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Thursday, September 8, 2011

Query on TNA-Fox, more back-and-forth on Angle's DWI, Questions on concerts during PPVs, Summerslam, Goldberg, Eric Young, and Lawler-Vickie, promo for Hardy's return, HHH film reviewed, Nash released (?), HHH interviews, MMA star on Impact Wrestling, new head of WWE Studios named, Angle reveals No Surrender main event and gives his picks for future TNA main eventers, note on WWE Superstars, and the Raw rating

For a query someone sent in: as far as I know there hasn't been any kind of talk between TNA and Alicia Fox. As of this writing, she's still under contract to WWE and I haven't seen any indication that that will change any time soon.

Virginian police report that in an initial breathalyzer test, Kurt Angle blew a 0.091 BAC, above their legal limit. He also failed a number of field sobriety tests. The 0.06 was from a secondary test at the station. This seems pretty clear cut, barring some kind of crazy swerve. This is wrestling, after all.

Update: OBJECTION! Angle's attorneys have responded. They bring up potential fair points, but the field sobriety tests were still failed.

On to PWInsider.com's questions:
1. No one's actually making you watch it. You had the choice of not ordering the PPV if you were upset by the performance. WWE has a history of having things like concerts during big shows, dating back at least to the first WrestleMania. Not that it's something I want to see, but it gets them publicity and mainstream appeal. If someone's a Cee Lo fan, it potentially increased them wanting to see a show they might not have wanted to see otherwise. Wrestling crowds who paid to see wrestling will understandably be miffed at that, but I can see why they go that route.

After the break, I go into the rest of the day's news and questions, starting with a look at Summerslam's ending.

2. They've definitely noticed all those things; that's why Punk's become a bigger part of the show than he was in June or so. He's involved in a big feud with the COO of the company and a many-time World Champion. I would also have liked to have seen a continuation of Cena-Punk and the Nash experiment didn't do too well, but it's not like Punk's working dark matches or something now. Sheesh. They also elevated a promising new main event act in Del Rio. Give this time to play out. If Punk and Del Rio are bigger stars in a few months than they were a few months previous, that's got to be seen as a good ending.

3. Goldberg didn't have Twitter when Edge was coming through the ranks, so he couldn't have retweeted a comment about it. It's possible that he feels similarly about Edge using "his" finisher. Goldberg does come across as bitter these past few years, though. I'll agree there. Why not present your theory about Goldberg's lack of masculinity to the man himself?

4. I used to find him pretty amusing years ago, but they've really run the character into the ground over the years.

5. A lot of people have brought this contradiction up, and I haven't seen any really good responses to it. It's really something they should stop doing, especially since Vickie's actually in pretty good shape now.

Eric Bischoff discussed Kurt Angle's recent arrest. I'd like to hear Dixie Carter (or the company in general) make similar comments. The situation shouldn't be tolerated.

Here's a promo for Jeff Hardy's return to TNA on the 9/8 Impact Wrestling. That situation will certainly be something to follow.

Here's the first review of WWE Films' "Inside Out". Ouch.

WWE has announced the release of Kevin Nash from his contract. Given the timing of his storyline, there are questions as to the legitimacy of the announcement. We'll see where things go from here.

Update: Nash commented on his release, shooting down a popular rumor. The "financial terms" bit is interesting, given that he was under a Legends contract already that included some match appearances. Not sure where the dispute arose. I don't think we've heard the end of this story.

Triple H discussed his role in talent development and more on Fox Business Network. I like that they've stepped up recruitment.

MMA fighter and Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez will be on the next edition of Impact Wrestling to cross-promote an upcoming SpikeTV property. I don't particularly care, but the crossover of MMA and wrestling fans might be interested.

WWE has named a new head of WWE Studios, who worked for 12 years at Miramax. Impressive. Part of me wants that end of the company to do well, and part of me wants them to spend that money and those resources in the "sports-entertainment" end of the company.

Update: The new head's plan is to release more films in a given year, possibly doubling the current amount.WWE stars may or may not be involved, depending on the release in question. The company will actively pursue independent films to purchase and distribute. That all sounds well and good financially, but I' and seemingly quite a few other fans are going to get pretty tired of seeing promos for the films all over WWE shows. Especially if they're not related to the superstars.

Kurt Angle revealed the main event for Sunday's TNA PPV during an interview for "Warrior", which going into the final Impact Wrestling leading to the show, has yet to be officially announced by the company.His picks for the future of the company are pretty much by default it seems. They've been "the future of the company" for as far back as I've been watching them (late 2004)!

In another interview with Triple H, he touched on a number of subjects from Punk's promo, to the brand split, to getting noticed, to the PG product. Very good read. I think there's kind of a middle ground between creative having something for someone and a talent doing what they can to stand out, but other than that I really see what he's getting at. I doubt people will stop wanting to bring back the Attitude Era philosophies anytime soon, but it's nice to hear an official explanation for why the company's changed directions other than for sponsorship reasons.

WWE Superstars will now be posted closer to 4 p.m. EST on their website, starting with the 9/8 edition. Although I believe the 9/1 show was posted around that time, too. It doesn't stream like NXT, so if someone's not there on the dot, they don't have to wait around to "catch up" with everyone else.

Raw did a 3.0 on Labor Day with no NFL competition. Next week isn't a holiday, but the NFL will air again. I'm a little split on that number since we don't know how much of the decrease was due to the holiday (where ratings are generally softer).

That's all for Wednesday's news. More to come tomorrow. Thanks for reading!

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