Backstage TNA updates, possible TNA returns, where's Drew?, TNA dates official, a long night in the Alamodome, another ACH note, ROH names re-sign, ROH names expected to head to WWE, TNA TV home dropped and picked up, more Goldberg set, women's tournament update, X-Division name leaves, assorted WWE press, Smackdown audience, new sounds for Seth, more NJPW notes, TNA deals expire, new Knockout?, HHH welcomes new acquisition, and Questions on Anthem buying TNA, Bring It To The Table, and Steph's heel work

Dixie Carter was not at the January 5 episode of Impact Wrestling. She is all but "out of the picture," both behind-the-scenes and as a character. As was said in the recent press release, she'll be working at planning things on Anthem's end but not directly involved with how things go as far as creative, hiring, etc.

John "Big" Gaburick is heading production for TNA. Aroluxe is still involved in that end of the company as well.

Any major behind-the-scenes TNA changes will likely wait until after this set of tapings is completed, as those are the focal point right now. That makes a lot of sense. Things could be pretty hectic otherwise.

Angelina Love is expected to return to TNA alongside Davey Richards. I think this is a goodbye run in the company for both of them, as Davey intends to retire this year. 

Dutch Mantel/Zeb Colter is rumored to be in talks to return to TNA, alongside Jeff Jarrett. Both have helped steer things there in the past. It's worth looking at using them. I'd personally like to see Mike Tenay and Don West return, but I don't have high expectations for it.

Drew Galloway will miss some of this week's TNA tapings, as he had already been booked for some shows in Europe. His contract expires next month, so he could just finish up a little business and be out the door.

TNA will tape more content between March 2 and March 9 in Orlando. I would think the plan would be to have everything up to Slammiversary taped by the end of that stretch of dates.

Royal Rumble is expected to go past four hours. I love the Rumble match, so I might be OK with that.

ACH is expected to become a regular for EVOLVE, which could definitely put him on WWE's radar for 205 Live.

Christopher Daniels, Bobby Fish, and Hangman Page have all signed new contracts with ROH. Fish had an offer from WWE. I think all three can be important for the company going forward in different capacities. Daniels can transition to

Kyle O'Reilly and Raymond Rowe are expected to leave ROH for WWE, with Hanson also in the mix to jump ship. That would be bad timing for Kyle after they've done so much to establish him as their next top player. But if WWE's calling and he can make a bigger paycheck there five years from now, I don't blame him for changing course. War Machine definitely fit the WWE mold, which is why they can easily get lost in the shuffle there. They've got their work cut out for them if they do make the move.

PopTV will be dropped from Verizon FiOS on January 15, so that's one fewer place to see TNA on TV. However, PopTV will begin being live-streamed on Hulu shortly. Hopefully things work out in TNA's favor with that change as they begin their new direction.

Goldberg is set for Fast Lane as well as WM33, in addition to select TV tapings through that season. Whether he'll do further PPVs after WM33 is undecided at this time. If he's physically able and they're willing to pay big for him, we could see more Goldberg in 2017 (and maybe beyond?).

WWE's women's tournament is tentatively scheduled for this summer, as the UK tournament has more or less replaced it for Q1 2017.

Mandrews has left TNA following his contract expiring. He has been announced as part of WWE's UK tournament. So, he's seemingly gambling for a shot at joining either the proposed WWE UK brand, NXT, or 205 Live. I'm not sure how much that says about the state of TNA as much as it says WWE is really making moves.

Fox Sports covered Daniel Bryan's recent remarks about part-timers. It's a delicate balancing act, since those part-timers often bring boosts in business when they do appear. I'm glad Bryan gave voice to that perspective, too.

WWE developmental name Victoria Gonzalez was profiled. It's definitely good she got a college degree before trying the wrestling thing. It's also good she got outside trainers to help her instead of just her dad.

A Smackdown live event got press. Not a lot of press, but hopefully it helps attendance for the show.

Smackdown had 2.60 million viewers Tuesday night, down from the big Cena return show. It's tough to get consistently higher viewership, as some people are determined to remain occasional viewers.

Seth Rollins is about to get a new theme song. These millennials and their angsty music.

Finlay also attended the January 5 NJPW show. Steve Corino was once more on commentary, but he's still expected to head to WWE once this trip in Japan ends.

NJPW's July shows in California might not actually be part of the G1 Climax tournament. Rather, they're being billed as specials.

Mike Bennett and Maria are no longer under TNA contract. However, they are scheduled for the entirety of this week's TV tapings. It's entirely possible they end up remaining regulars.

Brooke Tessmacher could end up returning to TNA, which is a bit surprising. She certainly improved during her tenure, so she'd be good to have on hand.

Alexis Neveah could end up becoming a regular for TNA. The company could definitely use some fresh Knockouts.

Triple H met with the returning Kassius Ohno. Ohno/Hero has been praised heavily for his work lately, making himself valuable for the NXT brand.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. It represents a chance of a new beginning for the company. They've got a lot of work ahead of them, but this is the big shakeup and infusion of funds they've needed for years.

Nothing to add to 2.

3. I like the idea of WWE personalities/wrestling experts with actual experience in the business responding to fan concerns. It's a nice change of pace.

4. I'm sure it's some of both. Ultimately I don't see reason to put so much heat/focus on her if there's never going to be a payoff where an actual wrestler gets put over, but if they are setting up someone dethroning her, it's worth giving a shot.

Nothing to add to 5.

More wrestling tomorrow.