Interview with Cody, Smackdown main event, WWE hiring again, Steph to CHINA to promote WWE, Paige has successful surgery, TNA sets dates for 2017, World of Sport returning, NXT signings official, Corgan-TNA hearing delayed, Smackdown audience, NXT name suspended, FN company on financing TNA, ROH signing official, CMLL name going for TV Title at Final Battle, WOH bout released, Khali show draws big crowd, ROH to air in Europe, more on Asuka's big opponent, Itami update, more on Smackdown cameo names, 2nd-gen star getting another WWE tryout, where TE winner is, and Questions on a 2016 Attitude Era, why New Day's gotten over, Sheamus-Cesaro as Matt-MVP, having two Rumbles, and Billy regretting his investment

Cody (Rhodes) was interviewed about Stardust and more:
- There's a lot of hustle involved with being a success on the indies.

- I think Goldust ran into the same problem where more people knew his outlandish character than him as himself. It's a curse, but also a blessing when it gets over.

- I loved a lot of Cody's work as Cody. Dashing Cody and the facemask was a really great run. Heck, Team Rhodes Scholars was good, too.

- I'm glad Cody's getting to work a lot of dream opponents.

- We'll see if Cody gets to work more for TNA, or if anyone does at the rate things are going for the company.

- TNA has really been great at times these past few years.

- I think we'll see Cody come back to WWE someday, but that's years down the road if it does happen.

AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose in a non-title match will headline next week's Smackdown. I expect Dean wins to set up a rematch for the title (possibly on November 8 in Scotland).

WWE's seeking a German announcer to do voice-over work for PPVs on the Network. They're also seeking writer assistants. They regularly hire writer assistants; it doesn't mean anything's changing with Creative.

Stephanie McMahon will speak on WWE's brand in CHINA next month. That market will continue to grow in the years to grow, as will India.

Paige successfully underwent neck surgery. It could be some time before we see her in the ring again, if she ends up wrestling in WWE again at all.

- Paige made another tweet about the surgery later. Sounds like she had a pretty serious procedure.

TNA has reserved dates to tape Impact Wrestling and One Night Only PPVs from January 4 through January 10, 2017. Whether they'll actually be able to tape on those dates, and who will be in charge of the company if they do, remains to be seen, but they do have plans to continue operating. It's worth noting there hasn't been an announcement for a big UK tour in 2017, as there has usually been.

A two-hour World of Sport special with commentary by Jim Ross will be taped in the UK to air later this year. I haven't gotten the chance to see much of that promotion, but its style is certainly memorable.

WWE announced the signings of the wrestlers formerly known as Big Damo, Tommy End, and Crazy Mary Dobson. All three have impressive reputations coming into NXT. End looks really intense and Damo as a mobile mastadon sells him for me.

The Billy Corgan-TNA lawsuit hearing scheduled for this week has been pushed back to October 26.

- The hearing was delayed in order to give more time for the defendants to file any potential opposition to a temporary injunction. The temporary restraining order remains in effect.

- The lawsuit is sealed due to a request by Billy Corgan's attorney. There's material in the lawsuit that deals with TNA's financial situation and the situations of those involved in the lawsuit, which has been deemed unnecessary to be disclosed into public record. However, it's possible the court will unseal the records.

Smackdown drew 2.41 million viewers Tuesday night, roughly in line with last week. This show featured cult hero James Ellsworth challenging for the WWE Championship.

NXT talent Terrance Jean-Jacques has been suspended by WWE after being arrested on charges of assault and battery, kidnapping, witness intimidation, destruction of property and threatening to commit a crime. The assault and battery charge is in relation to his pregnant girlfriend, so WWE's domestic violence policy came into play.  As always, Jean-Jacques is innocent until proven guilty. That said, these are some very serious allegations and can  easily derail the 24-year-old's career.

Fight Network's parent company issued a statement on investing in TNA. It sounds like they're committed to keeping the promotion afloat for the time being, but I don't know how much money they're willing to put into that endeavor.

ROH has officially signed Punishment Martinez. He's been working with BJ Whitmer and Kevin Sullivan lately. I'm glad they've got a new monster.

Bobby Fish vs. CMLL's Dragon Lee for the ROH TV Championship is set for Final Battle. Could we see another non-ROH name hold an ROH championship? Fish could be headed to NJPW in 2017, so this one could be interesting.

ROH has released another Women of Honor bout for this week. I believe we'll see another WOH episode of ROH before too much longer as they look to further showcase the division.

Great Khali's wrestling promotion drew 35,000 (!) fans for a show featuring Rob Terry, Mike Knox, Chris Masters, Michael Tarver, Crimson, Hernandez, Apolo, Sam Shaw, Rebel and Santana Garrett. So, that could be another option for performers who aren't getting good pay in other countries. I'd be keeping an eye on this group if I was working with TNA.

ROH will soon begin airing in Portugal. That's a great milestone for them; they're starting to make more of a footprint for themselves internationally.

Mickie James being brought in to face Asuka at Takeover was something of a last-minute deal. WWE was interested in getting Toronto's Trish Stratus for the role, but Stratus is currently pregnant. Mickie is currently just coming in for Takeover, but it's possible it turns into something bigger. I totally want to see her do more in WWE while she's still able to bump. Heck, give Magnus a try, too. It's not like GFW's lighting the world on fire.

Hideo Itami will likely miss about two months due to his injury. Hopefully he'll be able to compete at NXT's Japanese show. If not, I hope he finally builds some big momentum in 2017 after stalling due to his injury.

Kenny, Mikey, and James Ellsworth are currently working on per-date deals, but at least Kenny and Mikey are expected to be used more. All three have been good additions to Smackdown.

Cedric Rougeau is expected to get another WWE tryout in 2017 due to his youth, size, and family connections. He's definitely an impressive potential recruit.

Tough Enough winner Josh Bredl has been dealing with the fallout from a severe concussion for months now, so he hasn't been doing much in NXT. That explains why he's been passed by other names from TE.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. It all depends on how that stuff would be used. If it was just done for shock value and to be edgy, it would only get them so far (beyond losing sponsors). It's worth noting how easy it is to get access to adult content now vs. in 1998 when people actually paid for issues of Playboy instead of hacking celebrity's private photos. However, if those things were used to add to a strong narrative (like, say, Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, etc.), it would have a chance of getting a good audience.

2. Some of it was getting more freedom with the act. They're having fun (Maggle) and getting to be exaggerated versions of themselves instead of heavily scripted characters.

3. I don't think they play off each other as well as Matt and MVP, but I see the similarities. I think the goal is the same.

4. I'm under the impression they'll just have one Rumble match, as was done in the last brand extension. The winner can pick which top title to challenge for.

5. I think it's more he's sorry he partnered with Dixie Carter and hasn't gotten the kind of traction he's wanted with the amount of money he's invested.

More wrestling tomorrow.