Backstage Update On Kennedy's Release, Mitchell Snubbed

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

This week's edition of WWE RAW was watched by an average of 4.53 million cable viewers in the first hour and 5.05 million in the second hour. RAW ranked #1 this week in M18-48 with a 2.60 rating, #3 in P18-49 with a 2.07 rating. 4.8 million viewers averaged this week with a male skew of 64% and a median age of 38. Against last week's show, RAW this week was up 6% in P18-49.

Steve Keirn, who owns the WWE developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling, snubbed former TNA manager James Mitchell. Mitchell was under the impression he had a tryout with the promotion after exchanging emails with Keirn, but he was asked to pay $1,000 when he showed up to the building. The story also notes that Keirn told Mitchell that FCW held tryouts for managers and announcers in January.

Regarding top wrestlers complaining to Vince McMahon about Mr. Kennedy, one source said, "People blow spots at house shows and TV every week. There's blowing spots and then there's reckless and green." One example given was that while Rob Van Dam is known for catching opponents with the occasional potato shots, no one feared working with him. "A black eye maybe," said the source, "but no one worried about suffering an actual injury."