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Shawn Michaels Working NXT Live Events This Weekend
Shawn Michaels indicated on Twitter that he will be working the NXT Live Events this weekend in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
PWInsider reports that Michaels will be working as a producer at these events. While Michaels has been helping out at the performance center, this will be his first time on the road with the yellow brand.
Vince Russo’s The Brand Recap – Ranallo Returns, Snow vs. Meltzer, Ellsworth’s Heat Leads to Rise in Smackdown Viewership, More!
Russo is joined on today’s show by his co-host Jeff Lane, Glenn Gilbertti (Disco Inferno), and Konnan.
Russo opens today’s show by discussing the rise in viewership for Smackdown Live this past week. The blue brand’s viewership increased by 500,000 last week and he believes that was a direct result of the booking from Sunday’s Money in the Bank PPV, specifically the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
Konnan agrees and although he thinks the finish could have been done better, it accomplished its goal of drawing attention to the brand. Russo points out that when you tell stories and leave viewers wondering, they will tune into the next show to see what happens.
Gilbertti says that the fan backlash over that finish was silly to begin with. He says the problem with the wrestling industry right now is that there are too few experts, and the actual experts are criticized and ridiculed by people who consider themselves experts simply because they’ve watched a lot of wrestling.
Reason Why Tom Phillips Was Replaced on 205 Live
As seen on this week’s episode of 205 Live, former House of Hardcore announcer Vic Joseph made his debut at the broadcasting booth for the brand. He will be replacing Tom Phillips moving forward.
The reason Vic replaced Tom on 205 Live is because the company wants Tom to focus on other duties in the company and he has a lot on his plate with being the lead announcer for SmackDown Live. With Vic is on the rise within the company, the belief is that he is the perfect replacement. Since arriving in the company, Vic has worked on WWE Main Event and NXT in a short time. The company is very high on his work and that’s why Vic has been chosen as Tom’s replacement.
Tom posted the following on Twitter regarding Vic’s new role on weekly WWE television:
WWE 205 Live Results – 6 June 2017
Welcome to the fastest hour on television, 205 Live!
Two nights ago at WWE Extreme Rules Neville battled Austin Aries in a submission match and retained his Cruiserweight Championship. That marked the third time Neville bested Aries and the end of their series. Last night on Raw, TJP asked Neville to hold his end of the bargain and give him a title shot. Neville spoke to Kurt Angle about it, then attacked TJP before telling him he had his shot.
So, on tonight’s show, TJP gets a shot at Neville’s Cruiserweight Championship in what is sure to be a great match and take up the majority of the program. We may also hear from Austin Aries, who is in need of a new direction after losing again.
Also on tonight’s show, will Akira Tozawa join The Titus Brand? And is the drama between Rich Swann and Noam Dar really finished.