Bobby Roode is working GFW shows on Jan. 22-23. He's the only TNA talent set for the shows. I think it'd be beneficial for both companies to keep working together. TNA names could get more work/experience, and GFW names could fill out TNA cards.
GFW will be partnering with German promotion wXw for shows on April 22-23. International partnerships are a key part of GFW's plans.
Tommy Dreamer was not at this week's TNA TV tapings, leading to speculation of him being done with the company. Theoretically this opens him up to working regularly for WWE/NXT (rather in the ring or otherwise), although I expect he'll keep HoH as his top priority. I think that's a loss for TNA. He was a valuable addition to live events and an occasionally to TV.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
Paul Heyman talked about Brock returning on Raw. I really hope we're in for Brock vs. Reigns at WM32.
Flyers advertising EVOLVE's events in Florida during Royal Rumble week were passed out at the most recent NXT taping. The relationship between WWE and WWNLive continues to grow. I hope we see more positive things coming from it in the months and years to come; it could be really beneficial for both sides.
WWE alumni listed as potential personalities for reality projects on WWE Network include Beth Phoenix, Trish Stratus, Lita, Mick Foley, and Kevin Nash. Current superstars were also listed. I just found those names interesting. I hope we're not looking at Foley or Nash in the Rumble this year...
WWE filmed a pilot for "WWE Kids," with children doing commentary with Corey Graves and two other children ring announcing. Segments included an in-ring interview with Big Show, and Becky Lynch facing Natalya. It will be interesting to see if this show catches on, and what it means for the company's direction as a whole if it does. Before anyone asks, I don't see this as a precursor to "going back to the Attitude Era" on other shows since they have this for a younger audience.
Dixie Carter talked about the state of TNA after Impact's debut on Pop:
- I'm glad TNA's with a network that doesn't just want to take shots at "fake wrestling."
- Getting 1,000 fans isn't bad. They've got a lot of growing to do, though.
- Yikes. They've really fallen from the 1.3 million viewers days.
- The idea that TNA just needs to make good TV is laughable. They need promotion and they need to get people to check the show out. Ask fans of a show like Firefly how effective just focusing on making a good show is.
- I think the whole "WWE going after TNA talent" thing needs some clarification. Joe and James Storm were just signed to work NXT, and the Dudley Boys and Sting achieved greater fame outside of TNA.
- Storm got a great deal to stay in TNA.
- Getting big names can be important, but it's definitely not everything. Characters developing is really important. Signing people to do the same thing they did 10 or more years ago isn't going to work for long for anyone.
- Having workers do things that don't feel scripted can be good if they have more leeway with their characters. Just don't go too deeply into "worked shoot" territory where Matt Hardy calls EC3 by his real name or something.
Roman Reigns is replacing John Cena on WWE's Indian tour. That's pretty telling about how highly they regard the current WWE Champion.
Daniel Bryan tweeted in regard to WWE's potential new NJPW signings. I hope they do clear him soon! That's the doctors' call, though.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. WWE can't sign Anderson and Nakamura (or Fale, for that matter) until their contracts are up at the end of the month. As was said, they have to pass medical testing and possibly some other paperwork to work regularly in the U.S.
2. It's important to get to the bottom of the myriad rumors before posting something unconfirmed. As was said, there's no way any of them could have been signed before the Jan. 5 show was over. They still have to pass medical testing, and some of them still haven't even finished out their deals. There's been some sloppy reporting out there. There's interest in signing them, but they haven't been signed yet.
3. I don't think WWE would play along with it if it was. At least, there's no evidence of it being a big work. Occam's razor and all.
4. I really doubt it, since that group is going to continue in some fashion in NJPW. As fitting as it would be for WWE to blatantly rip off what those guys made famous given that's pretty much what Bullet Club members have done at times, I suspect they'll just be Balor Club or something.
5. I really doubt they'd give up their NJPW deals for TNA or ROH. There haven't been any reports of them potentially going there, at any rate.
6. Maybe. It depends on how important they think that name is, and if AJ would be willing to let them use it for merchandise. Hopefully it'd be a case like Samoa Joe, where HHH recognizes the value AJ has built for more than a decade as AJ. I think the sticking point would be what happens if the WWE deal goes south and AJ wants to be AJ Styles somewhere else.
7. I don't know how well he cuts promos in English, but we could be seeing soon enough! And I kind of miss the misadventures of the first Sin Cara...
More wrestling tomorrow.
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