Superstars Reax - 7/3/15, Angle update, Interviews with Hogan/top TNA exec/Sasha, Magnus GFW debut set, WWE in Japan notes, Lesnar manager update, more WWE tryouts, one of WWE's champions injured, big stage for next Takeover special, and Questions on the Raw replay, the Wellness Policy, ROH crowd blurring, and injuries

Superstars:
- Ascension vs. Meta-Powers:
That was a fine tag match. Nothing too flashy, but it was fine for filling up time on Superstars. I wonder how much longer they're contracted to show Superstars internationally anyway...

Lots of stuff I've already seen, which is good to skip through so I can watch Beast in the East sooner.

I think I'd be more into Rose being paired with Mendes if we hadn't basically heard this same promo over and over now.

- Rose vs. Fandango:
That wasn't a bad match. We've just kind of seen it all already.

Everything else from yesterday is after the break.

Kurt Angle will be undergoing surgery to remove the benign tumor in his neck next week. He's expected to be out for roughly a month. That would seem to mean he won't be a part of the next set of Impact Wrestling tapings, but he's obviously a really big part of TNA. He might tough it out whether he's 100% or not. We'll see.




Hulk Hogan talked about wanting one more match at WM32, brother. The nWo vs. The New Age Outlaws and X-Pac for five minutes as a special attraction would be about all I'd want. He should definitely be there and do his signature stuff, but he shouldn't be a focal point.

TNA's Bob Ryder answered a lot of fan questions. Addressing some highlights:
- TNA wants to get Xplosion on the air in the U.S.. They've been wanting this for years. Spike didn't do it. DA didn't do it when they had a ton of other TNA content early in the year. I don't see it happening now given the numbers for Impact.

- TNA has talked about another midcard championship (this could be what the KOTM Title becomes). They've only got two hours of TV a week and their roster's not that huge. Probably not something they should do.

- More live events should be announced for August and September, and TNA looks to tour internationally in October or November. I'll believe it when I see it. The TNA roster is definitely antsy to work more dates.

- TNA is looking to take Impact Wrestling on the road again, potentially later in 2015. That wouldn't be a bad idea if it works financially.

- TNA at least at one point planned on bringing Havok back. Her contract might have expired since then, based on her trying out for NXT. Either way, I don't know if they'd bring her back after the Twitter controversy.

Update: It looks like she is officially done with TNA, as if there was any doubt.

- TNA could tour more European countries in 2016. I suspect those markets might be better for them than the U.S..

- TNA intends to keep working with AAA, and is interested in working with Evolve. I think that would help them keep things fresh, but they have much bigger problems than the talent end of things.

- TNA is looking at their PPV schedule for 2016. If PPVs aren't making money and they're able to stop doing them, they absolutely should. It's hard enough to get people to watch them on TV, much less pay a lot extra to watch a PPV.

- There's talk about a new TNA game. I don't know how much of a draw that would be, but it's worth looking into.

- TNA is interested in working with ROH, or possibly picking up some of their unsigned talents. I'd be OK with that. I don't know if ROH would be willing to work with TNA though.

- The KOTM Championship is expected to be defended at special events, whatever that means. This is definitely one of the more interesting aspects of TNA right now.

- TNA is looking to bring in new talent. Not a shock, given the departures.

Sasha Banks talked about NXT vs. WWE and more:
- Sasha vs. Bayley at the next Takeover would be great. I do think they're running out of opponents for her who her at her level. Maybe she should face someone from the main roster who isn't doing anything? Layla, for instance?

- Sasha's getting a real groundswell of support, like AJ had when she was on NXT Season 3. I think she can be a real success when she makes it to the main roster.

- I'm warming up to Dawson and Dillinger in what little we get to see of them. I've definitely heard the two of them have potential.

Nick Aldis, formerly TNA's Magnus, will debut for GFW on July 9. GFW's got some pretty regular shows for the summer. I can see why TNA names would be interested in getting work there when Impact's not taping. Following which talents "join the force" will be something to keep an eye on.

Finn Balor beat Chris Jericho on the July 3 live event from Japan. That match has been something fans have been looking forward to for a long time.

Brad Rheighans is also set for Raw. He was brought in at Lesnar's request. Fine by me.

WWE held tryouts for Japanese talents during their recent tour. That's a good move.

Tatsumi Fujinami was honored by Hideo Itami on WWE's July 3 live event. Hopefully Itami will have as strong of a legacy in the States as Fujinami did.

Nikki Bella worked through a torn hamstring, and recently separated her shoulder. The fact they've kept the title on her despite this is indicative of how much WWE likes the Bellas. At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised to see her break AJ's title reign. I really, REALLY hope I'm wrong about that.

Triple H announced the next NXT Takeover special will be in Brooklyn the night before Summerslam. I think it's smart to tie that in with Summerslam and Raw. Hopefully people who came for one or both of the other dates end up heading to Takeover, as well.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Needless to say, WWE REALLY wants Tough Enough to succeed. Ratings are way down from the 2011 version.

2. Not much to add here other than a lot of deaths could have been prevented had such a policy been implemented sooner. WWE going family friendly and being publicly traded means more scrutiny than during the Monday Night War, and I think wrestlers have benefited from that with the Wellness Policy becoming a thing.

Nothing to add to 3.

4. I wonder what Sinclair thought of ROH not acting on whatever it was, and if they expect ROH to do so in the future. Sinclair doesn't want to tick off advertisers who don't want to be associated with whatever material was censored.

5. Apparently Kane got a hand injury right after WM16. I don't know of any Jericho injuries. I also can't think of anyone who's been in the business that long without a big injury.

More wrestling tomorrow.