Maddox note, NXT lineup, Bryan update, EC3 to miss time, WWE Week on USA Network, Smackdown audience, Brock contract update, Reigns' next opponent, New Day update, WWE looks for more international talent, Rumble return set?, what happened after Raw, more Grumpy Cat, and Questions on TNA going under, the Dudleys, the Wyatts, and Rollins

Brad Maddox is still under contract to WWE. He's just in the Alumni section of WWE.com due to his fictional firing months back. Will he be the new GM figure if/when Team Authority goes down at Survivor Series? It would be poetic justice.

Set for this week's NXT:
- Becky Lynch vs. Bayley
- Baron Corbin vs. Elias Simpson
- Bull Dempsey vs. Steve Cutler
- Tyson Kidd vs. CJ Parker
- Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady vs. The Mechanics

Honestly, that's not as strong of a lineup with no Zayn, Neville, Itami, or Balor in action. Itami and Balor are on the show, but not in an advertised match. I think there's still some potential there, and everyone involved could use the TV time and experience. That's ultimately what NXT is about.

Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
Daniel Bryan said he hopes to be back in the ring by January so as to be at WM31. There's no official timetable for him returning. I miss him a lot. Very talented, hardworking, and humble guy.

Ethan Carter III could miss up to six months following biceps surgery. That's a real shame. He's one of the best parts of TNA.

WWE and USA Network have a big "WWE Week" set for December, featuring a live Smackdown and Tribute to the Troops. I imagine WWE will be in a bit of a lull between the fallout from Survivor Series and the beginning of the build to the Rumble. I'm really curious to see what they do with no Authority around (assuming they lose on Sunday).

Smackdown got 2.72 million viewers Friday night. That's a nice boost from previous weeks.

There's talk of Brock Lesnar going back to UFC once his current WWE contract ends at WM31. I wouldn't be shocked if he thinks he's healthy enough for it. I didn't expect his return to be a long-term deal, anyway, so I'm not really upset. He should definitely put someone over BIG on the way out if that's the case. It would set an interesting precedent if Brock ended Taker's WWE run at WM30, while someone ended Brock's run at WM31.

Roman Reigns is being advertised as facing Rusev on December live events. That should be interesting. I think he's a likely candidate to win the Rumble in 2015.

Next week's Raw guest host will be Larry The Cable Guy. He's in a holiday movie with Santino Marella, so WWE's promoting that through him. Hopefully Rusev puts him in the Accolade.

Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods did media appearances before Raw. I can see them becoming the next tag team champions, possibly leading to Goldust vs. Stardust/Cody Rhodes in 2015.

William Regal has been scouting talents for WWE in Brazil, and is next going to India on the search for new potential NXT signings.

Chris Jericho is advertised for the WWE live event before the Royal Rumble, naturally leading to speculation of another Mania season run. I hope they've got a good angle lined up for him. As talented as he is, he's running out of things to do and feuds to have. My suggestion for a Mania opponent? Cesaro, to build off the big win at WM30.

After Raw, Joey Mercury and Kane helped Triple H to the back before the faces all celebrated. I'm really surprised he's not positioned as a big badass anymore. I almost expect him to come in with a sledgehammer and save Team Authority Sunday. That said, it's not like he and Stephanie don't have a full plate behind the scenes.

Here are some photos from Grumpy Cat's appearance at Raw. I actually like Grumpy Cat. There've been much worse WWE humor segments.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. I definitely want for there to be good, strong wrestling companies out there on the marketplace. Having more places to work and make a living is good for the wrestlers and good for the business. I think I'd rather see a reformed TNA than a dead one, but there have definitely been times when I've wanted TNA to go under in order for someone else to use their talents in a better manner. Whether a new promotion would get as far as TNA has and make as much money for the wrestlers as TNA has is a question we can't know the answer to, and that scares people.

2. This of course led to some heat when WWE released them in 2005 and kept the rights to the name Dudleys.

Nothing to add to 3.

4. They're doing pretty well for themselves after Raw. What happens after the theoretical Harper vs. Rowan IC Title feud is anyone's guess. I'm OK with them trying something different with the two of them. They can both succeed if WWE plays their cards right.

5. Yeah, screw them for getting Rollins over as a dangerous heel instead of just having a top name disappear for a few weeks. I think it's great to use people's absences to get heat.

More wrestling tomorrow.