The Prime Time Players reunited to hang out with LL Cool J at an NFL game. I'd be fine with Titus managing a team of Darren and Apollo. Crews is ridiculously underutilized.
- Darren was backstage at Raw, but not used. I assume he'll be back on Main Event at some point.
The Young Bucks will defend the ROH Tag Team Championship against the Motor City Machine Guns at Death Before Dishonor. So, they're also working two matches on that show. They're over enough and work hard enough to earn that honor, so good for them.
- Marty Scurll vs. Chucky T has been added to the card as well.
WWE's Tribute to the Troops special is expected to be taped as part of the December 5 Smackdown taping in California. That's another cost-cutting move; it's usually a separate event at a military base.
WWE needs to look at some of their more major expenses and see which ones aren't worth the cost. It might be time to fold 205 Live and shift that roster to other shows.
Raw will run a live event in the UAE on December 6 before having two shows in the same Indian venue on December 7 and 8. I assume Jinder and the Singh brothers will be on that tour, too. WWE would be crazy not to use them there.
Primo Colon is back on the road, so I expect he and Epico will team together some more.
Taz is back in studio doing his radio show after his hand surgery. I'm glad he's able to get back to work; hopefully that's the last surgery he needs.
The Table For 3 episode with Ric Flair, Sting, and Ricky Steamboat has been pushed back again. That could be because they had the MYC special after Raw this week and they want to save it for later.
Jim Ross is doing an online book signing Thursday. That's a cool idea. I'm excited for that autobiography.
Big Show will be undergoing hip surgery later this month as a result of the Braun Strowman match:
- He has given so much of his body to the business.
- That was probably his last chance to do that kind of maneuver. I can't blame him for taking the chance!
- Strowman has a lot going for him. I hope he becomes as successful as Show, Henry, and Kane.
- Brock vs. Braun should be insane given what both men have going for them physically.
- Hey, if that's the last of Show, he ended on a hell of a note.
- I don't blame him for focusing on life after WWE. There shouldn't be any rush to go back to taking bumps; he's given 20 years to WWE.
ROH Final Battle 2017 will be on December 15 from Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. That could be a very big night for the company; they're on something of an upswing with Cody and the international names onboard.
WWE Clash of Champions will be on December 17 in Massachusetts. It hasn't been announced which brand will have that event.
Mick Foley had knee replacement surgery. I hope he feels better once he recovers.
Raw has announced live events on:
- December 26, 27, and 29 in New York
- December 28 in Connecticut
- December 30 in Ontario
Smackdown has announced live events on:
- December 27 in Michigan
- December 28 and 29 in Pnnsylvania
- December 30 in Florida
YouTube's Inanna Sarkis promoted the MYC finals. So, that's why she was in the WWEPC.
Rolling Stone talked to Sara Amato about WWE women's wrestling. Part of me wants to see a MYC show, but that would be another big and expensive endeavor. If WWE makes a lot of signings, they either need to make cuts of main roster talent and/or bump up the Network price. They can't keep spending the kind of money they're spending with profits dropping starkly from last year.
NBC Sports promoted WWE doing a Conor's Cure event in Pittsburgh.
Nikki Bella appeared before the Raw crowd to promote Dancing With The Stars. It's going to be tough to convince WWE fans to watch that instead of Raw, but hopefully some DWTS fans will become WWE fans due to Nikki's appearance.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. It's worth noting there's speculation WWE could get a deal with somewhere like Facebook or YouTube to replace their U.S. TV deal for Raw and Smackdown when it's time to get a new contract on that front. Currently the NBCU deal is THE largest money-maker for WWE and that's going to really shape how they do things.
1. It's worth noting there's speculation WWE could get a deal with somewhere like Facebook or YouTube to replace their U.S. TV deal for Raw and Smackdown when it's time to get a new contract on that front. Currently the NBCU deal is THE largest money-maker for WWE and that's going to really shape how they do things.
2. I don't think we'll see it. They basically paid her off and let her quietly walk off into the sunset. I'm not sure what she's doing now, but it's not related to that company.
3. I've liked the new on-screen direction, but I can see how it's not for everyone. It does seem like most fans have given up on the company; I don't know how much more life Anthem or a theoretical new owner can give it; I wouldn't blame anyone for looking for an exit strategy that would end the touring aspect of things so they can try to just make money on the archived video content.
4. Russo is one of the biggest boogeymen in wrestling. I think what happens is them setting a direction for a few months, then something pops up that changes things like talent coming and going or getting tapings in India that necessitates a new direction. Plus, once one regime gets pushed out and a new one takes over, there are going to be changes in which talents get pushed, the tone of the show, etc. I don't think the problem is "Russo-style booking" as much as all the backstage changes in the past few years and all the talent changeover.
5. Considering how long GFW has stayed around, I think he's done alright! He doesn't have a perfect batting record, but he's been essential at getting personnel and business deals for his projects. That's been important for them sticking around for so long. Some people don't like his style of booking, but that's true of any booker.
More wrestling tomorrow.
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