek out WWE Backstage the weeks Punk is on.
Still, kind of a bummer.
Who’s tuning in, or DVR-ing, the show tonight at 11 p.m. Eastern for RY, Booker T, Paige, and the three Hs?