Podcast notes, top indie name injured, former WWE Champion back on the road, NXT tryout set, Total Bellas return date, new ROH digital series, Cage of Death notes, NXT UK talents signed to new deals, Ladder War at Final Battle, NXT UK Takeover sells out, Amazing Red on failed WWE tryout, top European name to NXT UK, WWE signing this weekend, Braun's MMC replacement, post-Raw dark match, and Questions on WWE PPV revenue post-Network, Sky having a WWE channel, why SDL got squashed, who isn't at TV tapings, why Bryan turned heel before Survivor Series, and Carmella being paired with Truth

Rey Mysterio is on Lilian Garcia's latest podcast.

Jeff Jarrett is on Lanny Poffo's latest podcast.

MJF has a fractured elbow, so he'll miss Cage of Death as well as MLW's next TV tapings. He's on a roll, so I hope he's able to bounce back come 2019.

Bray Wyatt was backstage at Raw after his surprise Starrcade return. He'd be a good replacement if Braun can't work TLC.

NXT will have a tryout in Florida the week of December 15. A new class of recruits will begin at the WWE Performance Center in January.

Total Bellas' fourth season will debut January 20.

ROH has debuted a new digital series from the team behind the NWA's "Ten Pounds of Gold."

CZW Cage of Death will stream live, but it is currently unknown where.

- CZW will be doing a Toys for Tots drive at the event, which is a pretty hilarious juxtaposition.

- Atsushi Onita and Matt Tremont vs. DJ Hyde and Masada has been announced for the show. Tremont was looking to leave CZW, but is returning for this event.

NXT UK talents are signing contracts for more exclusivity with the brand in return for an increase in pay. This has led to a number of them being pulled from independent bookings as WWE looks to make the project more of a regularly-running ordeal. The end goal for the project is likely akin to NXT "U.S." where it's self-sustaining and provides a full-time home for all its contracted talents.

- NXT UK names can still compete for a number of prominent promotions in the area as long as the matches aren't broadcast. Specifically, they can compete for PROGRESS, ICW, wXw, Fight Club Pro, Attack! Pro Wrestling, OTT Wrestling, and Futureshock.

Final Battle has added a Ladder War for the ROH Tag Team Championship. Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky will defend against The Briscoes and The Young Bucks. This could be the last ROH bout for the Bucks and Kazarian, as none of them have signed new deals as of this writing. It makes sense for them to complete their tenures in such spectacular fashion.

NXT UK Takeover: Blackpool has officially sold out. That's a mouthful, but good to see it's a success.

Amazing Red discussed a failed WWE tryout. Things would have gone very different for him if he went to WWE.

NXT UK has signed WALTER. He will be able to compete on his currently announced independent appearances, and it's possible he'll be able to do work outside NXT UK once he's officially signed. He wasn't able to work a final PWG appearance in December, however, due to WWE nixing the idea. WALTER has a big reputation and his been on WWE's radar for a while. I hope he can be a breakout star for them.

Bray Wyatt and Asuka will sign at Wintercon in New York this weekend.

Braun Strowman is being replaced by Curt Hawkins in the Mixed Match Challenge. Hawkins could end his losing streak and get the 30th spot in the Royal Rumble! Who says WWE never gives new names opportunities?

After Raw, the team of Ronda Rousey/Bayley/Sasha Banks/Ember Moon/Natalya defeated the team of Nia Jax/Tamina/Riott Squad when Ronda tapped Liv Morgan out.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1.a. Yes, WWE has combined PPV revenue with Network revenue on their financial releases, so only they know for sure. That said, there are still people buying PPVs the traditional way so content providers continue to offer them and WWE's willing to keep making money from them.

1.b. If it's something that makes sense for both sides, I could see them pursuing it BUT considering NXT UK didn't get on Sky, I don't know if it's a big option.

2. It's expected this is going to lead to Shane McMahon turning heel. Yes, an entire major PPV in 2018 was booked in part to set up an angle with a McMahon.

3. With a few exceptions, yes, since plans could always change and there might be extras needed to separate a big brawl or something. I want to say there are a few names at any given time they don't fly out (other than the notable part-timers and injured names), but in those cases, those names are so non-essential they're not even on the weekend live events.

4. Since they were already doing a surprise WWE Title change, they threw in the surprise heel turn, too, so people would be talking even more about the angle.

5. It's definitely a good use for her, and a pretty natural one given her pre-WWE background.

More wrestling tomorrow.