Piper cause of death, Bully-TNA update, TNA moves live event, Tough Enough contestant updates, WWE press, Smackdown dark match, new Network content, ROH injury note, Interviews with Lethal/Show/Reigns, HHH conference call, new TNA live events, city hoping for Mania, TE finals matches set, Takeover panel, WWE trademark, and Questions on predictability, overseas tours, Demolition in the HoF, Hogan merch, and Brock's promos

TMZ reported the cause of death for Roddy Piper: A blood clot, likely exacerbated by years of high blood pressure. Hopefully others with that malady do their best to keep it in check.

TNA has officially announced Bully Ray is out "indefinitely." While he's still listed on their roster page, he has parted ways with the company.

TNA moved their September 18 live event for logistical reasons. More on that after the break. Sometimes that happens.

Former Tough Enough competitors Mada and Daria are now training with Brian Kendrick. That's good for them. I hope it works out for everyone involved.

Everything else from yesterday is after the break.

GQ looked at WWE's fitness on the road. It's a tough life!


Hornswoggle beat Heath Slater before Smackdown in Swoggle's home market. I guess there are hard feelings after 3MB disbanded.

WWE has added some new Nitro episodes from 1997 and 1998 to the Network. They're continuing to digitize and upload old stuff.

Chris Sabin has been working over some kind of neck issue, which would explain why we haven't seen him in the ring for ROH lately.

Jay Lethal talked about several wrestling icons to Sports Illustrated. I wish he'd end up in NXT.

Triple H had a big conference call ahead of Takeover: Brooklyn:
- I'm really surprised NXT sold 13,000 tickets. That's really amazing.

- I'm fine with a 90-minute show for NXT that Wednesday. They can obviously have too much of a good thing, but I don't think there's danger of that yet.

- Cool opportunity for fans of NXT at the WWEPC.

- I'm glad they are trying different things in WWE and NXT.

- I think everyone's forgetting ROH wanted to run in the same markets as WWE. I don't think they have much reason to complain about WWE adding an additional show in the same time frame.

- It's great when some main roster talents come down to spice up NXT and rejuvenate their own careers. Ditto for veterans like Rhyno and Joe. Obviously they have to have a delicate balance of established names and trainees.

- I think there are real opportunities for other NXT names to step up with certain names "graduating."

TNA has announced more live events for the weekend before Bound For Glory and the week of Halloween, in addition to replacing the dropped live event from Sept. 18. That's great news given the lack of dates on their calendar for so long. That should mean more money in the pockets of TNA performers.

Minnesota is looking to host a future WrestleMania after building a new stadium. Obviously that being Brock's neck of the woods would lend itself well to Mania.

Big Show talked about not retiring and more. I can see his career going the route of Booker T. where he's an authority figure who occasionally wrestlers, then a commentator. Or he'll be like Corporate Kane. Who knows?

Roman Reigns talked about the fans' reaction to him and more. I think everything worked out in hindsight with Rollins cashing in. He took that ball and ran with it in a way I don't think Reigns could have.

Alicia Fox will be wrestling the female finalists on Tough Enough, while Cesaro will wrestle the males. Both good choices!

Renee Young, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves, and Lita will be the pre-show panel for Takeover in Brooklyn. I really want to see Sasha and Bayley involved with Lita to further sell the NXT Women's Title match.

WWE has recently applied to trademark "Cryme Tyme," which would mean JTG and Shad (or anyone else) would be unable to use it in other promotions.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. If you're smart enough to know the title won't change hands, you're presumably smart enough to know it's a work. As such, wins and losses don't matter. Just watch the action and don't worry about how much you already know.

2. WWE has offices in multiple areas around the globe. They're well-prepared for international tours.

3. Sure. I'd be surprised if they're never inducted. The HoF is a work anyway, so it just depends on when Vince and co. feel like putting them in.

4. There's only so much they can do on that end. It's entirely possible word hasn't reached that particular store or the companies running them haven't pulled the merchandise. WWE just won't be making any more.

5. I think it works wonderfully for Heyman to do the talking and Brock to focus on the suplexing. Brock's promos should be short and sweet.

More wrestling tomorrow.