WWE and NXT live event notes, two (more) former World Champions departing TNA, Aries contract update, Balor reunites with the BC, Raw gets a replay, Rock makes surprise appearance, big Angle health update, new TNA Hall of Famer announced, Karen on TNA return, and Questions on TNA's taping schedule, the go-home show for Slammiversary, King What's Up, and Freddy in Memphis

Here are results from this weekend's NXT live event. Good to see new names being added to things. I hope Uhaa Nation and Solomon Crowe step up on the TV show in the months to come.

James Storm and Magnus have asked for and received their releases from TNA, effective right after Slammiversary. I would assume Mickie James is leaving as well. They've been a big part of the company's storylines lately, so that's really going to affect things going forward. Of course, Storm and Magnus are both former TNA Champions. Storm has been part of the company literally since the first show. It's almost hard to imagine the company without him in particular. Both are very talented, and I think wherever they each go next will be fortunate to have them. I hope WWE at least considers the duo (and Mickie as a trainer and/or agent?).

Update: Both men have opportunities for work outside the company. With TNA running fewer shows, they wanted to be able to pick up more regular bookings. It's entirely possible they continue to work for TNA at TV tapings, but they will be free agents and can also work elsewhere. 

Everything else from yesterday is after the break.

Austin Aries is also expected to be finished with TNA after Slammiversary. He and TNA may continue to work together as well, but he's able to explore other opportunities, too. WWE should absolutely make a play for him for the NXT brand.

Naturally, there's speculation of recently released/soon to be released TNA talents heading to GFW. TNA is open to working with GFW, so it's possible these talents work both companies. That's great news for Jeff Jarrett, and he should try to pick some of these names up for his own if WWE doesn't.

Finn Balor appeared on the latest edition of the Bullet Club's podcast, taped at Full Sail. I'm glad WWE let him do that. I think he's set for big things. I wouldn't be shocked if he's called up on the post-WM32 Raw. I think a lot of that timing depends on when Sami Zayn is cleared to return and what they do with him.

A two-hour version of Raw will be the lead-in for Tough Enough Tuesday. Obviously WWE and USA want Tough Enough to be a hit.

The Rock made an appearance at a WWE live event in Boston, where he's filming his latest movie. This show was the "make good" show for the Raw that was a victim of the blizzard earlier in the year. That's pretty cool.

Update: Rock was involved in a segment with Bo Dallas, which of course ended in a Rock Bottom and People's Elbow being hit on the former NXT Champion. Bo's great for that kind of thing.

That live event also saw Ryback beat Mark Henry, Luke Harper team with Heath Slater, Jericho team with Ziggler vs. King Barrett and Sheamus, and Owens vs. Cena. So, pretty newsworthy show.

Kurt Angle has announced he was diagnosed with a tumor in his neck and will require surgery to have it removed. Apparently, he's known about this issue for almost a full year, but has gotten to the point where it is leading to muscle atrophy. I'd like to think WWE would have caught that and not let him compete until he had it dealt with if he signed there. Wow. As much as I've loved his matches in TNA, this is very concerning.

Dixie Carter spoiled the latest TNA Hall of Famer. The ceremony, usually put on at Bound For Glory, will instead be shown on a future episode of Impact Wrestling. That's a great gesture, and a nice closure for that performer's time in the company.

Karen Jarrett talked about appearing in TNA again. It was definitely a big moment with some interesting implications. I don't think we're in for TNA being combined with GFW or anything at this stage, but the two sides will work together.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. They had already booked the tapings when the show was moved from Fridays to Wednesdays. It would have been much more expensive to move them to after Slammiversary given the extra costs of hotels and such. They did the best they could as far as taping dates, I think. As for the hype for the show, I agree it was pretty lackluster before the surprise return of the Jarretts. They were set to have Angle vs. EC3 at the show, but then DA more or less blind-sided them with the move to Wednesdays.

2. TNA tried to pull out ALL the stops to get people interested in the product again. They definitely did all they could to get hype for the PPV in that episode. There are still big surprises and plot points for upcoming episodes. Next week's show has Angle vs. EC3 for the title, BDC vs. The Rising in a match where the losing team disbands, a triple threat for the Knockouts Championship, and the final match of the tag team series. I'd say there's definitely exciting things ahead for the on-screen product.

3. New? He's been crazy R-Truth for some time now. But, yeah, he's there for some comic relief between more serious segments.

4. I miss some of the kind of campy stuff like that. What's the 2015 version of gimmicks like Mortis and Glacier? I'd much rather see goofy cartoon character wrestling than spotfests, although I think too much of either is overkill.

More wrestling tomorrow.