Queries on HBK vs. HHH and WWE buying TNA, More on Reid Flair, Interviews with Layla/Shield/Punk/Steamboat/Sting/Heyman, WWE lawyers invade Wrestlecon, Mania picks, Jersey Shore castmember not at Mania, WWE.com issues, Clay comments on match being cut, and Questions on buying Mania, bashing Dixie Carter, and websites that charge for info

Some queries to start us off:
1. I don't think we'll see HBK vs. HHH next year at Mania. HBK seems content to stay out of the ring. I'm sure it'd be great, though.

2. No update on WWE potentially buying TNA. As far as I know, there's no interest from either side to make that transaction.

Here's a story on the last few days of the life of Reid Flair. Of course his father is mentioned. What happened to the crowd who appreciated heels BOOING them instead of cheering them? Something's seriously wrong with that. The story about the Regional was HILARIOUS. He was such a good kid before the drugs and fights. Sad story.

Layla was interviewed ahead of WM29. I'd like for her to get some more character development if she feuds with Kaitlyn. She's very talented in the ring, but I think it would help for us to know more about her motivations, etc..

WWE went to Wrestlecon to confiscate bootlegged material (DVDs, T-Shirts, etc.). Buyers were given court dates where they could argue their case. I can see WWE's point here. These sellers were profiting off of WWE copyrights.

Everything else from yesterday is after the break.

Here's a brief interview with The Shield. They came across well.


Here's a different interview with The Shield. I like these guys. They gave good political answers.

C.M. Punk was interviewed. This guy's just insanely dedicated and that might be unhealthy. I agree that the match to face Taker was an odd idea, and that some guys just have that "it" factor. I think it can be cultivated, but I don't think you can take someone with no inherent charisma and turn them into a good talker. I like his stance on not toeing the line, too. (I just learned that it's not in fact "tow" the line). He's dead on about Stone Cold as well. Based on Tough Enough, he does want people to stand up to him.

Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat talked. Cool to get a shoutout to the Carolinas' wrestling history. I hope his son goes far. It'll be very interesting to see where NXT goes in the future.

Sting talked about Hulk Hogan. There are definitely people who want to see the older guys, but also a lot of people who want to see some new guys being built.

Oakland MLB player Josh Reddick gave his picks for WrestleMania. Always cool to see someone outside of wrestling have an appreciate for it.

Angelina of "Jersey Shore" wanted tickets to WrestleMania, but WWE shut her down. I don't think it was anything against her. They just didn't have comps to spare.

Here's a brief meeting with Paul Heyman discussing money owed because of ECW's bankruptcy. Not sure if that was a work or not, but it was pretty entertaining. The original ECW was in pretty bad shape financially.

A number of WWE superstars gave their picks for WrestleMania. Jimmy Hart's getting kind of stale with me.  Nice to see some younger stars being put over for potential to steal the show. Overall, some pretty good answers.

Here's a brief interview with the Bellas. Did they really just say that the Attitude Era is the first time women wrestled? Fabulous Moolah and Mae Young would be shocked to know that.

Some people were reporting issues with the WWE.com stream for WrestleMania. I'm guessing it wasn't prepared for such a high volume of traffic? WWE can do better than this.

Brodus Clay commented on his match being cut from WrestleMania. Honestly, it was probably for the best. It wasn't as important in the grand scheme of things as some of the other matches getting more time. And they cut any dumb comedy segments, too! Nice.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Yeah, hopefully there's a bar or something nearby showing it? They do charge way too much. I liked the show, but I don't think it was quite worth the price tag. That's not a knock on the show by any stretch, but the selling point.

2. lolROH. It all depends on what you want to see and who your favorite performers are. They're two completely different styles.

3. Maybe there's demand for it? The McMahons have action figures. So do Michael Cole, JR, Paul Heyman and Joey Styles. It's not unfathomable that there'd be a market for a Dixie figure. She's probably more famous than some of the people taking bumps for her.

4. I present Exhibit A, Stephanie acknowledging the Tweet. Way to jump the gun and come to the wrong conclusions. I didn't see it as attention-seeking as much as acknowledging a historic meeting.

5. Because they're trying to make money. Unfortunately for them, they're doing it by charging for things that can easily be found for free elsewhere. They might should rethink that.

More wrestling tomorrow, and a Blue Echo podcast coming up.