Mike & JD Show Ep. 82 | AEW vs. NXT Ratings Battle, WWE Executive Shake-Up, and Malakai Black’s Future

Voices of Wrestling Podcast Network

For Episode 82 of The Mike & JD Show, Mike and JD dig into a packed lineup of wrestling news and analysis, including AEW and NXT's ongoing ratings battle, big changes in WWE’s executive ranks, and speculation on Malakai Black’s future in AEW.

Episode Breakdown:

AEW vs. NXT: Ratings Battle: AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT squared off head-to-head, with NXT attracting 619,000 viewers, boosted by the nostalgic 2300 Arena setting and ECW legend appearances. AEW, meanwhile, saw a notable dip, drawing 523,000 viewers—a low since June. We’ll break down viewer trends, quarter-hour performances, and the possible factors behind each show’s ratings.

WWE Executive Shake-Up: Long-time WWE creative forces Bruce Prichard and Michael Hayes have temporarily stepped away due to personal reasons. These two have been cornerstones of WWE’s storytelling for decades, and their absence may lead to shifts in the creative landscape. We examine what this could mean for WWE’s future programming.

Malakai Black’s Future in AEW: Speculation about Malakai Black’s future grew after his main event match against Adam Cole, but Black has since addressed the rumors, clarifying his commitment to AEW. We discuss Black’s career trajectory and what his continued involvement means for the House of Black.

WWE ID Program: A New Talent Pipeline - WWE’s new WWE ID program is scouting talent from affiliated schools and promotions, spotlighting emerging wrestlers like Zayda Steel, Bryce Donovan, and Cappuccino Jones. We explore what the program means for WWE’s future roster.

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