November 27, 2006 Observer Newsletter: Kurt Angle, UFC 65

The latest version of the most important week in TNA history is over. When the dust settled, it's a weird evaluation, but overall it can best be described as a mixed bag.

While no official confirmation is in, based on our response, the Genesis PPV on 11/19 from Orlando, featuring the Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe match as the biggest in company history, appears to be either the single most successful, or at worst, at the level of the most successful PPV events in company history. The numbers appear strong even with the Dish Network not airing the show. The Dish Network has a also pulled out of airing future TNA shows over what Network officials have called a contract dispute.

On 11/16, a two hour airing from 9-11 p.m., the prime time debut, built around Angle's first televised match against Abyss, drew a 1.02 rating and 1.2 million viewers. The viewership was up 20% from the 1.0 million viewers the show has been averaging in recent weeks. But even with more hype and a better time slot, it was nowhere close to the 1.4 million record levels set earlier this year when it got the Shamrock-Ortiz Ultimate Fighter season as a lead-in. 

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