WWE live event notes, EVOLVE name teasing jump to NXT, WWE plans for MSG, Sting update, Roode talks TNA, Galloway misses EVOLVE shows, what Regal did at EVOLVE, and Questions on Hogan vs. Gawker, Hogan returning, PPVs in Chicago, Rock's appeal outside wrestling, Roode/Young in WWE, why to watch Shane vs. Taker, what ends WM32, fan apathy, and whether the Network is a success

Notes from WWE in New York:
- Alberto Del Rio, Miz, Paige, and Kevin Owens were all given the weekend off from live events. Hey, everyone needs some time off from that kind of grind.

- Eric Rowan worked as a face in a loss to Ryback. Whaaa? Not sure what they were thinking there.

- Sin Cara beat Diego of Los Matadores. No Fernando or El Torito. Weird. I still want to see Fernando and Diego rebooted as Del Rio's bodyguards or something.

- Steve Wilkos and Sam Roberts were in attendance.

At EVOLVE 56, TJ Perkins cut a promo informing William Regal he's a free agent. So, there's your official tease of him heading to NXT. Given the amount of experience he has at his age, he's definitely worth a look. Global Cruiserweight Series?

Everything else from yesterday is after the break.

At next Friday's WWE show in Madison Square Garden:
- Triple H will team with Sheamus vs. Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose.

- Daniel Bryan will be in attendance.

Sting disputed the reports of his retirement. We'll find out for sure during WM32 weekend.

Bobby Roode discussed his TNA departure (includes a spoiler for Roode's upcoming TV matches):
- I think he's right for the most part about TNA being stuck in a rut. Realistically, he'd be wrestling a lot of the same people he's been wrestling if he was to stay there. TNA's problems have nothing to do with the efforts of people like Roode and Young, though.

- It's not out of the question for Roode to do more work for TNA.

- TNA might be the second-largest wrestling company in the U.S., but I don't think it's as big as, say, NJPW.

- I'm not shocked his phone's already ringing. Hopefully Samoa Joe, Austin Aries, and AJ Styles want him and Eric Young to join them in WWE.

- I think he's a really well-liked talent, whatever people feel about TNA.

Drew Galloway was unable to make EVOLVE 57 due to his flight running into trouble with the weather in the Northeast. He couldn't make EVOLVE 56 due to being at a TNA booking at the time of that show. Needless to say, the EVOLVE crowd wasn't pleased with TNA in this scenario.

Also at EVOLVE 57, Matt Riddle demanded a WWE contract from William Regal. Regal told Riddle to win the EVOLVE Championship, and they'll talk. So, maybe we see Riddle in NXT someday.

For my take on the first set of yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. I do think the sex tape was newsworthy given who Hogan is and it was his best friend's wife, but I agree it's hurt his reputation substantially and was absolutely an invasion into the private life of Terry Bollea. From the sound of things, that huge number might be reduced later on. It's definitely a really hefty sum.

2. Hogan's not out of the woods yet. This trial could end up going on appeal, which means he'll likely continue to be in the news for things WWE doesn't approve of. Unless WWE is REALLY desperate to pop a rating or something, I think they'll air on the side of caution for now.

3. They must prefer it for hosting one PPV over the other. It's not like Chicago isn't going to chant for a certain UFC fighter no matter what show it is.

4. I do think Rock's endeavors outside of wrestling have dwarfed Hogan's. He's definitely someone for the current generation to inspire to be. I mean, they're not making a sequel to "Santa with Muscles," are they?

5. Their website and YouTube page are your best bets.

For my take on the second set of yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. IT'S A NEW DAY, YES IT IS!  I think the odds are good WWE makes them each an offer. How much they're willing to invest, and whether they'd go right to the main roster, are the real questions here. Unless Roode and EY would rather work the indies or something (like Young wanting to do another reality series), there are decent odds we see them arrive later this year like Joe, Aries, and Styles before them.

2. I don't think anyone expects Shane to win clean. But this isn't going to be a wrestling match as much as it's going to be a war with weapons and possibly interferences. Hell, Taker's no spring chicken himself. If Shane uses his speed to his advantage and swings enough kendo sticks, he might just stand a chance. He had wars with Kane and Kurt Angle years ago, so I wouldn't count that out here against a more than 50-year-old Taker. Not everyone likes a big wild "hardcore" match, but this match is supposed to appeal to the casual fans who want to see a spectacle. Shane's going all-or-nothing in this endeavor to get control of Raw. A Taker loss would have to be done really carefully (maybe he turns on Vince and walks out? Maybe Vince makes it a handicap match and eats the pin himself?), but I don't see why it'd affect his real-life reputation. He's doing what he's booked to do.

3. The true main event is the one that's hyped the most and has the most fan anticipation. Take that for what you will. And Dave's wrong (unsurprisingly); the stipulation for Shane vs. Taker is control of Monday Night Raw, hinting at a brand extension. Shane doesn't get all of WWE if he wins. I could see Taker's match closing the show in Dallas if it's not the WWE Title match. As for Vince, he's listening to the fans. Unfortunately for Reigns detractors, that means listening to ALL the fans, not just the people reading dirtsheets.

4. I think it says a lot more about how overexposed the talents are from so much WWE content in a week than anything. Not to mention WWE trying to please the hardcore fans at the possible expense of casual fans who've never heard of "Jon Moxley" or "Kevin Steen," and don't follow NXT.

5. I think it's a success! We are only two years in, though. It remains to be seen if it revolutionizes their business in the years to come.

More wrestling tomorrow.