What didn't happen after Raw, which TNA stars are headed to India, The Slammys are coming, Memories of Mad Dog, was JR at OKC Raw?, Interviews with Miz/Bellas, TNA stars make guest appearances, key backstage WWE player returns, the status of Sin Cara, interesting DVD note, Impact audience, Smackdown audience, legends set for WWE shows, big WWE event set, WWE in interesting legal battle, Miz appearance and Questions on TLC, WM30 matches and Roman Reigns

Somewhat surprisingly, there was no dark match after Raw. They almost always have a little bonus for the crowd after the show.

Kurt Angle and Gail Kim will be in India next week to promote TNA. I hope that turns out well for them.

Here are some of the categories for the 2013 WWE Slammy Awards. I'm not really a fan of them. There's only so much to get out of the concept of a wrestling awards show.

Update: Jerry Lawler and Booker T. will be hosting. That's one way to get me to study for finals instead of watching Raw as it airs. Sounds BRUTAL.

Update: Also announced are Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Eve Torres and Christian. Could be some interesting stuff involving those names if you can sit through Lawler and Booker as hosts.

Everything else from yesterday is after the break.

Here are highlights of a radio show remembering Mad Dog Vachon. He sounds pretty intense in a way a lot of performers aren't today.


Despite Raw being in his hometown, Jim Ross was not present backstage. I can't say I blame him.

The Miz was interviewed. I wonder how many heel/face turns he went through by the time that ended.

Christopher Daniels was part of a video promoting breast cancer awareness through song. He's a pretty good singer. The same can't be said for everyone in that video.

James Storm talked about kicking ass in bar fights to TMZ. I'd totally watch a Storm reality show.

Michael Hayes has returned full-time to WWE's creative team. I wonder if they considered replacing with Heath Slater like in that cut tag match from Smackdown.

Hunico worked under the mask as Sin Cara on Raw, as he did when the original Cara was suspended earlier in his career. WWE will continue to use Hunico under the mask for the time being. The original Sin Cara is back in Mexico, with rumors swirling he's done with the company. There's been heat on the original Cara for a time for not living up to expectations, injuries and perceived ego. Note the original Cara skipped training in developmental with less-than-stellar results. Hunico's a great talent, and if he can do more with the Sin Cara character, by all means I think they should give it a go. I wouldn't blame them for canning the first guy given his infamous botches. Hunico's very fluid and can speak English perfectly.

A number of WCW-themed releases have done well for WWE's DVD business. I don't see them trying to relive the glory of WCW given the age of a lot of competitors involved, but it's an interesting thing to note. Could those numbers lead to a curtain call for Goldberg or Sting at WrestleMania 30? Time will tell. The last word on an opponent for Undertaker at the event was Brock Lesnar, who I think it could be argued is a bigger star in 2013 than the other two. I think I'd rather see Taker vs. Lesnar unless Goldberg or Sting were really at the top of their games and brought something interesting to the table from a storyline perspective.

Impact's audience last week was 921,000 viewers, the lowest number in a LONG time. I don't even remember the last time they dropped below a million viewers. I wonder if anyone's hitting the panic button. It being a holiday show protects them a bit, but that's not a great milestone.

Smackdown's audience was 2.64 million viewers, notably down from the previous week on the day after Thanksgiving, but nowhere near the drop TNA saw.

Paul Heyman is advertised for the next edition of Raw. I wonder if we'll get any kind of update on BROCK. LESNAR?

Mick Foley is set for the 1/7 Smackdown taping, while Booker T. is set for the 1/6, 1/13 and 1/20 Raw tapings. Interesting. I wonder what they have planned there. It could just be some kind of special thing for the live crowd, but maybe we get Booker as part of the Goldust/Cody Rhodes angle? he has notable history with both.

The Bella Twins talked ahead of an appearance in Las Vegas. I wonder if they ever claim to be the other one in phone interviews to throw people off. But some good advice as far as staying in shape.

WWE has a big presentation set for the 2014 International CES on 1/8. I think that could easily be when we hear an official WWE Network launch date.

Update: Vince McMahon himself will be there. This could be big.

In a note that shouldn't be much of a surprise, the movie ticket site Fandango is looking to oppose WWE's trademark of that name. What took them so long? They've been using that name for a while now.

The Miz has filmed an appearance for a web series involving Gordon Ramsay and the Muppets. If you needed any more proof WWE's about sports-entertainment, not wrestling, there you have it.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. >"Smarks" in charge of having realistic expectations.
The timing's not right for Bryan to become champion, since he's been moved down the card for now. But the fact that people still want Bryan to be champion is encouraging. Maybe WM30 will be when it happens.

2. Yeah, I also don't think they'd go for that idea for the reasons mentioned. We don't even know HBK's coming back to the ring at this point, though Bryan vs. HBK has the potential to be truly amazing.

3. I think he does it well, too. I hope he's got what it takes to go the distance in WWE.

4. The PPVs aren't finished? So they're still going on? Yeah, I wouldn't be shocked if there was some kind of "cliffhanger" ending to set up a rematch. I would actually find it hysterical if they had them take each other's titles, but I don't think most fans would agree.

5. I think the IWC has really overestimated how big of a deal Punk and Bryan are. They're popular, but they're not as big as Taker, Brock, Cena, etc. I don't see Punk vs. Bryan as nearly as big as something involving Rock, Austin, HBK, etc.

More wrestling tomorrow.