WWE has hired announcer Cathy Kelley. She has made appearances as an interviewer for Championship Wrestling from Hollywood, and has been a guest on Afterbuzz TV to discuss wrestling. Exactly what role they plan to use her in is unknown, but it's great to see someone with a knowledge of the business picked up as a voice for the product.
Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano lost to Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson in a title match on NXT's live event in Memphis. Neither have been signed full-time, but they're obviously more or less regulars at this point.
ROH had Jay Lethal and ODB do local media promotion ahead of this weekend's TV taping. They will also have a Q&A session with the Young Bucks before the show. I usually rag on those two, but I respect the hell out of how hard they hustle. They're incredibly athletic and have been quite successful.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
The following talents have been released from NXT:
- Bull Dempsey. I thought Dempsey had really worked hard to get in better shape and had improved as a worker in the "Bull-Fit" days. He had gotten over to some degree as a face with that gimmick, so it's a shame to see him go. I'd like to think he could get another chance if he gets himself some experience and skills outside of WWE. He'd be worth a look for TNA.
Update: Bull is already booked for an indie event in New Jersey next month. I'm glad he's moving right on to the next stage of his career.
- Sylvester LeFort. I'm not really surprised here considering we haven't seen him on TV in a good while. They had tried several things with him on live events, but clearly that wasn't going anywhere.
- Marcus Louis. He had a pretty funny promo in presentation class that was leaked online that probably wasn't appropriate for TV, and I enjoyed him as something of an "Igor" character. I think that character was pretty limited, but he played it well and it separated him from the pack. Hopefully he picks up some more skills outside the company and comes back to do good things (or ends up somewhere else when he gets more experience).
- Oscar Vasquez, formerly Magno in TNA and elsewhere. He didn't last long. Obviously WWE wants to get talents to appeal to the Latin demographic, but he must not have worked out for them. Hopefully the former La Sombra does really well in his absence.
- Pete Howard, former rugby player. Another guy who hadn't been there a full year.
It's worth noting it's sometimes something of a necessity to cut some talents who are spinning their tires or not really going places to make room for some new signings (Aries, Nakamura, etc.). Bull
is the only one I'm particularly surprised/disappointed to see go.
Baylor University is opposing WWE's trademark of "Balor Club." I don't think they'll get anywhere with that. It's unlikely to cause confusion in the marketplace, and it's not like WWE is playing off their property.
David Otunga spoke recently at the National Black Leadership Conference. That's good. He's a positive role model. I'm sure WWE likes having him around as an ambassador even if they have no plans for him as a wrestler, so he might be able to stay around just with his role on pre-show panels.
TNA has released Awesome Kong following the incident with Reby Sky. I can't say I'm surprised by that course of action. Nor am I surprised by them doing it on a Friday so it wouldn't get as much press. I think this could be it for Kong as a wrestler in the "major leagues." She's retired in Japan, and I don't see WWE picking her up after this incident. She was a really great performer as a "monster," and it's a shame she barely got to show what she could do in WWE.
Update: Kong acknowledged the release on Twitter. The Knockouts division is really reeling with no Kong or Taryn. Gail's obviously a really great athlete, but I don't think she's got much credible, good competition. Angelina's pregnant, so I think that really leaves Madison and Velvet as the other top Knockouts now (based on the work we've seen from all of them in TNA). Hopefully Maria, Rosemary, and Raquel are solid additions and we see them pick up some more talented female competitors.
Smackdown's audience this week was 2.66 million, down a bit from the previous week. However, the show was the highest-rated program on cable Thursday. So, that's pretty good news.
Former WCW performer Crowbar has returned to the ring after a pretty big double knee surgery. He's looking to continue taking bookings. I'm glad he was able to come back.
Joey Ryan will be part of YouShoot next month. That should be a blast.
As for NXT's Florida live event on Friday:
- Tucker Knight looks so much like Bull Dempsey it was actually reported at one point Knight was Bull with a new gimmick/name. Maybe WWE meant to cut him instead?
- Having another 6'9" guy should be interesting. The business needs some big men.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
Nothing to add to 1.
2. I think as a journalist, he had the responsibility to give a full and honest account of Axl's career and life. The personal demons were part of that story, and shouldn't be glossed over.
3. I wouldn't doubt the Rottens feud getting the early ECW some press, as that kind of violence really differentiated ECW from WCW and the WWF.
4. Lemmy from Motorhead, given his recent passing. I think he made enough of a mark in the company to justify it. I do think Cyndi Lauper should get a nod before too much longer, though, as she was an important figure for what was then the WWF. At some point, Muhammad Ali and Andy Kaufman deserve it, too.
Nothing to add to 5.
More wrestling tomorrow.
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