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Friday, August 25, 2017

Brooklyn attendance notes, more on Corbin's cash-in, CMLL to iPPV, LU gets big international TV deal, GFW Network launches, Low Ki-GFW updates, more on MYC special, possible New Day plans, more on Punk lawsuit, Interviews with Ziggler/Natalya, new WWE merch, new international WWE TV deal, GFW names working Triplemania, GFW running a tighter ship, Dinero-GFW update, Prichard's GFW status, Cornette on GFW return, more MYC commentary, more Hardys backstage, Taz surgery successful, catching up with Kozlov, ROH injury angle, Addiction vs. ROH update, big move for NXT, and Questions on signing MYC names, blame for WWE Creative, Cass' injury, taking Asuka's title, and backstage WWE guests

Summerslam was a legitimate sellout.  All four Barclays shows drew more than 10,000 fans in a 13,000-seat arena. That's pretty impressive.

Baron Corbin's failed MITB cash-in was something of a last-minute decision, as in it's not believed it was planned out a week or more ahead. There are reports he has heat in the sense other wrestlers don't think he should be getting the kind of push he's getting, with even Cena the subject of a story of telling Vince Corbin doesn't have "it." It's a shame they're throwing him under a bus; they effectively threw away an opportunity to make a new main eventer (for the time being, at least).

CMLL is looking to have its World Gran Prix and Anniversary shows on iPPV. That could be good for them.

LU got a TV deal in India. Their setup being more like a traditional TV show with seasons lends itself well for being shipped to other markets that can start with the first season's first episode and go on from there. That's a lot of content right out of the gate, even if they finish at three seasons.

GFW has announced a streaming service, The Global Wrestling Network. Currently only Impact content is featured in the endeavor, but the speculation is they'll branch out to include footage from partner promotions.

Low Ki had only been signed to a six-month deal with GFW, so they weren't counting on him as a long-term prospect. With his booking on the road to Bound For Glory not being what he wanted, the two sides parted ways.

- The story of the departure being financial in nature has been shot down by multiple outlets. That sounds like a cover story. He is reportedly still under contract through October, as the company has not granted him his release.

The live MYC special is expected to have a number of matches featuring talents who didn't make it to the finals. WWE is taking great expense to fly a lot of talents in for the show.

WWE is considering having New Day have the most tag title reigns in WWE history, which explains the quick turn-around for their most recent run with the title. I hope they don't "force" the reigns just to have another big milestone for the group, but it makes sense to position them as an important faction.

The C.M. Punk/Colt Cabana-Dr. Amann lawsuit has escalated, as Punk's side is requesting subpoenas of emails of important WWE executives regarding his diagnoses from Amann, as part of the allegation that Amann put the interests of WWE above the interests of talents.

Baron Corbin's new entrance music has been released on music streaming services and YouTube. So much for that new music coinciding with a more prominent position in WWE.

Dolph Ziggler talked about a number of topics:
- He was a LOT more interesting with AJ, Vickie, and Big E. They helped him make it as a main eventer, and his tank is not nearly as full by himself.

- It looks like he's starting to think of a life after WWE. It's clear he's hit a wall there, so it's probably good to consider other options.

- I don't know what they could really do to "repackage" a guy we've already seen do so much. He'll probably the same old Dolph no matter what they do with him, which is the problem.

Chalkline has created a WWE ice cream bars jacket. That's amazing.

WWE has signed a multi-year deal to air Raw and Smackdown in the Caribbean on TV and on-demand. Sadly, I don't think Carlito is part of the deal.

WWE now has "8-bit" style T-shirts of legendary wrestlers. That's pretty cool.

Lashley, Moose, Johnny Impact, Jeff Jarrett, & Rosemary are all advertised for Saturday's AAA Triplemania, so GFW could tape some footage there for use on future episodes of Impact.

GFW has limited the number of talents brought in for TV tapings, hence Homicide not being brought in for the most recent set. He is still part of the company and LAX.

D'Angelo Dinero leaving GFW was a financial decision. The two sides could come to terms down the line, but he's gone for now.

Bruce Prichard could return to GFW TV after BFG. Good to have a backup plan in case Cornette "pulls a Cornette" and they have to change plans.

Jim Cornette further discussed returning to GFW on his podcast. I am glad he was able to appear in WWE and GFW without incident (so far).

Jim Ross and Lita did voiceovers for MYC matches as plans changed on how those matches would be presented. I'm curious what that will mean going forward.

Reby Hardy and King Maxel were backstage at Summerslam and Raw.

Natalya gave an interview after winning at Summerslam. I hope she can come out of the shadow of her relatives - she's had quite a run independent of the other Harts and is good enough to not just be known as part of that family.

Taz's hand surgery was more intensive than initially expected. He will need to miss a few episodes of his radio show due to being understandably unable to drive to the studio.

WWE promoted Vladimir Kozlov getting a role in an action movie. Glad he's doing well.

Dalton Castle will not make this weekend's ROH TV tapings due to "an attack by Cody and Bullet Club injuring him." I imagine we're in for Cody vs. Dalton at DBD. That works for me. I'm glad to see Dalton getting a push.

The Addiction have launched their own YouTube channel to have uncensored versions of their ROH promos and more. It's weird to see two dyed-in-the-wool ROH guys doing an anti-ROH angle, but fans turned on them for the "heels" so that's where we are!

Cody promoted ROH's TV taping in Atlanta at a Braves game. Glad to see him getting that mainstream buzz.

In a big NXT spoiler acknowledged by WWE.com, Asuka has relinquished the NXT Women's Championship as "part of negotiations with Raw and Smackdown." It's possible this would happened regardless of her injury, as it allows her to move on while remaining undefeated. I'm not sure what this will mean for the next title holder, but they've got the perfect opportunity to declare a new champion in Las Vegas.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. I wholly expect it. It will just be a matter of which ones and how many. Every talent there just became more valuable and prominent due to being booked in such a tournament.

2. I wouldn't think so. As was said, the buck stops with Vince. I still say a lot of the problem is having to book so many characters on so many hours of TV. That's a near-impossible task to juggle.

3. Enzo was going to have a ton of heat regardless, but there hasn't been anything to suggest he has any for the freak accident.

4. Since she'll theoretically be back for Takeover in November, they shouldn't have to change plans too much on that front.

5. That would be hilarious, though. Any guests backstage need to have passes/management approval.

More wrestling tomorrow.

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