Interviews with Scurll/Angle, GBOF Kickoff match, Asuka taking a break?, Owens DVD a hot seller, GFW injury, GFW name retiring, more GFW via issues, top NJPW name at WWE TV, Lashley-GFW update, GFW guests on Impact, Smackdown dark matches, and Questions on Bryan having one last match, a failed MITB cash-in, visiting at WWE, Balor's place on the card, the NBA MizTV segment, and the biggest factor in ratings decline

Marty Scurll covered a lot of topics with Sam Roberts. He's been able to carve a niche for himself he wouldn't have gotten the chance to make in WWE among so many other incoming talents. Good for him.

Kurt Angle discussed his in-ring future or lack thereof:
- I fully expect him to have at least one big match for WWE. He might not do any more moonsaults from the top of of a cage, but I think he'll end up working WM34 at least. Of course, HHH tops the list of potential opponents.

- No need for him to have a title run or anything. There've been enough part-timer reigns in the past few years.

Neville vs. Akira Tozawa will be the Kickoff match Sunday. I can't say I blame them for putting the 205 Live match there. It hasn't had nearly the TV push as the other matches on the card.

NXT is running an angle where Asuka is basically taking a break until she has a worthy opponent. I wouldn't mind her vacating the title to head to the main roster, with the Mae Young Classic winner being the new champion to play off the CWC ending. The MYC winner vs. Asuka could also work, but the timing could be tricky. Survivor Series weekend feels like a long way off.

Kevin Owens' DVD is already selling in large quantities, to the point of selling out on Amazon and elsewhere. That's really good news for him going forward.

LAX's Diamante could be facing knee surgery after being injured at Slammiversary. She's been gutting through the ongoing TV tapings. Thankfully LAX has plenty of other people to run interference.

In a move that will be announced on Impact soon, Gail Kim is planning on retiring at the end of the year due to back issues. She's definitely given a lot of her body to the business and has earned the right to walk away. 

Rockstar Spud will be missing time at GFW due to visa issues. It's a time-consuming process, especially when you don't have the staff WWE has.

NJPW's world champion Kazuchika Okada was backstage at Raw and Smackdown after the big U.S. events. He's visited at top WWE events in the past. He's considered one of the best wrestlers in the world right now; I'm sure WWE would love to have him if he was interested. Maybe later in his career after he's done all he feels he can do in Japan? It will be interesting to see if Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks are able to get a big WWE offer like AJ, Nakamura, Gallows, and Anderson did.

Lashley is considering focusing more on his MMA endeavors going forward. He's been one of the best parts of GFW these past few years, but I can see why his team would want him to make fighting his priority.

International names brought in for Slammiversary are also working this week's TV tapings.

Charlotte beat Natalya before Smackdown. I'm sure that one was good.

John Cena teamed with Shinsuke Nakamura to beat Rusev and Baron Corbin after Smackdown. That's quite the interesting face pairing!

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't get it all out of his system, especially if he felt like he could continue to perform at a high level afterward. If anything, it might have just encouraged him!

2. It would all come down to the right angle. Like if Ellsworth's actions inadvertently cost Carmella the match. It's a case-by-case thing.

3. It's best if they know ahead, since they have a show to run at all.

4. People need to get over the "someone not being pushed means Vince is BURYING them" bullshit. It's just that other people are getting the spotlight right now. They can't feature everyone in top matches at once.

5. It's possible, but it's not like they advertised he was going to be there or anything.

6. Glad he finally addressed this. It's asinine to blame the ratings decline on Vince when it has more to do with people not watching programs like they used to.

More wrestling tomorrow.