NXT preview, NXT release, GFW-NJPW update, Interviews with Bischoff/Swagger/Martel, new head of WWE Network, Network adds ads, Summerslam 2015 location, big names at next week's Raw, Team 3D update, BFG notes, Smackdown audience, Raw guests, next Raw main event, Flair update, Alex Riley note, and Questions on long title matches on TV, Ambrose breaking out, WWE listening to fans, the 40-man Rumble, and (of course) John Cena

Set for this week's NXT:
- Sami Zayn vs. Tyson Kidd
- Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady vs. The Legionnaires
- The Lucha Dragons vs. Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy
- Carmella's in-ring debut
- Baron Corbin in action

Could be a pretty good show, especially that first match.

WWE has released the recently-signed Willie Mack. What? That's one of the shortest tenures of a wrestler in the big leagues ever. I hope he's OK.

Update: Mack issued a statement. Pretty vague. I was looking forward to seeing what he would do in NXT. Hopefully GFW or someone provides an outlet for him to show what he can do on a big scale.

Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
GFW is in negotiations to distribute all of NJPW's PPVs in the United States. I think that's a nice step for both sides to reach the U.S. market. I hope GFW does good things.

Eric Bischoff talked about working with Russo in WCW and a lot more. That was one of the best interviews I've read in a long time, because his is a perspective you don't usually hear. He has a lot of knowledge about how the business works, and I'm glad he shared some of it there.

WWE has named a new head of the Network. I hope he makes it a bigger success.

WWE Network has added limited non-WWE ads between shows. They're a business and trying to make money.

Summerslam 2015 will be in East Rutherford, NJ after so many years in Los Angeles. I remember hoping for Goldust's final match to be a Backlot Brawl in Hollywood on a major PPV. He won't get that chance next year. It's not a huge loss, but that would be an awesome moment.

Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart are set for next week's Raw. Move them to the dark segment or a commercial break or something and put an NXT match there instead. Time to make new stars, not live off the past.

Jack Swagger talked about Rock's return and more. Hopefully in fifteen years people are talking about the return of a star who's being made right now. "Oh man, Cesaro came back on Raw? He was amazing. I hope he has one more match in him."

Team 3D challenged Bullet Club again after Bound For Glory stopped taping. They're totally free contractually if NJPW (or GFW, WWE, etc.) wants to pick them up. I do think it was unprofessional to use a TNA/W1 event to challenge a team unaffiliated with either promotion, but it's not like either company can do much about it now that wouldn't just give 3D more publicity.

No one at Bound For Glory was told anything about a new U.S. TV deal. It's a good thing the people working there can work some indie dates, because they might not be in a TNA ring again for three full months.

Dixie Carter was not present at Bound For Glory, which is a little odd given how it's supposed to be the biggest show of the year. That probably didn't help morale.

There were apparently some disputes about financing and production between TNA and W1 for Bound For Glory. Imagine the no. 2 promotion for another country asking TNA for financial help in 2003 when they were just getting their feet wet. Things don't look great for the company's future from that perspective.

Smackdown drew 2.67 million viewers Friday night. I hope the move to Thursdays helps them.

Brad Maddox, Ric Flair, Jake Roberts, DDP, Evander Holyfield, TLC's Chili, MLB's Josh Reddick, and ESPN's Brad Nessler were all backstage at Raw. I wish some of those people appeared instead of the reality stars.

Update: Flair is still unable to do anything physical for WWE. I'm sure that eats him up. He'd probably still wrestle if they'd let him!

Update: In a departure from previous weeks, no NXT names were backstage at Raw. I wonder if and when we'll see another NXT showcase on the big shows.

Rick Martel discussed the year 1981 in WWE. I think Kayfabe Commentaries has put out some really good DVDs.

Next week's Raw will see John Cena and Dean Ambrose face Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, and Kane. Not an unexpected match. I look forward to it.

Alex Riley lost to CJ Parker at a recent NXT live event. I wouldn't assume he's getting back in the ring on a more permanent basis, although I thought he did good work.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. I wouldn't be shocked if WWE thought there needed to be less actual wrestling on the shows, not more. In their eyes, they're a sports-entertainment variety show, not rasslin'.

2. I think he should be fine in that regard.

3. WWE does listen to what fans want. They just listen more to kids in Cena shirts whose parents buy PPVs. I also want to see those names succeed and secondary titles matter more, too, but WWE's looking at whose merch sells and that kind of thing.

4. I don't think they're THAT petty, but I don't see them acknowledging Del Rio, either.

5. WWE is pushing Ambrose as a top-tier guy and a threat to The Authority. They're not going to stop pushing Cena overnight in favor of someone else, but it's not like they're not spotlighting Cena.

More wrestling tomorrow.