WWE Raw And Smackdown Backstage News For June 23-28

WWE Raw

Wyatt Sicks were not listed on the rundown internally.

Zeuxis Wins Phase One of 2024 Women's Universal Title Eliminator On CMLL Viernes Espectacular

WWE were touting the Smackdown viewership number heavily internally.

WWE had numerous media obligations Monday, from Pat McAfee show to

Authors of Pain were listed as "AOP" recently, but we're told there's nothing to that and those are interchangeable on formats. Many of the listings used to be very strict.

OVW's Luke Kurtis was one of the security guards for Chad Gable on Raw. He's made numerous appearances as an extra on WWE and TNA TV recently. Deonn Rusman was also utilized.

Producers

Bron Breakker vs. Ludwig Kaiser: Abyss

MITB Qualifier: Shayna Baszler vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Kairi Sane: Petey Williams

Liv Morgan-Zelina promo: TJ Wilson

MITB Qualifier: Chad Gable vs. Bronson Reed vs. Braun Strowman: Jason Jordan

Alba & Isla vs. Katana & Kayden: TJ Wilson

Seth Rollins-Damian Priest promo: Adam Pearce

Kofi Kingston vs. Karrion Kross: Shawn Daivari

Awesome Truth vs. Judgment Day: Michael Hayes & Bobby Roode

Main Event Producers

Akira Tozawa vs. Joaquin Wilde: Adam Pearce

Creed Brothers vs. AOP: Adam Pearce

Smackdown

  • Damian Priest was scheduled for the main event dark match against Jey Uso. He couldn't make it due to travel woes.
  • WWE Speed was set up where the winner of Nathan Frazer vs. Xavier Woods faced Andrade. There are spoilers below.
  • Nick Khan was at WWE's MSG show
  • Wes Lee was backstage at the show. Though Elektra Lopez, Tegan Nox and Cedric Alexander weren’t used, they were in New York for Smackdown. Oro Mensah was as well.
  • There were "we want Dijak" chants at MSG ahead of the show. See our interview at this link.
  • Marcus Mathers, Channing Thomas and Facade all served as security guards. Facade took the RKO
  • Lin Manuel Miranda was at WWE Smackdown

There was frustration by several WWE sources we spoke to over the heavy censorship and editing on Smackdown. One longtime WWE talent who wasn't on Smackdown saw our tweet regarding being excited for Smackdown to move back to USA and said "it's a chore to watch sometimes. I understand censoring 'fuck the Pacers,' but it feels like every segment is edited and it makes us look like it's our production."

WWE sources tell us the door remains open for Kayla Braxton/Becker to return in the future. She is no longer under contract to WWE and finished up on Friday.

Needless to say, WWE was over the moon regarding the reception for their MSG Smackdown show.

One of the reasons for a censor on Smackdown was a fan flipping off Nia Jax. Another was a "fuck the Pacers" chant.

WWE expect to have Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson featured on shows in the future when it works for each of them.

Producers

Bloodline, Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens & Randy Orton segment: Michael Hayes

MITB Qualifier: Jade Cargill vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Candice LeRae: Jamie Noble & Molly Holly

MITB Qualifier: LA Knght vs. Logan Paul vs. Santos Escobar: Shane Helms

MITB Qualifier: Naomi vs. Indi Hartwell vs. Blair Davenport: Jason Jordan

Bloodline Acknowledgement Ceremony: Michael Hayes

Other Producers

WWE Speed: Xavier Woods vs. Nathan Frazer: Nick Aldis

WWE Speed: Xavier Woods vs. Andrade: Nick Aldis

Dark Match: Awesome Truth vs. Finn Balor & JD McDonagh was changed to Pretty Deadly vs. Awesome Truth was produced by Jason Jordan

Dark Match: Damian Priest vs. Jey Uso was changed to Finn Balor vs. Jey Uso and was produced by Jason Jordan

Spoiler: Andrade defeated Woods

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