WGN America Reportedly Cancels "WWE Superstars"

[Dale]

Chad Ruffner sent an e-mail to WGN America concerning replays of WWE Superstars. The e-mail response noted the following:

"Our final airing of 'WWE Superstars' is Thursday, April 7."

According to ProWrestling.net, WGN America confirmed that WWE Superstars has been canceled. Additional information was not provided.

WWE Superstars debuted on April 16, 2009.

Only seen a match or two but they are generally pretty good with decent times, so this will be quite a significant blow to the undercard if it stays off the air.

 

[PHX]

This really sucks and puts some guys jobs in jeopardy unless that rumor about velocity coming back is true. Superstars has always had at least decent matches and has had some damn good matches on there too. So hopefully WWE gets another undercard program going.

 

[SAIYANS]

Not surprising since WGN has moved to airing just reruns outside of the Chicago news, Wedsneday night Cubs games, and Saturday Bulls games. It was bound to happen.

WWE needs to move on to bring Heat and Velocity back over Superstars and NXT or find a way to get them on TV.

At least they went the full length of two years from the first Thurday after Mania 25 to the first Thurdays after Mania 27 I guess

 

[PHX]

There is def gonna be some releases coming after this is over. Divas should be mostly sad about this since they actually got time to put on a decent match for a change.

 

[Phenomenal1]

Maybe WWE saw this coming and the report of Velocity returning in May on MyNetworkTV was true.

 

[SAIYANS]

Regarding WGN America's cancellation of WWE Superstars, the Chicago-based superstation didn't feel they were getting what they paid for, which was a program near the level of the Monday Night Raw. WGN agreed to carry the show in late 2008 with the hope it would bring ratings to their national feed, which does not have substantial clearance across cable systems in the United States.

While WWE Superstars initially featured top tier talent such as John Cena, Edge and John Morrison, it was clear from the beginning that it was a show of little consequence. For instance, the program sparingly featured storylines. Within a matter of time, it became the modern day equivalent of Sunday Night Heat, a television showcase for the organization's preliminary talent; Zack Ryder, Tyler Reks, Primo and the brothers Uso were regularly featured in starring roles. Meanwhile, the show's lackluster ratings were indicative of how both fans and officials alike saw it as.
http://www.pwpix.net/superstars/t/tylerreks/
source: PWInsider.com

Not really sure why in the hell they expected they would get a Raw level show or ratings on a superstation that isn't that well carried, but it still sucks for the lower tier guys and people who want to see easily the best 1 hour of wrestling on TV every week

 

[Phenomenal1]

To be fair the first few episodes of Superstars had Undertaker, Rey Mysterio, CM Punk, Big Show, Kane, Edge, Chris Jericho, John Cena, Jeff Hardy, and Randy Orton, as well as a ECW and United States Title Match so it seemed they were at least trying a little the first 4 months or so but just gave up along the way and made into a midcard show that eventually just turned into a lower card show with rematches galore.

 

[SAIYANS]

True.

I think there was once rumors about WGN trying to get SD and TNA if I'm not mistaken

 

[SAIYANS]

I think the only thing that would have saved the deal was if ECW moved to the network

 

[The Flash]

Figures. The one show that actually gave the Divas decent time and didnt have to rush their matches gets cancelled.

And more than likely..Masters, Reks, Primo and Ryder are fucked.

 

[Kairi]

i never got this but i hope velocity is true b/c i actually have that station

 

[Dante Cross]

^^Masters has been said to be expecting a push soon, so I doubt he is done.

 

[SAIYANS]

Update:

The Wrestling Observer

Although WWE Superstars has been canceled on WGN America, it is believed that the show will continue to air as an internet only show and will continue to air over seas.

International commitments may save jobs, much like they keep NXT going

 

[Phenomenal1]

So we have Velocity 2005-mid 2006 and Heat 2005-2008 all over again with NXT and now perhaps Superstars going internet only.