Russo to face some of his toughest critics, WWE Network's lack of progress profiled, Daniels and Ziggler interviews, HHH returning to the ring before Mania, Impact preview, HHH signs long-term deal, Questions on Sabin, Bryan vs. Sheamus, Santino, Chamber injuries, and writing Taker off, Russo releases statement, Sorensen update, Z! TLIS #55, ROH rumorkiller, FCW star update, WWE moves live event, name for Ziggler/Swagger team?, Impact Wrestling rating, a new WWE trademark, and McIntyre removed from the WWE roster

Vince Russo will be appearing on a future installment of YouShoot live. Talk about walking into a lion den! There are people who genuinely HATE this man for what they perceive as him doing to the wrestling business.

The New York Post covered the stalled WWE Network. Poorly written (edited?) piece, botching the company's abbreviation and contradicting itself on whether the programming is "raunchy". That aside, things aren't going as well as WWE would hope and there are some real concerns about its ultimate fate. Vince McMahon seems like the type of guy who wants things done big immediately and gets frustrated when they don't happen like that. It's troubling to say the least given the company's business the past few years.

Daniels was interviewed. I wasn't aware that he had so many injuries. That's kind of scary.

Dolph Ziggler was also interviewed. He even steals the show in interviews!  Supposedly the change in hair color (back to brown) was a Creative decision that obviously bombed. It's not time yet to change into a super-serious character given how well he stands out as he is now.

Triple H will compete at a WWE house show in Madison Square Garden on 3/18. Makes sense I guess if they think he has ring rust, and that is their "home arena".

After the break, I go into everything else from Friday, including PWInsider.com's questions. Next up, the preview for next week's Impact Wrestling.
Here's the set-up for Thursday's show, focused on the Bischoff family.

Triple H signed a new wrestler contract with WWE, locking him in until 2016. LOTS of legalese. He'll get paid quite a bit whether he wrestles any in that timeframe or not. He's expected to continue to become more of an executive in the years to come.

For my take on PWInsider.com's questions (linked to earlier):
1. Wow, that's quite some time. Talk about someone who fell of the map. The last word I heard on a return date was "2012", which obviously isn't very helpful. When there is an update, I'll be sure to post about it

2. That's pretty big. Hopefully that means Bryan and Sheamus aren't just short-term projects for WWE. I'm not holding my breath, though, given their history.

3. They dad have him more serious when he first debuted, but as they said he is a LOT more over as he is now. There's absolutely no reason to change his character direction given how behind him the fans are. Maybe someday down the line, but it shouldn't even be on their radar right now.

4. It'd be tough to argue with that one. Dangerous match.

5. I like their idea. It should definitely be more of a special effects thing than him coming out in a suit or something and getting adulation. I'd think of something like what they suggested following him being extremely exhausted or something to where he "has nothing left" and has to go back to wherever the character originally came from.

Vince Russo released a statement about his TNA departure. I can't wait for that YouShoot.

Dixie Carter updated the status of Jesse Sorensen, who could be out for up to a year. I can't be the only one who thinks it's bad that the president of the company misspelled his name and the name of the guy who injured him.

Zack Ryder posted Episode #55 of his YouTube show. Great Belding cameo. Good stuff from Ziggler. The inside terms get a little tiring (with the new WWE shirts). That new Ryder T-shirt on the other hand. NICE. He didn't get to keep his Slammy award? Poor Mr. Ryder... Hahahahaha, nice shot at Rock's crib notes.

There was a rumor floating around that Ring Of Honor had blocked the Briscoe Brothers and/or Adam Cole from going to WWE, but that's incorrect. WWE has expressed interest in all three, but no contract offers had been made and all three are signed to ROH deals. I've never seen Cole, but the Briscoes aren't my cup of tea.

Update: ROH made a reference to the fake rumor. Funny stuff.

In a correction to a previous story, the former Hijo del Medico Asesino has kept his mask under his new FCW gimmick, which looks similar to what he did in Mexico. I'm curious as to how he'll do in the company.

WWE has moved a live event in Charleston, WV from 5/6 to 7/27. No official word as to why. It could be a ticket sales thing.

Vickie Guerrero referred to her team of Ziggler and Swagger as "American Perfection". Really good name, though Ziggler's gimmick and entrance music has changed from that.

Impact Wrestling did a .99 rating on Thursday. Damn. I wish I knew what was driving people off, since I think the shows have been notably better than they have been in the past (with the important exception of some of the Knockout and Eric Young segments).

WWE is looking to file a trademark for the term "kayfabe" for merchandise use. That kind of ticks me off. Kayfabe is the term for what goes on in the "universe" of the show (in storylines). They might as well have said "script" or something. Ugh.

Drew McIntyre was removed from the WWE website to sell his "firing". He's not really gone from the company, and as far as I know there aren't any plans to release him.

That's it for Friday's news. More to come tonight. Thanks for reading!