Raw's Ricky Roberts was John Skyler, who's appeared in a number of different capacities for WWE, Impact, and ROH in the past few years.
Rebecca Hardy and King Maxel were ringside at Raw, which was a little more than an hour from the Hardy Compound. We'll see if Matt wrestles at the venue again given his medical issues.
Roman Reigns talked before Summerslam:
- I don't see any reason to change his gear anytime soon. If he ever undergoes a big gimmick change, sure, but not before then.
- I really don't know how much having the title on the show really changes things. I can see the argument of it being a bigger deal for live events, though.
WWE 2K19 will have a mode showcasing Daniel Bryan. It's going to be awkward if he doesn't sign a new contract in a few weeks... the two sides are believed to be pretty close to working out terms. It seems to be an issue of how many dates he'll work.
Announced for ROH's August 25 TV taping:
- Cody and the Young Bucks vs. Silas Young and The Bouncers (Beer City Bruiser and Brian Milonas) for the ROH Six-Man Tag Team Championship
- Punishment Martinez vs. Aaron Solow for the ROH Television Championship
KUSHIDA has been signed for ROH's September 29 TV taping following Death Before Dishonor. He's always a great addition to things.
Sin Cara has an unknown injury and is likely facing surgery. It's a shame he has trouble getting momentum going.
Jeff Jarrett has sued Impact Wrestling over their use of GFW-related content, alleging he wasn't paid any royalties for the company airing GFW footage and seeking to have that footage returned to his ownership. He's also seeking for the company to drop the Global Wrestling Network name and logo due to its links to GFW. Jarrett is looking to own Global Force as an independent brand again (as GFE, Global Force Entertainment), so this is him getting all his assets back.
An Elias performance has been added to Summerslam. If I was in the WWE undercard, I'd be learning to play an instrument or something right now so I could get booked like he does. Between singing for a few minutes and taking a few big moves on TV and grinding on live events and dark matches, I know which I'd prefer.
Raw drew 2.83 million viewers Monday night, pretty close to last week's number. Theoretically they'll get a decent boost post-Summerslam.
Smackdown 1000 is advertising:
- The Undertaker appearing
- AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe for the WWE Championship
- Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz
- Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy
-- That show should definitely be treated as a PPV-level event for the brand. That card can definitely do it if those feuds aren't worn into the ground by then.
WWE has hired Impact's recent head coordinating producer and video editor, who spent four years in that role before joining NXT backstage. Also known as Paredyse, he was involved in all aspects of the look of the product. I don't think it's a stretch to speculate he's being trained to potentially do those duties on Raw and Smackdown Live someday.
Miz & Mrs has been picked up for 14 more episodes to air in 2019. I wouldn't necessarily give Miz the Cena treatment, but I think they can make much better use of his appeal outside of WWE.
Nia Jax is advertised for Raw's international dates beginning August 29, so she's seemingly expected back shortly.
- Notably, Matt Hardy is not advertised for these shows while Bray Wyatt is. After competing at a title match in his home state and not being set for Summerslam, he could start an exodus presently.
John Cena is returning to the ring at Raw's September 1 Chinese live event alongside Bobby Lashley and Finn Balor against Baron Corbin, Elias, and Jinder Mahal. Interesting that he's only in a six-man tag.
Lance Storm is at the WWE Performance Center as a guest trainer this week. Storm of course has his own training school in Canada.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. In some ways ROH is already a competitor, certainly at least for NXT, in terms of talent working there and live event attendance. NJPW is something of a "part-time" competitor in the U.S. at the moment, but a notable one. It's way too soon to call either of them a WCW-level competitor, though. Let's wait to see what average U.S. attendance looks like for all parties involved in the U.S. in 2019 before even having that conversation.
2. It's a training ground for pretty much every role Raw, Smackdown Live, etc. need, in front of and behind the camera.
3. Certainly an Owens cash-in is possible, and could be a viable direction if they play their cards right. I'd be shocked if he'd be champion by the end of Royal Rumble, though.
4. I can't argue with their pick as far as appeal inside and outside of wrestling. And thankfully Rock hasn't had the kind of scandals Hogan has had.
5. Jeff was heel in Impact, but I think this question is just about his WWE work. The only other name I can think to put in that category who has worked there for the same kind of tenure is Rey Mysterio. Both men have a lot of appeal to a big cross section of the audience.
More wrestling tomorrow.
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