WWE Network Lowdown: 30 Content Additions, Schedule Change, Cancellation?

Another week has gone by in the WWE Universe…

With it has brought another week of content from the WWE Network – we’ve had season three of Total Divas kick off, the arrival of Rock ‘n’ Wrestling, Corey Graves’ new show and another great episode of WWE NXT, as they build to their next live special on May 20th.

 

 
Rock ‘n’ Wrestling

Its arrival has been rumored since the WWE Network launched last February and this week we got to finally see an edition of Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling added to the Network.

It was the norm for Rock ‘n’ Wrestling to feature two mini-stories with live action wraparound interviews and segments, however in its first outing here on the Network only the first part of episode one was added. The rationale behind this is unknown at the moment.

Something tells me that the fans who were really excited about seeing Rock ‘n’ Wrestling for the first time probably won’t be too anxious about seeing the next edition, as I don’t think it has held up too well. If you were a first time viewer of the cartoon, how did you like it?

 
Corey Graves’ Culture Shock

The other new arrival to the WWE Network this week was the first real non-wrestling show we have had on the Network – Culture Shock with Corey Graves. The premise of the series is that Corey Graves explores the world and brings us new, interesting and exciting things from his travels. The first episode featured a visit to Marvel HQ, and of course it was no coincidence that this was timed to coincide with the release of Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron.

The show itself actually only lasted for 10 minutes and in all honesty was a little too quick to get into anything too deeply. It was cute how Corey (and his guests) tried to link the Marvel Universe with the WWE Universe, but the 10 minutes really hurt the flow and didn’t really offer Corey a true chance to shine. Hopefully the show can be extended to, say, 30 minutes and we can get a little deeper into the subjects being explored here.

In case you missed any of the new content added to the Network since our last Lowdown, here’s a handy list of all the new additions in the last seven days:

• Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling: The Junkyard 500 (9/14/1985)
• RAW Replays: Episode 185 (11/18/1996)
• RAW Replays: Episode 186 (11/25/1996)
• RAW Replays: Episode 189 (12/16/1996)
• RAW Replays: “Believe It Or Not” (3/23/2015)
• Tough Enough: “110 Pound Elephant in the Room” (4/20/2011)
• Total Divas: “Eggs Over Freezing” (9/7/2014)
• SmackDown Replay: “Snakes on a Kane” (3/19/2015)
• Quick Hits: The Rock Furious 7 (4/20/2015)
• Quick Hits: Cactus Jack – I’m Hardcore (4/20/2015)
• Quick Hits: Savage on Snuka (4/20/2015)
• Quick Hits: 2 Cold Scorpio Video (4/20/2015)
• WWE Breaking News: Tough Enough 2015 Announcement (4/20/2015)
• RAW Pre-Show (4/20/2015)
• Culture Shock with Corey Graves: Marvel HQ (4/22/2015)
• WWE NXT: Episode 274 (4/22/2015)
• WWE Superstars: Episode 315 (4/24/2015)
• This Week in WWE: Episode 326 (4/25/2015)
• Prime Time Wrestling: Episode 82 (9/29/1986)
• Prime Time Wrestling: Episode 83 (10/6/1986)
• Prime Time Wrestling: Episode 84 (10/13/1986)
• Prime Time Wrestling: Episode 85 (10/20/1986)
• Prime Time Wrestling: Episode 86 (10/27/1986)
• Prime Time Wrestling: Episode 87 (11/3/1986)
• Prime Time Wrestling: Episode 88 (11/10/1986)
• Prime Time Wrestling: Episode 89 (11/17/1986)
• Prime Time Wrestling: Episode 90 (11/24/1986)
• Prime Time Wrestling: Episode 91 (12/1/1986)
• Prime Time Wrestling: Episode 92 (12/8/1986)

 

 
Too Hot For TV

We understood that the first edition of Jerry Springer’s “Too Hot for TV” series would be debuting immediately following RAW this week, not in the linear programming but rather as VOD. The first episode of Too Hot for TV is to be titled “Love Hurts” and will look at the romantic exploits of the WWE Superstars and Divas, both inside and outside of the squared circle. The format of the show will see classic clips shown, then be followed by segments with Jerry Springer analyzing the clips and offering his own unique insight.

You would have to imagine Springer will also be offering his ‘Final Thoughts’ too.

 
Bad Weather for Mayweather?

Originally, when the new WWE Network shows were announced, a special looking at the Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show match at WrestleMania XXIV was announced for April 27th; timed to coincide with Mayweather’s much hyped fight against Manny Pacquiao next weekend.

However, just like “Too Hot for TV”, this special is currently not a part of Monday night’s WWE Network schedule. Perhaps this one got the boot or will see the light of day in the future.

[UPDATE: Soon after posting we learned that the “The Money vs. The Giant” special will air on Friday night at 9PM EST.]

Podcast is Jericho

Jericho has been banished from his Monday Night slot this week and instead will have a “live” show immediately following SmackDown on Thursday. This time Chris Jericho will be joined by the “dirty, disgusting, brutal, skanky, bottom feeding, trash bag ho” (couldn’t resist) – Stephanie McMahon. We aren’t 100% that this will be live, as obviously SmackDown is taped on Tuesday, but it’s very possible the show could come live from WWE HQ in Stanford, CT.

I personally felt that Jericho’s last outing lacked the punch of Stone Cold’s “Net-casts” (so to speak) so let’s see how he fairs this time around with the Billion Dollar Princess. Catch Live with Chris Jericho on Thursday at 10pm EST right after SmackDown.

 
Extreme Rules

Extreme Rules is tonight… excited yet? The top matches for Extreme Rules will see ‘The Architect’ tangle with ‘The Viper’ in a Steel Cage Match for the WWE World Championship, Roman Reigns and the Big Show will do battle in a Last Man Standing bout, John Cena and Rusev will meet in an old skool Russian Chain Match, and more.

Remember, if you’re not a WWE Network subscriber you can watch tonight’s PPV for FREE!
Click here to sign up for a free trial of WWE Network.

 
Cheap Pops with Mick Foley

Mick Foley recorded his stand-up show “Cheap Pops” on Friday evening at Full Sail, FL. It was speculated on Twitter by Mick Foley himself that his show would debut VERY soon on the WWE Network, possibly Wednesday this week if we’re lucky.

There was even a little speculation that Jim Ross might also record a new show for the WWE Network if a deal could be done. Sadly, it appears that no show was recorded in the end, so it looks like that deal couldn’t be put together in time, at least for now.

 
Unfiltered with Renee Young

Last week we saw the debut of Corey Graves’ new show, this week Renee Young takes the spotlight with her new show: Unfiltered. Like Culture Shock, Unfiltered is only set to air for 10 minutes at a time; which is a shame as some longer form and more extensive interviews might offer different insight into the characters, lives and interests of the WWE Superstars, which in turn might just allow fans to connect with them on a different level.

The debut episode will see Renee Young sit down with current reigning and defending WWE World Heavyweight Champion; Seth Rollins (which might be a spoiler for Extreme Rules). You can catch Unfiltered on Tuesday at 4pm EST and right after as video on demand.

…and that’s all for this week folks. I hope you enjoy the upcoming week of WWE Network delights. 🙂

 

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