WWE is making further financial cutbacks following less-than-expected profits at this point in the year. Part of this process is slowing down plans to do regular UK TV tapings. They've had a lot of expenses on big projects for the WWE Network that aren't paying off with increased subscriber numbers. It's time for WWE to start questioning the approach of providing so much content so cheaply, because their current approach is hurting their profits. Furthermore, while fans clamored for WWE to have a cruiserweight division and push certain big international/indie names, but they're not coming out in droves to support those efforts on TV or the Network. WWE needs to take a serious look at how that philosophy is playing out, too.
ITV is still planning on doing a weekly wrestling series in 2017, so the World of Sport project isn't totally dead yet. There hasn't been any sign of Anthem moving forward with them on anything.
LU Season 4 is continuing to be discussed for taping in a few months, but nothing has been locked down. There's concern of having funding to finance the tapings, which could mean a reduction in talent involved.
Brandi Rhodes asked for and received her GFW release. She's now getting bookings with ROH. She made the jump to be able to do a TV project; ROH was more willing to work with that commitment than GFW was. GFW wasn't really using her anyway, and now she can be on the same card as Cody.
GFW having poor ticket sales for their August 6 show was likely affected by an indie promotion running a show the same time in a town 20 minutes away. That's something to keep an eye on in the future.
Chris Jericho hasn't been announced for any further WWE dates, so his Smackdown appearance was just a one-time thing for now. Fozzy has tour dates from September through part of November, so he likely won't be back in a regular role until around Survivor Series, if not later.
Io Shirai is returning to Japan full-time, as it seems WWE has decided not to sign her after all. Her neck injuries could have played a role there. We'll see if the two sides end up working together sometime down the line, but for now, she's going to continue working as a regular in Japan.
Enzo Amore could be moving to NXT or 205 Live, possibly at least partially due to heat backstage on Raw. He's a great character, so I hope he's able to continue to contribute to the company without rubbing people the wrong way. He'd be a lot of fun on 205 Live, a show that could really use some personality.
A number of WWE UK names will be working either Takeover:Brooklyn or the following NXT taping. I'm glad they're getting some work while the brand itself is in a holding pattern.
Raw and Smackdown next week will be coming from the same venue. That doesn't happen often, but I'm glad they had the attendance to do the same building two nights in a row.
Kurt Angle's WWE Network collection has been detailed. So, if you've only seen his son compete, here's your chance to see some of his best work.
DJ Z has been cleared to return to the ring. I'm curious how he'll fit into the X-Division; it's changed since he was last involved with it. I expect he'll be at the upcoming tapings.
Seth Rollins talked about being on the cover of WWE 2K18 and more. Hot Topic is all over getting wrestling merchandise. Cool that Rollins got to have a shirt for his wrestling school without having to go through WWE.
NXT's Dakota Kai will be working PROGRESS' New York debut in a tag match. The agreement with that company is paying off win some ways. No update on PROGRESS and ICW on the WWE Network.
- Buddy Murphy is asking to compete on that show, too. He's been stuck on Florida live events for a long time. Ditto for his former partner Blake.
Steve Corino will not be returning to commentary in WWE. He's focusing full-time on coaching. I wouldn't complain about him replacing Percy Watson, but I'm guessing they're trying to groom Percy for a main roster position. Corino splitting time between Raw or Smackdown commentary in addition to coaching in NXT wouldn't be ideal for him to excel in either role.
More GLOW alumnae discussed the GLOW Netflix series. That series is getting some pretty good press, which hopefully translates to more people becoming interesting in women's wrestling.
Alesiter Black vs. Hideo Itami has been added to Takeover:Brooklyn III. That should really be good. Black has been tearing it up on NXT TV.
Jim Ross expects Ronda Rousey to work Wrestlemania at some point. There's speculation regarding MMA's Four Horsewomen competing with WWE's Four Horsewomen at some point based on the two sides interacting at the Mae Young Classic. WWE would love to put something like that together, I'm sure.
Alberto El Patron and Paige gave a joint interview on the radio, independent of WWE or GFW. GFW at least had no idea the appearance was going to happen until it was announced. That's a risky strategy.
- Some highlights from the interview:
-- Paige basically downplayed what happened in Orlando, saying they're laughing about it now and it was just an argument and sometimes they say mean things to each other.
-- Alberto says the sergeant in Orlando told them the incident wasn't anything, and said the Internet told a bunch of lies. Well, the Orlando police department said there was probable cause to charge Paige for battery. The Florida attorney general hasn't dismissed that yet.
-- Alberto further said the incident was just them being angry and saying things they don't really feel, and they have fights a lot because of their short tempers and passions, but they make up right afterward. Wow that's a great endorsement!
-- Alberto admitted to saying something mean, causing Paige to pour a drink on him. However, he told the San Antonio police he didn't want to do anything about it.
-- Alberto said his behavior was bad, but he wants to be a good role model for his kids and out in public.
-- Paige apologized to her fans, and both of them should act better in public and all that.
-- Paige blamed Alberto and Paige's families being upset on "Internet BS," where they heard the story first.
-- Both sides are waiting for the official report to come out. We'll see what the state attorney thinks about what happened, given the police's recommendations.
-- Alberto indicated he'll be back in GFW soon. GFW hasn't officially announced him returning.
-- Paige indicated she'll be back in WWE soon. That'll be up to WWE doctors. As she hasn't been charged with anything at this time, she's in the clear for now if WWE does think she's healthy enough to get back in the ring.
-- Alberto indicated an announcement of his GFW status will be coming soon.
-- Alberto and Paige indicated they want to work the relationship out.
-- Time will tell on all of the above.
WWE has released NXT's HoHo Lun. That's surprising considering his connections in China. I suppose they just didn't see potential in him as a wrestler. Hopefully some of their other Chinese prospects work out better.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. I think he could "rehabilitate" 205 Live into something more like NXT given enough time, although I don't know how much of an audience the show would have. I'm really starting to question the approach of changing WWE to be more like other wrestling companies. They've put a lot of money into signing a lot of talented wrestlers who aren't selling Network subscriptions or increasing ratings. While the matches are often fantastic, it doesn't look like just having a bunch of great wrestling is the right move to grow WWE business.
1. I think he could "rehabilitate" 205 Live into something more like NXT given enough time, although I don't know how much of an audience the show would have. I'm really starting to question the approach of changing WWE to be more like other wrestling companies. They've put a lot of money into signing a lot of talented wrestlers who aren't selling Network subscriptions or increasing ratings. While the matches are often fantastic, it doesn't look like just having a bunch of great wrestling is the right move to grow WWE business.
2. There's definitely a possibility of Corbin getting involved. I'm split on what they should do in that scenario, as they shouldn't throw away Jinder's title reign easily.
3.a. I mean, you can watch every Smackdown ever once they do get uploaded. It's not like they don't have plans to put those episodes up once USA lets them.
b. It was once in a lifetime when they first did it, then there was a rematch.
c. WWE's probably good from a legal standpoint. It's "sports entertainment!" They can get away with exaggerating and the like.
4. I loved that match. Both men were great.
5. That would actually be really funny if they pull it off. There's nothing to say Gable can't also have unknowingly been Angle's son all this time, too! Heck, just have him father everyone on the roster under 30! People could keep coming from backstage with DNA tests.
More wrestling tomorrow.
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