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Thursday, December 22, 2011

Wrestling titles on Netflix updates, new WWE trademark, possible spoiler for Cena vs. Kane, update on potential Diva heel turn, when R-Truth will return, Rollins update, more on HoF, ring announcer leaves WWE, long-term WWE Network plans and show ideas, WWE reaching out for Network hire, Questions on Adam Pearce, Taker/Kane/HHH, a DX Hall of Fame, Hogan at WMX8, and blood/Benoit on the WWE Network, Goldust upsets WWE, Christian update, more on TNA's Indian venture, Layla soon to return?, WWE CFO speaks, press release for WWE in Russia, and Kamala facing another amputation

For you Netflix fanatics, here's an updated list of wrestling-related titles available on the service.

WWE has registered to trademark the phrase "Fear My Name", which is speculated to be a catchphrase for a new or existing character. Sounds like it could be a film title, but no confirmation of that.

The next two items are potential spoilers. They might turn out to be nothing, but just in case, I'm blacking them out so those who don't want to see them can skip on.

John Cena vs. Kane is advertised as a WWE Title match for a February house show. I'd assume that could be a mistake unless it appears on more line-ups.

Also, Kaitlyn is teaming with Tamina later this month on a Smackdown house show, so they could be going forward with her turning heel after all. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. If she can work well as a heel and gets to have good matches on TV and the like, I'll be ok with it.

R-Truth will be eligible to return from his suspension on 12/22. I'll be glad to see him back. He's undoubtedly one of the best characters I've seen this year.

Seth Rollins will be touring with the Raw brand all next week. WWE's roster looks like it could end up pretty crowded. Hopefully the cream rises to the top and catches fire with the audience.

After the break, I go into the rest of the day's news and notes, including PWInsider.com's questions. Next up, more on the physical WWE Hall of Fame.
WWE is looking at a number of sites, both in Florida and the Northeast, to house the WWE Hall of Fame.   They're in the process of getting historical items to put there, as was mentioned in a recent WWE.com article. Its existence will tie in nicely with the new WWE Network. Big things coming for them.

Eden Stiles has finished up with WWE. She asked for her release. She was growing on me in her role, but this isn't a huge loss. I wish her luck in whatever she does next.

WWE has big plans for its upcoming Network. That seems very well thought-out. I'm curious about a lot of that, especially the "new live events" part. Would they really do another in-ring action show when they barely make use of some of them as it is? Though I guess they would use them if they were on the Network. Hmm. If it shows off talented wrestlers who otherwise would be on the sidelines, I guess I'd be ok with it. It sounds like it'd make tapings even longer though (no way would they try running NXT, Superstars, and any new shows by themselves).

WWE held a TV taping in Florida earlier this month involving FCW talents. It's possible that there will be a show on WWE Network about the program, but there are no guarantees. There was also a 30-minute show taped promoting a specific match with WWE talents. Triple H and John Laurinaitis attended. It's said to be unlikely that the footage will air, even if the shows are picked up. Interesting and bizarre all the same.

WWE is looking for a VP of Digital and Social Media for their upcoming Network. What makes this different from the previous reporting of this story is that they're now turning to Monster for hiring, and the posting doesn't refer to WWE or their business directly. That's kind of concerning. Hopefully that approach works for them.

On to my look at PWInsider.com's questions:
1. If he's a good old school worker that might explain things. They're looking for entertainers. Then again, it looks like both companies are pretty much "full" at this point with a lot of performers working for them, so that could factor in as well.

2. That'd be kind of cool actually. Two of his greatest WrestleMania opponents coming together (and simultaneously facing off) to put away the Streak. I'd be good with it. I don't know how much sand is left in all of their hourglasses, but if they are thinking of wrapping things up, that would be nice closure for all of them. I don't think we'll actually see it, though. No word on any of them approaching retirement (though I can definitely see HHH going back behind the curtain after the feud ends, and Taker could very well take another big hiatus).

3. I like it! As they mentioned, Chyna's probably not going to be a part of such a scenario, but other than that I'd be all for it. Really good idea.

4. I actually think Austin/Hogan might have been bigger than Rock/Hogan, but other than that I agree that it wasn't going to happen (and almost certainly/hopefully never will).

5. That sounds about right. They won't go out of their way to show either, but if they feel it's "necessary" for whatever they're doing, I can see them occasionally showing such things. It would really be weird if they blurred out blood in a lot of matches with them. I'm not sure what other kind of alternatives there would be.

WWE has apparently had issues with Goldust's conduct on Twitter in the past. He's known for blocking a lot of people and upsetting followers with some of what he's said to them. He recently threatened to block people who didn't believe in Christ, but changed his tune and is trying to be nicer now. All in all it's kind of disappointing that he's behaved that way.

Christian is being advertised for the 2/7 Smackdown taping and some house shows as well. He's on his way to being ready to return from his injuries. He's one of my favorite performers of my entirety of watching wrestling, so I hope he's back doing what he does best in time.

TNA's Indian offshoot, Ring Ka King, is planned to be a long-term thing, as the Indian talents involved have been signed to multi-year contracts.

Layla put out some tweets that suggest that she'll be returning to the ring soon. Maybe she can replace Alicia Fox? I'd like to see what she can do as a singles competitor.

WWE's Chief Financial Officer took questions at a recent conference. Very interesting. If you want to know what WWE's thinking from a business perspective, there you have it.

Here's the official press release for WWE's upcoming Russian house show.

Finally, in a piece of sad news, famed wrestler Kamala will have to undergo an amputation on the same leg he's already lost the foot of. That's really unfortunate. Sorry to end the news on a downer note.

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

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