AWA Superclash II is now available on WWE Network. WWE looks to be focusing on its tapes and WCW Nitro for the time being, although I believe filling in the gaps of Raw and Smackdown archives is also a current priority.
WWE is expected to have an increased number of PPVs/Network special events following the brand split. That's certainly one way to get more Network subscribers and event revenue (especially if one show a month is Network-only), but a lot of fans are already burned out with so many hours of WWE content available each month. It's doable with a brand split, but will be difficult to pull off. I just hope they don't build an unsustainable bubble that pays off short term but hurts them in the long run.
Chris Jericho/Kevin Owens/Alberto Del Rio vs. Sami Zayn/Cesaro/Dean Ambrose is advertised for Smackdown. One strength of having two rosters will be not seeing all these names compete with each other so many times before a PPV. It should battle the aforementioned burnout if Raw and Smackdown are treated as something like two separate wrestling promotions.
J. Spade, Bu Ko Dao, and Perry Hawx of Wildkat Sports were extras during Raw's Sheamus/Apollo Crews segment. Crews and Corbin would have benefited from being held off the main roster until after the brand split. Things are a little too crowded for them to shine as it is.
David Otunga will be joining WWE's commentary team, calling Superstars this week with Dolph Ziggler. I think that's a great use for David. He'd also probably be a good authority figure, but this is a nice role, too. Otunga replacing JBL or King could be a long-term idea if Vince and Dunn like him in this capacity.
Big E suggested New Day for the cover of WWE 2K17. I'd be all for that. It'll probably be one or more of the former Shield, though, which makes sense.
TNA's chief financial and operating officer Dean Broadhead has indicated he is considering retiring from the company following a crisis this past week. Broadhead indicated he had to secure interim financing in order for production to take place on Slammiversary and this week's TV tapings.
- There's speculation Billy Corgan coming on as minority owner was what got TNA the funds to run the shows. The timing certainly fits. TNA narrowly avoided disaster in any case. There are still potential investors looking to make deals with the company; for TNA's case I hope a good deal to bring cash to the company is coming soon.
Dixie Carter was not at Slammiversary. While there could be a completely reasonable explanation for her not attending, missing the company's 14th anniversary show and second-biggest event of the year is an unusual occurrence for the president.
Triple H headed to China alongside a WWE referee to evaluate talents at a tryout event. It will be interesting to see if anything comes of that; I'm sure WWE would love to have talents from there as well as more talents from India.
WWE is reaching out to formerly contracted talents to gauge interest in returning for the brand split. I'm sure there are some talented performers who can pick back up where they left off and become successful. I wonder if Tajiri and Brian Kendrick are under consideration, given their upcoming entrance in the Cruiserweight Classic.
Amazing Red was initially slated to enter WWE's Cruiserweight Classic. However, an ankle injury kept him from competing. He certainly would have fit the bill. Luckily, WWE has plenty of other talented wrestlers involved with the event.
There are plans for NXT to run New Orleans in early August. The brand has so far not run that market.
The now-former Adam Rose is no longer facing charges after he provided proof of receiving assistance for his marital problems. The case against him is now closed. I hope this is a sign of his life moving in a more positive direction after a rough couple of months.
Raw's audience Monday was 2.97 million viewers going against the NBA Finals, which drew 20 million. Hopefully DVR numbers help them out; on the surface, that's the second-lowest audience of the three-hour Raw era.
Neville is expected to return in time for Battleground, with some estimating he'll be cleared by the end of the month. Neville vs. Rusev for the U.S. Title is a pretty intriguing possibility, and not just because neither man is from the U.S.
Pop TV experienced technical difficulties during the airing of Tuesday's Impact Wrestling. The feed stopped and started before things were finally straightened out after about an hour and 50 minutes. Pop then aired the episode from the beginning in its entirety, with no commercials.
- The difficulties were on Pop's end, at their master control facility. Things were fine on TNA's end.
- There were thunderstorms and heavy wind at the site of Pop's facility, so that could have affected things. I hope it's all sorted out now.
- Pop announced a Wednesday night replay for Impact in its normal time. That's a good move.
Lashley has signed a new deal with TNA. He's a key player there, and I expect that will continue going forward. I'm really enjoying his work as a destroying conqueror.
"DX Band" lead singer Chris Warren passed away at 49. His iconic voice has been heard on WWE TV a lot; it's sad to hear he's no longer with us.
Lince Dorado, who will be competing in this summer's Cruiserweight Classic, worked a dark match for TNA Monday night. So, if he doesn't end up getting a good offer from WWE after the CWC, it's possible TNA will pick him up. That's a pretty good situation to be in.
Chelsea Green from Tough Enough beat Mickie "Moose" Knuckles in a dark match before Tuesday's Impact. I wouldn't be surprised to see her join the TNA roster if WWE isn't interested in using her.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. There's no involvement between the two companies in relation to the network at this point.
2. WWE's hope is that if Brock gets hurt and can't appear, Summerslam still has enough firepower to be a big night. If he can't work Summerslam, it's possible they use him at a later PPV to "make up" for that. They're definitely hoping Brock comes out of the event unscathed enough to work their PPV. They've got a lot of money invested in him.
I defer to their answer for 3, given Dave's extensive tenure as a reporter. Nothing to add to his analysis.
4. Jeff pulled out Matt's middle name on Impact this week, so they're even-ish in that regard.
5. I definitely think there will be fans who heckle Brock if he loses, but I also think a lot of fans want to see him take Reigns or whomever to Suplex City. If he's booked strongly for the rest of the year, I don't see it hurting him all that much.
More wrestling tomorrow.
1. There's no involvement between the two companies in relation to the network at this point.
2. WWE's hope is that if Brock gets hurt and can't appear, Summerslam still has enough firepower to be a big night. If he can't work Summerslam, it's possible they use him at a later PPV to "make up" for that. They're definitely hoping Brock comes out of the event unscathed enough to work their PPV. They've got a lot of money invested in him.
I defer to their answer for 3, given Dave's extensive tenure as a reporter. Nothing to add to his analysis.
4. Jeff pulled out Matt's middle name on Impact this week, so they're even-ish in that regard.
5. I definitely think there will be fans who heckle Brock if he loses, but I also think a lot of fans want to see him take Reigns or whomever to Suplex City. If he's booked strongly for the rest of the year, I don't see it hurting him all that much.
More wrestling tomorrow.
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