NXT will promote the WWE Network in the UK as part of their appearances at the Download Festival, as well as hold a contest to come to the U.S. for Summerslam weekend. So, they're going to start the sell to the next Takeover special pretty much immediately after "The End."
WWE got press for Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks meeting with a former Make-a-Wish child and lots of other fans this weekend.
WWE has named a former Mattel executive as a vice president of their brand. The molding of themselves as a PG/family-friendly company continues.
Some highlights from Brock Lesnar on SportsCenter:
- Basically Brock didn't want to wake up 20 years from now without having another fight, after his previous run ended due to the illness.
- This has been in the works for three months. Brock called UFC up and asked how to make a fight at UFC 200 happen.
- Interesting to hear this might not just be a one-time return. He's got WWE by the balls.
- Brock saying he doesn't care about anyone but himself was great on one level.
- Pretty straightforward interview of Brock putting himself over in true Brock fashion. It was fun for that purpose.
-- In another interview with ESPN, Brock stated he beat Vince in an arm wrestling match in order to get permission to compete in UFC. I wouldn't be shocked at all. Vince is a trip. GODDAMNIT BROCK YOU'RE ON PAL. WHERE'S MY PROTEIN SHAKE?
Ric Flair's podcast will be returning on June 30 at a new home. He could always be brought back to second Sasha against Charlotte, but it's possible we don't see him for a while.
NXT Takeover: Brooklyn will once more take place the night before Summerslam. This has been expected for a while, but is just now being officially announced. It's possible they didn't want this Takeover special to overshadow The End, and waited for that reason. Hopefully they get another sellout crowd.
Danny Miller, territory era star, passed away at 84. PWInsider remembered him and covered his career.
Elias Samson's injury is confirmed as a fractured left angle. He is currently with a cast and crutches. I hope he doesn't miss much time. I expect he'll be a more important part of the brand going forward.
Cody Rhodes will work a number of dates for EVOLVE, including the afternoon show before Takeover:Brooklyn. Someone needs to book him either alongside or against Sandow.
Cedric Alexander is booked for upcoming EVOLVE shows as well, which continues the speculation of him being on the road to NXT. He still hasn't been officially announced for the CWC, although he's heavily rumored to join that event.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. The Hardys are in a pretty intense feud. After Jeff destroyed Matt in a Last Man Standing match, Matt used Jeff's alter ego Willow to play mind games with Jeff and debuted his own alter ego to show just how far off the deep end the feud has driven him. The Hardys have a lot of pull creatively, and their styles combined with Billy Corgan's mindset means we get this kind of angle. People are talking about the angle and how different it is, so it's working on that level. I guess they're trying to capitalize on the buzz around LU's style.
1. The Hardys are in a pretty intense feud. After Jeff destroyed Matt in a Last Man Standing match, Matt used Jeff's alter ego Willow to play mind games with Jeff and debuted his own alter ego to show just how far off the deep end the feud has driven him. The Hardys have a lot of pull creatively, and their styles combined with Billy Corgan's mindset means we get this kind of angle. People are talking about the angle and how different it is, so it's working on that level. I guess they're trying to capitalize on the buzz around LU's style.
2. I think he could end up an important player post-brand split, but we're a long way from him being a franchise player like Reigns. He needs to show he's got a strong personality and can rise above being an exciting spot wrestler. Hopefully a big feud with someone who can bring him up to being seen as a top WWE star is coming for him. Competing with other former indie guys will likely keep him in the "strong worker" IC/U.S. Title level category.
3. That could work, but it's possible they have something Bigger plAnned fLOR next weekend.
4. He's been working the indies, including HOH. I think Samoa Joe, Aries, and Nakamura have taken over his role to a degree.
5. I expect Battleground and Summerslam will be for both brands. After that, we could see them have a Raw PPV one month and a Smackdown PPV the next month, with the "big 4" (Rumble, Summerslam, Survivor Series, WM) being open to both brands.
More wrestling tomorrow.
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