Also advertised for NJPW's show on Jan. 30 are Bad Luck Fale, Karl Anderson, and Doc Gallows. So, if any of them are going to WWE, it won't be until after that show.
Interestingly, Bad Luck Fale, Karl Anderson, and Doc Gallows are also advertised for shows in mid-February. Cards are always subject to change, but it doesn't look like any of their departures are imminent. I'm guessing this is a case of them "hedging their bets," staying with NJPW on a per-show basis while they negotiate with WWE. That way if they don't get signed by HHH, they'll still be able to continue in Japan.
ROH names are also set for upcoming NJPW shows, namely Michael Elgin, The Briscoes, The Young Bucks, reDRagon, and Matt Sydal.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
The Miz will be on a future episode of Supernatural. I think his employment with WWE is safe as long as he has appeal outside the ring.
Sheamus needed stitches after his brawl with Dean Ambrose. I wonder how many he'll need after Brock's done with him at the Rumble (assuming Brock is actually in the Rumble match).
NFL star Drew Brees was ringside at Raw, which is pretty cool.
Fox Sports interviewed Mauro Ranallo about his new role in WWE. I'm pleasantly surprised WWE hired someone with some credible sports experience to call their "sports entertainment variety show."
WWE has appointed Joji George as VP/GM for WWE India. They intend for that to be a major market going forward.
Ric Flair is expected to induct Sting into the WWE Hall of Fame. That's fitting given their rather rich history in the ring.
William Regal's appearance at EVOLVE is expected to be something just for the live audience. WWE/NXT has the rights to use his image on PPVs. It could be a legal hassle to have him appear in that capacity for someone else.
The conversations to have NXT names appear for EVOLVE started earlier in January, so that's a pretty quick turnaround. WWE is helping EVOLVE out, since it's seen as something of a feeder for their developmental system. It's pleasantly surprising for WWE to do something beneficial for a smaller company.
EVOLVE is seeing more wrestlers sign up for their training seminars as a result of the working relationship with WWE.
Sasha Banks has suffered an MCL injury and is not expected back in the ring until next month. Perfect to build to her facing Charlotte WM32. Sasha winning the belt, then dropping Naomi and Tamina to be her own woman is the path I'd like to see for the months following WM32.
Paige gave an update on why we haven't seen her in the ring lately:
- WWE is obviously taking concussions very seriously.
- Wait, Rosa Mendes is still part of Total Divas? I guess that makes sense; they could focus on her pregnancy. She has an uncanny ability to remain employed despite her lack of use in important roles beyond appearing on "Total Divas."
- Having Paige's mom in action could pretty interesting. She still wrestles pretty regularly at 44.
- She's dead-on about the NXT Divas needing more character than they got upon their initial introduction. It was pretty much "here are some new Divas in some teams!"
- I think they should hold off until summer at the least before calling Bayley up. Not because she's not great, because she is. I think they need some more time to build up the next crop of Divas to take over in Bayley's absence, and they don't want Bayley to get lost in the shuffle with the other new-ish Divas. Wait until we get well acquainted with Sasha, Charlotte, and Becky before bringing up another new Diva.
Raw's audience Monday was 3.32 million. They had really stiff competition from the national college football championship game, which drew around 25 million viewers! If only the XFL had done that well...
Luke Hawx made a cameo on Raw backstage with Dean Ambrose. Segments with extras can be a fun game of "find the indie star."
Former soccer player Hugo Knox talked about his journey to NXT. I've seen his name working live events, but I'm not very familiar with him.
Matt Taven recently underwent surgery on a torn ACL, ruptured lateral meniscus, and torn medial meniscus. He's expected to miss around nine months. So, for anyone expecting him to join Mike Bennett in TNA, it's not happening anytime soon.
Curry Man will be having a match with Roderick Strong soon. I'd love to see him on TV again. He was a lot of fun in TNA.
TNA has decided not to renew Manik's contract. The character has already been moved to the Alumni section of their website, so they won't be putting someone else in the mask. TJ Perkins had been vocal about wanting to work as himself in TNA, but obviously that won't be happening. I suspect he'll continue working EVOLVE. As for what TNA does without him, they'll really need to rebuild the X-Division in 2016.
Brock Lesnar is advertised for next week's Raw, a live event in Montreal on March 11, and a Smackdown taping on March 22. I wonder how many suplexes will be delivered on each of those dates.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Becky's still a face, just a fired-up one getting revenge. And I think Team B.A.D. (or at least Sasha) will be face when the program between Becky and Charlotte is over/Sasha's cleared to return to the ring. Right now, I see them as tweeners.
2. Because now heels are either "cool heels" or not really allowed to get much heat before a face cuts them off. Faces aren't getting the beatdowns they used to, because everyone kicks out of finishers left and right and it's more about moves and catch phrases than the story of the match. It's even worse in the indies (and at times TNA). Everyone's embracing it being a work and just worrying about "putting on a good show" instead of getting heat for the heels and such. They can't upset anyone anymore or do blading or things that could cause concussions, so things are more limited now.
3. That's a pretty great idea for the HoF, I think.
4. There are plenty of talents who aren't well known, working in other promotions or other countries, who will end up being on WWE's radar as they gain a higher profile and better resume. So, I'm not really worried.
5. Someone needs to lay off the smark Kool-Aid. I also say he was a pretty solid talent, and a valuable player. At times it made sense for him to be World Champion or pushed heavily given his name value, experience, and work ethic. He was the rock TNA was built on as it was finding its way. The X-Division was a draw, but not THE draw. The "JJ was never a draw" thing is more of an urban legend than anything.
More wrestling tomorrow.
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