Currently set for the next NXT Takeover special, R Evolution:
- NXT Championship vs. NXT Career: Adrian Neville vs. Sami Zayn
- NXT Women's Championship: Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks
- NXT Tag Team Championship: Lucha Dragons vs. The Vaudevillains
- Finn Balor and Hideo Itami vs. The Ascension
- Kevin Owens debuts.
That's a big lineup! A good deal of talent involved. The name's goofy, though.
The WWE Network is now cleared to be broadcast on other carriers in Canada. That's good! I hope that means results for WWE.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
Roddy Piper gave an overview of his career and more. He's a character, for sure. I wish he was doing promo classes at the WWEPC.
WWE responded to the recent allegations by C.M. Punk. That was a very "PR" answer and didn't really address Punk's concerns, but it's possible WWE can't say more about the former employee's situation.
Josh Mathews is expected to replace Mike Tenay on commentary when TNA begins broadcasting on Destination America. Tenay lives in Las Vegas, while Mathews lives near TNA's offices in Nashville. So this is a cost-cutting move. Tenay is expected to remain in the company in some fashion. That's a good move, I think. I'd like to see them replace Taz with JB as well, if possible. JB and Mathews are younger and fresher than a former WCW commentator and former ECW Champion, and JB's a TNA guy through-and-through. A big thing TNA needs to do now is establish their own identity and not just be a retread of what worked in other promotions ten or more years ago. Having some names from "the past" is OK if they can still contribute (Hardys, Gail, etc.), but it's time to kick some names to the curb in favor of some fresh faces.
Chris Jericho played off the buzzed-about Punk interview when promoting his own podcast on Twitter. At least he's got a sense of humor about it.
The NY Post looked at the current state of WWE business. I can't blame anyone calling for some new leadership. It could be really beneficial for someone who's not in the McMahon bubble to gain some control and influence.
Ryback disputed C.M. Punk confronting him about Punk's injuries, and promised to address Punk's comments more at a later time. This Tweet has since been deleted.
Colt Cabana says Punk did the recent podcast to make closure for himself and his fans. I hope he can move on now, although I'm sure it will take time given how much he's gone through.
A number of outlets have picked up Punk's claims: FOX Sports, TMZ, USA Today, and Deadspin. I wonder if WWE will release any other statements, or if they just want this to blow over.
Here's more from the Punk interview:
- How WWE still doesn't know how to handle pay with the Network is beyond me. They're really irresponsible.
- The "keep working through injury or you're a quitter and don't get paid" mentality is BS.
- They could have done more with Punk as champion, but Cena is the end-all, be-all in WWE's universe.
- Punk was in real danger for working hurt.
- Feeding SES to Big Show was really, really stupid. They should have done more with Punk instead of putting over Show yet again.
- Of course Vince's idea was to pair Punk with Big Show. They've always got to use Show somehow. I get he's a veteran and all that, but it's really time for some new names to get the spotlight. It has been for years.
- Taker's another guy WWE always has to have a plan for at the expense of new talents. I hope he brings in enough money for that path to be worth it.
Here's even more from the Punk interview.
- Punk was used to help the really green Ryback, and the part-time movie star. I can see why he was so upset. He did a damn good job with it, but that's just a testament to how good he is.
- Losing to two part-timers in Rock and Taker made sense in some ways, but it was a case of the workhorse putting over the already-established guys who were just there for a few big events.
- The part-timers and older guys do get way too much leeway in WWE (and TNA for that matter).
- Punk sticking it to Vince on the part-timers thing was great. It's a shame Vince doesn't listen.
- Triple H generally only puts talents over begrudgingly, while things end up back with him in the spotlight with the focus on him instead of the guy he's supposed to be putting over.
- Rock, Brock, and Taker absolutely were draws for WM29. They're over with a lot of fans who have never heard of Punk. That's why they got paid more.
All in all, an interview everyone should check out.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. I think Sting/Taker or Sting/HHH make more sense. Sting/HBK feels like it'd be coming out of nowhere, given how the latter has only appeared sporadically in recent years, and officially retired a few years back. If we're not getting HBK/Bryan, I don't see much reason for him to burn his retirement.
2. Supposedly there was a plan to turn Smackdown into a WCW show once that fell through, but WCW was seen as being on its last legs and not worth the expense and headache of making to be at WWE's level.
3. I do think we're in a lull as far as Brock goes. The idea of him facing John Cena yet again isn't all that exciting, and a lot of fans aren't looking forward to Brock vs. Roman, either. Anything following beating Taker's streak is a step down, but he's definitely out of things to do now that he's faced Cena twice.
4. If Brock's contract ends at WM31, he can sign with UFC before Raw the next night!
5. I definitely think more original programming would be a plus. I also know it's not as cheap as just putting up more old content. I wonder if WWE should have waited until Summerslam to launch the Network given its early stumbles.
More wrestling tomorrow.
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