Source: The Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter
The Big Show vs. Edge #1 Contendership Match on RAW this past Monday night was reportedly cut short to four minutes due to segments earlier in the show running longer than expected.
As reported earlier, the plan right now is to keep Chris Benoit off SmackDown and WWE TV for the next few weeks and maybe even longer. Says one WWE source, “Benoit is burnt out.” Some reports have stated that Benoit might be exploring shoulder surgery during his time out, although it hasn’t been determined if he really needs it at this point. For those unaware, Benoit has been bothered by a sore shoulder for the last month or so.
To date, the 5/30 Backlash PPV (RAW brand) has generated 220,000 buys according to early PPV estimates. Last year’s Backlash PPV started with an estimated 260,000 buys and then grew to a total of 310,000 buys when all numbers came in. Thus far, this year’s PPV has to be considered a slight disappointment. Some have already pointed the finger at the decision to include “God” in storylines leading into the PPV and that it may have turned off a certain demographic that normally purchases PPV events.
