PWInsider is reporting tomorrow’s episode of WWE Backstage will not be taped and the show is essentially over. It could be brought back for one-off specials, but no regular shows will happen.
Fox Sports 1 is reportedly in the process of cancelling WWE Backstage. Announcing it is “scaling back its WWE content” in the near future, according to a new report from Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand.
According to him, “WWE Backstage will no longer be produced on a weekly basis,” which is a sign the low-rated show is getting the axe.
Officially premiering on November 5, 2019 with Renee Young and Booker T as the hosts and a rotating cast of panelists Paige, Christian and Mark Henry, the show failed to garner viewers. Its lowest viewership was 18,000 viewers.
As a result FS1 asked CM Punk to come in a semi-regular panelist in order to boost the ratings, which worked by ushering in 173,000 viewers, marking a viewership jump of 209%.
FS1 is scaling back production on its boxing and WWE shoulder programming. “WWE Backstage will not longer be produced weekly. It is eliminating “Inside PBC.” Double digit job losses as a result. SBJ Media will have the full story tonight.
— John Ourand (@Ourand_SBJ) June 22, 2020
Further confirming the show’s impending cancellation, Pro Wrestling Sheet‘s Ryan Satin, who worked as a correspondent for the show and often broke major news with his segments, indicated on Twitter he was no longer with the show.
Thanks to everyone at @FS1 for the opportunity to work on #WWEBackstage! I had a blast working with @ReneeYoungWWE, @BookerT5x, @RealPaigeWWE, @jacobu, @grossman, @bradweimer and every single person I came into contact with on the show. I learned a lot working with you all. https://t.co/iLnYF0jGyj
— Ryan Satin (@ryansatin) June 22, 2020
WWE nor the panelists have commented on the report.
For those wondering what happens to CM Punk, he is under contract to FOX, not WWE. This does not translate to CM Punk continuing to appear on other WWE programming unless a deal is made directly with WWE and CM Punk.
