TMZ Features CM Punk And Kofi, Paul Heyman Says He'll Rebuild Punk, USA Credits WWE For Being #1

- Machinima Sports recently interviewed Paul Heyman before SummerSlam, who discussed WWE 2K14. During the interview, Heyman was asked about the love lost between himself and CM Punk.

"I don't hate CM Punk, I love CM Punk. All rebellious personalities need to prove their own worth to themselves," Heyman said. "CM Punk just needs time to find out on his own that he's not the best in the world without Paul Heyman... [After Punk's match with Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam] I will forgive CM Punk, I will accept CM Punk back. I will rebuild CM Punk and I shall take CM Punk to the main event at WrestleMania."

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- Speaking of Punk, TMZ.com has an article at this link about Punk and Kofi Kingston visiting the house used in AMC's hit series, Breaking Bad.

- The USA Network issued the following press release about being the top cable network for the 8th consecutive summer:

USA IS THE #1 CABLE NETWORK FOR THE 8TH CONSECUTIVE SUMMER

POWERFUL SLATE OF ORGINALS, WWE Raw, AND SYNDICATED SERIES HELP DRIVE VICTORY FOR THE NETWORK

USA Boasts Four of the Top Ten Dramas Across All Cable, Including Freshman Series Graceland

NEW YORK ? August 26, 2013 ? For an unprecedented 8th year in a row, USA is summer's #1 cable network in total viewers (2.95 million), P25-54 (1.15 million) and P18-49 (1.08 million). USA's win was driven in great part by its powerful mix of originals, WWE Raw and syndicated programming. The network was home to four of the summer's top ten scripted series including newcomer GRACELAND, as well as Burn Notice, Suits, and Royal Pains.

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Freshman drama GRACELAND, about the adrenaline-fueled world of a diverse group of undercover agents whose lies are their lives, was one of the summer's top new scripted series on cable. It attracted 3.83 million total viewers, 1.72 million P25-54, 1.68 million and P18-49. GRACELAND registered particularly high double-digit growth in L7 lifts of +87% P18-49, +83% P25-54 +89% P18-34 and +72% in P2+ on average season-to-date. The season finale is set for Thursday, September 12 at 10/9c.

The final season of Burn Notice continued to dominate in ratings. The Emmy-Award nominated drama drew 5.36 million total viewers, 2.22 million P25-54 and 2.035 million P18-49. The series finale is slated for Thursday, September 12 at 9/8c.

Fan favorites Suits and Royal Pains consistently performed on cable's top ten list. The third season of Suits, about one of Manhattan's top lawyers who hires a brilliant unmotivated college dropout, reached 5 million total viewers, 2.18 million P25-54 and 2.28 million P18-49. In its fifth season, Royal Pains, about a 'go to doctor for hire' in the Hamptons, garnered 5.23 million total viewers, 1.97 million P25-54 and 1.69 million P18-49.

WWE Raw continued to draw a massive audience with 4.5 total viewers, and 2 million in both P18-49 and P25-54.

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NCIS was the most-watched "off-net" series on cable this summer, averaging 2.7 million total viewers while SVU was #3, averaging 2.1M viewers. No other off-net one hour series on cable averaged above 2 million total viewers this summer. NCIS and SVU were also the top off-net one-hours on cable among key demographics, as SVU averaged 776,000 18-49 / 778,000 25-54 and NCIS 687,000 / 833,000.

Fresh off a successful summer, USA breaks into the fall season with a powerful programming lineup, including NCIS: LOS ANGELES on September 23 and Modern Family on September 24. Hit original dramas White Collar and Covert Affairs also return on Thursday, October 17 at 9/8c and 10/9c, respectively. Additionally, USA introduces the special holiday season reality event, IT TAKES A CHOIR, on Sundays, beginning November 3 at 8/7c. The show follows the charming British choirmaster Gareth Malone as he unites unlikely groups of characters through the transformative power of music. And, the long-awaited two-hour special Psych: THE MUSICAL premieres Sunday, December 15 at 8/7c, following Shawn (James Roday) and Gus (Dule Hill) as they dive into a world that's equal parts mystery and melody to track down an escaped playwright mad man.

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Johnny Montana contributed to this article.

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