Bischoff on Wrestling Recap – WWE’s Aging Fanbase, Free Agent John Cena, Cornette vs. Russo, More!

Bischoff comments on the Sports Business Journal’s recent report, which suggested that the median age of wrestling fans has grown to 54 years old. In his opinion, the median age of wrestling fans is closer to mid 40’s, based on some research that he has seen over the last couple of years. Either way, that’s probably a higher number than WWE would like.

He points out that some people still wish that WWE would return to a more mature style of programming, but sponsors write the cheques, and they want WWE to target a younger demographic. Younger audiences are always preferable for sponsors, because older people don’t spend money as freely. As long as the sponsors demand WWE to continue with PG programming, that’s exactly what they’ll do.

Bischoff points out that IMPACT Wrestling’s audience is made of up mostly older male viewers. Because of this, he says that sponsors can probably get commercial time on PopTV for $49 a spot during an IMPACT showing. Older audiences, specifically males, simply don’t spend money.

Bischoff comments on the fact that ICW from Ireland has pulled their video library from the FITE TV app, and they’re the first independent promotion to be announced as moving their library to the WWE Network. Bischoff thinks this is very interesting, because WWE has always ignored all of their competition in the past. He’s intrigued to see how this relationship plays out.

Crazzy Steve & Others to Receive WWE Tryout This Month

WWE revealed the following list of talents who will receive a tryout at the WWE Performance Center later this month:

Hunter McIntyre: “Obstacle course racer. The reigning champion of Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge competition series and a decorated Spartan Race runner.”

Amarlo Herrera: “A 250-pound linebacker from the University of Georgia who was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.”

Noke Tago: “A 300-pound defensive tackle from American Samoa who played at Oregon State.”

Raynor Whitcombe: “6-foot-2, 230-pounds. A New Zealand-born football player-turned-bodybuilder who was the first-place winner of the 2015 BodySpace Spokesmodel Search.”

Denzel DeJournette: “A 6-foot-3, 265-pound All-American wrestler from Appalachian State University who finished eighth in the NCAA heavyweight wrestling championships.”

Nicolai Salchow: “6-foot-1, 205-pounds. A Brazilian-born, German-raised kickboxer and grappler who is 6-1 in professional MMA fights.”

Lindsey Kelly: “Crossfit competitor. A former swimmer at the University of Arizona who has deadlifted 410 pounds and squatted 315 pounds, according to her CrossFit profile.”

Reginald Gibbs: “A 275-pound, Georgia-based independent wrestler and protege of WWE Superstar Mr. Hughes who competes as “Odinson” in the southeast region.”

Brothers Arthur and Josh Haug: “Arthur Haug was a four-sport athlete in high school and a former bodybuilding champion who has trained with Impact Pro Wrestling. Josh Haug was a three-time letter winner as a wrestler at the University of Iowa, a 2016 national qualifier and an Academic All-American.”

Nick Brewer: “Minnesota powerlifter, a 295-pounder who has been known to bend horseshoes and roll up steel frying pans with his bare hands. At the 2009 London Strongest Man competition, he pulled a firetruck.”

Vernon Willis: “A 6-foot-4, 275-pound California state wrestling champion.”

Andrew Cavanna: “A 6-foot-1, 220-pound Connecticut weightlifting champion and five-time wrestling champion.”

Briana Brandy: “A hip-hop artist who has performed with the likes of Soulja Boy and Ying Yang Twins, and trains in MMA and CrossFit.”

Cody Deaner: “A multi-time heavyweight champion in Canada who once faced Kurt Angle on SmackDown in 2004.”

“Crazzy Steve” Steve Scott: “A 14-year veteran from Ontario who received training under NXT’s Eric Young.”

Paul ‘PB Smooth’ Bilbo: “6-foot-9. From Erie, Pa., a former college basketball player who has wrestled for Cleveland-based Absolute Intense Wrestling and CWF Mid-Atlantic in North Carolina.”

Matt King: “A 23-year-old, 6-foot-5, 250-pound model and independent wrestler from Atlanta who competes as “Raphael King”.

Troy Russell: “6-foot-6, a graduate of Lance Storm’s wrestling academy who trains at the famous DeFranco’s Gym.”

Tehuti Miles: “A 210-pound U.S. Army veteran who served in Afghanistan and played for the University of Maryland football team.”

Quelton Toliver: “A 20-year-old, 6-foot-4, 265-pound wrestler from Missouri.”

Brothers Morgan and Christopher Hill: “Football players-turned-fitness models from Las Vegas.”

Elena Pogosyan: “A 24-year-old journalist-turned-wrestler who trained under WWE Hall of Famer Johnny Rodz and has wrestled for almost two years.”

Jeslen Mishelle: “A three-year wrestling veteran and blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu who competes on the West Coast under the alias ‘Desi Derata.’”

Nikii Duke: “A 24-year old bodybuilder, International Federation of Physique Athletes pro, and World Beauty Fitness and Fashion bikini competitor.”

Mike Taverna: “Twenty-five-year-old from New York City, who has wrestled in Chaotic Wrestling, Chikara and New York Wrestling Connection, among other groups.”

Marquis Carter: “A U.S. Army veteran who was deployed once to Afghanistan and twice to Korea, and has officiated in several Florida wrestling organizations.”

Haley Kate Yellin: “A fitness model with a background in dance, track and taekwondo.”

Will Cuevas: “A California-based independent wrestler, former referee and U.S. Marine Corps veteran who is a former All Pro Wrestling Worldwide Internet Champion.”

Blake Dees: “A 240-pound former college football player who played linebacker at Texas Tech and South Alabama.”

Micas Harris: “A 28-year-old independent wrestler from Indiana who played semi-pro football.”

Marshall “Solo” WilliamsZach Johnson: “6-foot-5, 240-pounds. An independent wrestler from North Carolina for whom this was a second WWE tryout.”

Michael Richards: “From New Zealand, a 6-foot-2 independent wrestler who has trained in the Ring of Honor Dojo.”

Joe Maples: “A 6-foot-3, 285-pound former college football player. He made appearances in three Bowl Games as a member of the University of Missouri football team.”

Haley Tipton: “A 24-year-old model and former Junior Olympics beach volleyball player.”

Rawle Chichester: “A 6-foot-2, 245-pound wrestler with six years’ experience.”

Abigail Burgdorf: “A college track athlete who is also an active powerlifter.”

WWE Reveals Four Names for the Mae Young Classic

WWE announced the first four names for the July 13th and July 14th Mae Young Classic tournament. They wrote the following on their website:

Toni Storm is the first and reigning PROGRESS Women’s Champion in the United Kingdom. Already an eight-year veteran, Storm has carved out a reputation worldwide: Born in New Zealand, raised in Australia and based in the U.K., she wrestled in 13 countries before age 20, capturing championships along the way.

Lacey Evans, of Parris Island, S.C., is a familiar face to WWE Network subscribers. A newcomer inside the yellow ropes of NXT, Evans joined the WWE Performance Center in April 2016. Prior to pursuing sports-entertainment, she served in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years, including time spent as military police and a member of the Special Reactions Team, which is the Marine equivalent of a SWAT Team.

Sarah Logan is an NXT competitor and recruit at the Performance Center. She began her in-ring career on the U.S. independent scene in 2011, and quickly gained notoriety for her rough-and-tumble fights. She refined her skills in Japan under former WWE Light Heavyweight Champion Taka Michinoku before signing with WWE in October 2016. Logan, who has also won Olympic powerlifting competitions, made her NXT TV debut earlier this year.

Princesa Sugehit, from Monterrey, brings 20 years’ experience to the Classic. Since turning professional in 1996, Sugehit has earned countless accolades while competing in her home country’s top organizations, CMLL and AAA. Not only that, but she has claimed the masks of numerous rivals over the year, which is considered the ultimate sign of triumph in lucha libre. She is also the current Mexican National Women’s Champion.

We revealed seventeen names the other day for the event, which you can read here.

WrestleMania Possibly Heading to London?

The Independent published an article about the possibility of WrestleMania coming to London.

In the piece, they reference a survey that WWE sent out this week to individuals that attended WrestleMania 33, asking for their interest in future venues. It listed locations like New York City and Toronto.

The article points out that the last major show held in England was SumerSlam in 1992 and it drew over 80,000 fans at the Wembley Stadium. The event headliner saw the British Bulldog defeat Bret “The Hitman” Hart for the Intercontinental Championship.

Buff Bagwell Retirement Tour Announced

The following press release was sent in:

BYE BYE BUFF DADDY
1990-2018 Retirement Tour

Woodstock, GA, May 31, 2018– Approaching his 28th year in the world of professional wrestling and sports entertainment, Marcus “BUFF the STUFF” Bagwell, or as many have referred to him over the years as his entrance music shouts “BUFF DADDY”!!! has made a definitive decision that as of May 2018 he will lace up his boots for the last time and put the block buster to rest.

When asking Buff about the retirement decision he simply said:

“When going with the Buff Daddy character I knew it was going to be a blessing and a curse.” The blessing was, it was always an over exaggerated part of me so it was easy and a lot of fun to do, but when you call yourself BUFF!! You better damn sure live it and be in that gym 4-5 times per week.

Going into my 28th year in ring performing and with injuries and a few major surgeries over these last few years I really wanted to end my in-ring career still looking and performing like Buff Bagwell.

Anchor Marcus Buff Bagwell is one of the most professional workers currently on the independent wrestling scene. His dedication to the professional wrestling world and the Buff Bagwell character goes unmatched by anyone currently working independent dates. This former 5 time WCW tag team champion and former NWO member is not only a very recognized draw to any promotion throughout the world, but goes above and beyond giving the fans and the promotion an experience to reflect on for many years to come.

For booking inquiries on Buff Bagwell, please contact MEP Worldwide Office at (330) 837.1697 or email at [email protected].