Raw name change, assorted WWE press, more on GFW cancellation, Alberto-GFW updates, WWE-GFW confrontation in Nashville, Hardys vs. Anthem continues, another Brock date, WWE exec leaves, Impact audience, Davey update, Destination-X press match, WWE survey about GFW/ROH/NJPW/LU wrestlers, Interview with HBK, more Southpaw footage, Lauper shouts out WWE, GFW Broken trademarks shot down, WWE Network shows in limbo, WWE PPV concept returning?, Raw live event notes, and Questions on Raw's timeslot, JoJo's WWE status, NHL playing WWE music, WWE cutting Cornette's Table for 3, and WWE keeping Paige

Elias Samson is now solely going by Elias. I like him transforming into more of a prophet. There's a natural association with Bray they're building.

Bo Dallas was on Chris Jericho's podcast to talk about conspiracy theories.

Alicia Fox did a signing before Raw's live event in New York, and Bayley was on a local radio station.

Ric Flair was at a wrestling night for the Miami Marlins Friday night.

GFW's August 6 live event had very slow ticket sales compared to the other shows set for that weekend. Hopefully the other shows do well enough.

Ed Nordholm and Alberto El Patron have been in regular discussion regarding his suspension. It looks as though he'll miss the live events, but could still make the TV tapings. It's going to be a big setback for both sides if he's not working the road to BFG.

Alberto El Patron was at a recent Combates America event, and has not resigned from his post as was indicated he would do. Another Combates event is the same night as Destination-X, which sets up an interesting scenario if Alberto is still suspended by then. I don't know if he'd ask for his release from GFW to do other endeavors, but the option would be there.

Braun Strowman and Karen Jarrett had some sort of confrontation in a bar after Raw in Tennessee, where WWE and GFW names were together following Jeff Hardy's concert. There have been numerous versions of their encounter making the rounds.

The Hardys are preparing for a lawsuit against Anthem. Their side has indicated they have recordings of important conversations between the two parties, which would obviously come out in court. I expect we're in for a pretty big showdown that could go on for a while. That will be costly for both sides, pulling resources away that could be used for improving GFW, etc.

Brock Lesnar will be working Raw on August 7. Summerslam will be an important show as far as his situation and the Universal Championship.

Mike Kanellis and Matt Hardy buried GFW for their past pay issues. Anthem has a LOT of work to do to change the perception of the brand.

WWE's executive VP and head of international has left the company after 13 months to pursue other opportunities. The executive VP of global sales & partnerships will be taking over his duties in addition to keeping his own. The departed VP had been with WWE in some capacity for more than nine years. We'll see if that signals any changes in policy.

Thursday's Impact Wrestling dropped to 286,000 viewers, ending a string of well performing shows. Just two weeks ago after Slammiversary and Albero's detainment, they had 374,000 viewers. Destination-X will be an important show, and close to live, so hopefully they can get another solid audience that night.

Davey Richards' GFW release didn't come with a no-compete clause, so he can work anywhere he wants now. I wouldn't expect that to mean him going to WWE or anything, as he's planning on going to medical school. I hope he does great things.

Destination-X will begin with a match featuring managers from an Orlando radio station. Hey, if that gets people in the doors at the Impact Zone, I can live with it. Getting local positive press and goodwill for GFW is a good move.

WWE put out a survey asking for fans' favorite non-WWE wrestlers, specifically naming quite a few from GFW, NJPW, ROH, and LU. This would help WWE determine whom to pursue when they're contractually available. That's pretty wild. I'm sure we'll some of those names in WWE and NXT in time.

Shawn Michaels discussed going on the road with NXT live events. I'm very glad he's helping out in that capacity.

WWE taped further Southpaw Regional Wrestling footage at Smackdown. I can't wait! That was amazing.

Cyndi Lauper dedicated a song at a recent concert to those she worked with in WWF to film the music video. She absolutely belongs in the WWE Hall of Fame. She's past due, honestly, given some of the other celebrities who have gotten in for less of an association with wrestling.

GFW's attempts to trademark "Broken" related names have been disputed for the following reasons:
- "Broken Matt" has likely confusion with Matt Hardy's own "Broken Matt Hardy" trademark, which was filed first. GFW would have to show there is no potential conflict between the two, which would seem an unlikely goal. Furthermore, if GFW is intending to use "Broken Matt" to identify a living person, they would need that person's consent.

- "Brother Nero" was similarly rejected on grounds of needing the permission of the living person indicated by the trademark. GFW would have a hard time proving it's meant to represent anyone other than Jeff Hardy, who is unlikely to give consent for GFW to own the trademark.

- "Broken Brilliance" was refused because GFW must specify whether the term has significance in professional wrestling or whether it's just a "term of art" in the wrestling history. GFW MIGHT be able to succeed on this one, but I don't know what good it would be if they don't own the others.

- "Vanguard1" was rejected for likely confusion with a non-wrestling trademark.

- All four trademarks were additionally refused because GFW's identifications were considered to be too broad.

-- I assume the door would now be open for the Hardys to try to get those same trademarks, but I wouldn't think they'd be able to perform their GFW characters given the reported details of their contracts there.

Edge & Christian's WWE Network's show isn't expected to get a second season due to WWE's financial cutbacks. The duo also indicated they have work conflicts that could potentially prevent them from doing the show. So, it's on the shelf for now. WWE Network has fallen short of the goals the company has for subscriber numbers, so I can see why they're reluctant to invest more money in original content.

- R-Truth's WWE Network game show has also been postponed indefinitely due to cutbacks.

WWE has applied to trademark Taboo Tuesday. That would seem to indicate plans to bring back the concept for a future episode of Smackdown. That could be a pretty fun night given the unpredictability of fan voting at times.

The Club worked as heels on a Raw live event Friday night, with Titus O'Neil working as a face. I wouldn't read much of anything into that as far as plans go. It certainly looks like Anderson and Gallows are going to be more like faces going forward.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. It will depend on what NBCU wanted. I would have thought they'd go back to the traditional timeslot of 9-11 p.m. but they have gotten people used to watching at 8:00, so that might be the route to go. Either way, it doesn't like there are plans to go back to being two hours anytime soon.

Nothing to add to 2.

3. She's more or less being replaced by Renee Young for now. Whether that's JoJo's decision or WWE's is unknown.

4. Since they play the songs in the arena as opposed to over the air, they're apparently legally in the clear.

5. WWE cut the show back to tell the story they wanted to tell. I can sympathize with them not wanting the show to turn into the 5,734th "Jim Cornette hates Vince Russo" rant. I wouldn't expect extended cuts of things that have already aired on the Network.

6. WWE would like her to be around in a positive light to promote the Rock movie. If she can escape being charged and convicted of anything, it's possible we do see her in the ring again. She was a pretty big deal when she was active.

More wrestling tomorrow.