As the WWE universe gears up for the highly anticipated Survivor Series WarGames 2023, one major rumor has been firmly put to rest. Despite speculative whispers and the event unfolding in Chicago, CM Punk’s hometown, WWE officials have made it clear that there are no plans for Punk’s return at tonight’s spectacle. This information comes from sources within Fightful Select, asserting that top talent has been informed by WWE that Punk, the former WWE superstar and recently departed AEW talent, is not expected to be part of the evening’s proceedings.
Furthermore, the notion of Punk having a meeting with a WWE Board of Directors member has been dismissed, as there is no WWE Board currently in operation, having been replaced by a TKO Board.
As WWE continues to refine the night’s lineup, WrestleTix has reported an impressive ticket distribution, with roughly 16,809 seats filled as of the eve of the event at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. Fans can look forward to potential main roster advancements, as WrestleVotes reveals both the Authors of Pain and NXT’s Gallus were featured in the official Survivor Series program book – a strong indication of their upcoming promotions.
Adding to the mix of tonight’s Survivor Series WarGames excitement, former WWE talents Maryse and Tyler Breeze have been sighted in the Windy City, as reported by PWInsider’s Mike Johnson. This raises curiosity about their possible involvement or presence at the event.
In an interview with Denise Salcedo, Zoey Stark expressed her enthusiasm for her championship match against Rhea Ripley, predicting a thrilling and hard-hitting contest for the WWE Women’s World Championship. Stark’s anticipation epitomizes the high-stakes environment that Survivor Series is known for, promising unforgettable clashes to the WWE fanbase.
While the main roster stages for high-impact action, NXT has faced challenges, as reported by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The November 21 episode recorded a notable drop in viewership, attracting just 622,000 viewers on the USA Network, paired with a slight dip in key demographic ratings. Contributing factors include the holiday week and decreased viewership among younger and older female demographics, despite an increase in older male viewers.
In the shadow of significant broadcasts such as the NBA’s Cavaliers vs. 76ers and various college sports, NXT managed to pull in a considerable number of viewers in the key demographics, though the male-female split highlighted a predominance of male viewers.
WWE’s developmental brand may have faced a setback in viewership year-over-year, but it still holds strong in key demographic ratings. As Survivor Series unfolds and new stars potentially ascend from NXT to the main stage, WWE continues to navigate the complex dance of audience engagement and fresh talent introduction. Tonight, however, the focus is on WarGames, and the WWE Universe eagerly awaits the high-octane drama that is sure to unfold.
