Smackdown backstage morale, Coachman signs new deal, and more
Submitted by Mr. Tito on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 at 2:32 PM EST





Last night's locker room at the Smackdown tapings was less than enthused to hear about the low RAW rating of 3.4, especially on a week heading into a Pay Per View. There was hope, though, that the high Smackdown rating of last week would carry some momentum for this week's edition of Smackdown.

Aside from the ratings woes, morale in the backstage area continues to decline due to the recent downturn in WWE business. With arenas failing to sell out and merchandise not selling that well, wrestler's payoffs from each shows are down significantly.

It's said that Vince McMahon has recognized that it took a while for the WWE's business to be down this much and he has also accepted the fact that business will take a while to go up as well.

Although it was rumored a few weeks ago, Blabbermouth.net is reporting that Neurotica, Smackdown Records biggest act, has left the label. The WWE let them go out of their deal, citing that they couldn't fulfill the day to day obligations wanted and deserved by the band. Neurotica was the band who sang the "Ride of Your Life" song that played on several WWE shows and their album was advertised heavily on WWE shows when it came out.

[ Credit: Dave Scherer @ 1wrestling.com ]



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TVSpy.com has reported that WWE announcer Johnathan Coachman has signed a new 3 year deal with the WWE.

[ Credit: Jason Powell @ PWtorch.com ]



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WWE Smackdown continues to be UPN's top show, and last week's show was ranked #66 out of 109 prime time shows rated.

Last week's Smackdown rating was reportedly the best that the show did since April, which was after Wrestlemania, mind you.

[ Credit: Yahoo! News ]








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