Ryder hurt, Lilian note, more Smackdown visitors, Naomi note, where Corbin was this week, Tajiri's future, WWE/Tribute press, AJ taking a break from the ring, who produces 205 Live, Kickoff guest panelist set, big moment for POC in WWE, Jarrett in talks to return to TNA?, Slammys update, big Bucks profile, Smackdown audience, TNA's final shows on Challenge set, and Questions on booking AJ vs. Taker, Ellsworth beating AJ, Eva Marie's future, NXT being a success, and Y2J vs. Owens

Zack Ryder injured his knee during Smackdown, and was on crutches backstage. Hopefully he doesn't have to miss much ring time. He was about set for his biggest role in some time.

Lilian Garcia working Tribute to the Troops was a special occasion. There's no word on her coming back for more than that special appearance.

Sgt. Slaughter and Nikolai Volkoff were at Smackdown, as well. I wouldn't have minded Slaughter, Steamboat, and Volkoff getting a little screen time on that episode.

- Naomi was backstage, too. She's still rehabbing an injury.

Baron Corbin and Corey Graves were at the Revolver Music Awards in New York City Tuesday night. Corbin was named the most metal athlete of the year.

Tajiri will be part of 205 Live, as expected. That's the right move. He'll be a valuable experienced name on the brand.

WWE visited a local middle school for an anti-bullying rally before Smackdown.

An Australian who tried out for WWE recently was profiled. WWE continues to expand internationally, so I expect them to pick up more names from outside the U.S. as time goes on.

AJ Styles has been pulled from live events until the December 26 show in Madison Square Garden. WWE is keeping him out of the ring while he recovers from an ankle injury. I hope he gets back to form for WM33 season, as he could be in for a pretty good run.

Vince McMahon and Kevin Dunn are producing 205 Live, with Vince being hands-on with the cruiserweights. I have no real complaints with how things have been so far. The show does feel different enough from Raw and Smackdown to stand out.

Radio host Sam Roberts will be part of Roadblock Kickoff. I like WWE bringing in outside voices to give us something different.

Big Show and Bayley promoted Tribute to the Troops. I wouldn't be surprised if Show gets a Legends deal or something as an ambassador after his in-ring days are up.

Big E tweeted regarding New Day, Sasha Banks, and Rich Swann all holding championships. That's a big milestone for all of them and for people of color in general.

- Unsurprisingly, there were those who took issue with the hashtag #BlackExcellence. Kofi Kingston responded to this criticism; I think he handled it well.

Jeff Jarrett has had meetings with Anthem Sports, the new majority owners of TNA, regarding how the company has been run at different times while he was at the helm. While it is possible he will end up returning to TNA, there has been no agreement for him to do so at this time. Jarrett could return in a number of roles, either as a performer, a member of management, or part of the creative team.

- Regardless of what happens between Jarrett and TNA, he is expected to continue GFW. He has had a number of meetings to try to get that project on TV.

There are currently no plans for a Slammy Awards ceremony in 2016. I can't say I'm that disappointed, but I am a little surprised they won't at least do something like that on the WWE Network or the website.

The Young Bucks talked about the big impact they've had on wrestling:
- They make an interesting duo. They draw attention like few others.

- The Bucks are wise to have made friends with wrestling journalists. That's part of the work in 2016: getting praise from influential voices.

- They walk that line between trying way too hard and being extremely dedicated to their craft.

- Fans like to be in on the "ironic" "meta" gimmick and all.

- Wrestlers being able to succeed outside of WWE is good for the business.

- I'm glad Cabana's getting credit for his hustle.

- OH MY GOD THERE'S ANOTHER BUCK!?

- Amazing their parents let them go that route. Obviously it paid off for them, but how many people have tried that and failed?

- They've made a niche for themselves as the team people hate or pretend to hate but love or whatever.

- It's worth noting Vince Russo saw them as hard to work with. It's not just "they don't have any ideas for the Bucks." It was "Russo doesn't think they respect the business and they're just spot monkeys." He had a point.

- DAMN. That Popeye's biscuit story is ROUGH.

- Gee, you think Meltzer's cozy relationship with certain highly-regarded wrestlers might color his coverage?

- I definitely see them as a circus act, but they make the most of that act!

- The Bucks definitely know how to work people into spending money. More power to them!

- I respect the Bucks' work ethic. I can't fault them for making it their own way.

- Well, the fans who know how the Bucks are are the people who will go to ProWrestlingTees.com.

- Everyone wants to be the ascended fan like the Bucks are.

- The Bucks effectively got a lot of companies feuding to give them more money. And I'm sure their journalist buddies happy to report everything that was happening to fuel that fire

- Oh yeah, the Bucks and their reporter buddies stoke the "are they going to WWE or somewhere else" thing a lot.

- I can only imagine the Bucks being in WWE with the other Clubbers. Maybe Anderson and Gallows would be less stuck in limbo?

- A lot of their moves are just incredible!

- I do wonder what their next evolution is.

Smackdown this week drew 2.36 million viewers. They're setting the December 27 show up to be big, so we'll see if that pays off.

TNA has aired its last original show on Challenge in the UK. The channel isn't showing Total Nonstop Deletion. TNA will have a Best of 2016 special and a Hardys in 2016 special on the channel for future episodes. I assume those two episodes will come to the U.S. for the next two weeks. These is no word on TNA having a TV home in the UK for 2017.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. How about AJ kicks out of at least one Tombstone and wins after a low blow and Styles Clash? Taker can attack him after the match or something to get his heat back. He'll be fine. They need to focus on AJ being a credible top name going forward, as Taker's not going to be around for much longer and Cena's becoming something of a part-timer now as well.

2. As was alluded to, it's not like James has beaten AJ clean or anything. They've been careful with how they've booked their matches. Hopefully AJ will get James off his back and become a bigger deal for Mania season, though.

3. There hasn't really been any word of her getting back on WWE TV anytime soon, but she hasn't been released or anything.

4. NXT isn't exclusively a developmental promotion anymore, although it does prepare some of the outside-WWE names for what their style is like for when they do get called up. I compare WWE using indie stars to the NBA or NFL using people who played those sports in college. Those talents already have a lot of skills; it's just a matter of those skills being molded into what is needed in a different environment. As for their home-grown stars, it takes a lot of time to get at the level of some of the people who've come in with years of experience.

5. I definitely think Owens/Y2J is likely for the Rumble. I assume Jericho will be going back to music-related work before too much longer, and that would be an opportune time to cap off his latest run if he's not working through WM33.

More wrestling tomorrow.