JR blog, Maryse and Lawler interviews, Japanese cameos, Smackdown rating, Chyna makes bogus claims, WWE '12 sales update, FCW talents to get tryouts, Questions on NXT, "Where are They Now" on Jim Dotson, Vader, and Midnight, and The Rock after Mania, Bourne ok to return, Ziggler interview, TTTT press release reveals impressive celebrity cameos, January PPV posters, WWE looks at the Kaitlyn/AJ story, Foley-Wife Swap press release, Morgan talks TNA/WWE and the Impact Wrestling post-show

Jim Ross posted a new blog on Undertaker, Cena, Morrison, and a good deal more. Whatever Morrison's future, I hope to see him on TV wrestling again. If he needs time off beforehand, that's understandable.

Maryse talked to Diva-Dirt about her time in WWE and her future. It's hard to picture her as a babyface given how natural she is as a heel. As for her thoughts on the Divas' division, I agree. I hate that so many of the workers there have been just "Face Diva Number ______" or "Heel Diva Number _____". I think this area has been improved upon a good deal lately (especially on NXT), but they can do better. A lot of them have potential to be distinct, likeable (or booable) characters and athletes, but they're not getting as much of a chance to do that as I'd like. Granted, this goes for a number of male athletes as well.

Jerry Lawler talked about the critically acclaimed "Memphis Heat" documentary and his history in the business. There's WAY too much overthinking in wrestling today. Possibly the biggest thing hurting the business.

Trendrr (no, that's not a typo) has Smackdown and Raw once more in the top 10 buzzed-about shows. Obviously WWE will be happy to know that.

On the 12/1 Raw house show in Japan, Funaki worked as the special referee for the Divas' Title match before being eating a Skull Crushing Finale by Miz. Brilliant. Also, hilariously, John Cena wore Zubaz pants in his match. He should stick to his regular attire since it's "what his character wears".

The 11/29 Smackdown pulled in a 2.12 rating. Not bad, but I think they should have hoped for higher with a Tuesday airing, hyped main event, and Mick Foley hosting. The holiday goofiness could have turned fans off.

After the break, I go into the rest of the day's news, including PWInsider.com's questions. Up next, Chyna's latest off-the-wall claims.

This is seriously one of the battiest interviews I've ever read (beginning on page 42). It reads like a Google translation filled with typos and really out-there claims. It reminds me of the old "fish stories" where someone will catch a small fish, but with each successive telling of the story the fish is told as being bigger and bigger until it's the largest fish in existence. In other words, I don't believe it.

Tajiri also visited on the WWE tour of Japan, reuniting with his old partner William Regal. Ahh, good times. Good times.

WWE '12 is said to be selling very well, which means more money in the pockets of the performers featured.

A number of FCW talents will be getting looks for the main roster in the next few weeks, but no specific names have been leaked. The roster's getting pretty crowded, but I'd love to see some deserving performers make it there, at least for the sake of them getting house show paydays instead of just from FCW. In a "perfect world" where everything on WWE was how I wanted it to be, some of the older, staler names would be used sparingly and/or retire, then everyone else would move up the card and we'd have more room for some people getting high marks in developmental (Rollins, Ambrose, Harris, Rotundo, and Cesaro spring to mind). But, from a business perspective, if WWE thinks people want to see those established guys (and in some cases they do), that's who they'll use. I don't 100% fault them. They're thinking of a greater audience.

Here's my take on Thursday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. I had actually forgotten that (and wouldn't be surprised if WWE has, too). Given that the NXT competitors have been able to have matches on shows other than NXT, walk out, etc. they might as well be considered members of the main roster already (since they're not competing for a WWE contract on the show). Anyway, they'll seemingly just use whoever they want however they want. It's not like a massive amount of fans will call them out on it.

2. I honestly don't remember him, though the name sounds familiar. Sorry that I'm not any help!

3. To add to their answer, his son works in FCW as Jake Carter, but I don't know how far along he is in development.

4's another one I'm not familiar with, so on to 5. I'd love to see Punk vs. Rock, but don't know how the latter's Hollywood schedule will pan out. That's the biggest factor in all of this, so a look at that would give an indication of when he'd be available.

Evan Bourne's suspension is up, so the company's free to use him on Monday's Raw. It looks like he and Kofi could be in for a feud with Epico and Primo. Fine by me if they think Epico's ready.

Dolph Ziggler was interviewed by the Miami Herald. Very dedicated, hard-working guy. Must-read interview, because he really "gets it".

Here's WWE's press release for Tribute to the Troops. Should be an entertaining show. Maria Menounos will definitely take the match opportunity seriously.

Here are the respective posters for the Royal Rumble and TNA's Final Resolution. TNA's makes sense since the casual fan will theoretically see that and possibly order to see Jeff Hardy. WWE could do a LOT better selling a PPV where the winner of the main event co-headlines one of the biggest shows in company history. That's really kind of embarrassing. Not that I dislike Santino, but for promoting such a big event that shouldn't have been their choice.

WWE.com has an article on the developments between Kaitlyn and AJ. I think both of them have potential in the Divas division and hope this is the start of something pretty good. If you want the Divas to be featured more, respond well to this angle.

Here's the press release for ABC's "Wife Swap" featuring Mick Foley.

Matt Morgan answered a number of fan questions on Twitter. I think TNA might have something with him. Not the best worker in the world, but I think they could make him work as a top player.

Finally, here's the post-Impact Wrestling show. Unusually good show from them.

That's all for Thursday's news. Friday's will come later in the day, and I'll hopefully catch up soon.