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Friday, April 19, 2019

Another Shakeup move coming, why NXT UK names didn't move, post-SAnitY update, more on lucha collaboration, top WOH name taking time off, Lucha Bro has visa issue, Rocky Johnson book coming, new WotW names, more on Free Agentz/ROH, more on ROH action figure deal, Impact interested in lucha star, Taker signs new deal, Ronda-WWE update, more on Boss 'n' Hug split, Harper contract update, Sheamus injury update, Ricochet GoFundMe update, NXT name change, FWMF director's cut released, WM2 ring announcer passes, Jarrett-Anthem talks continue, AEW hires Impact producer, Impact backstage update, Interviews with Gail/Becky/McIntyre, Impact name turns down bookings, new WWE Pop figures, WWE targeting counterfeit goods, SCU at HOH, new Hidden Gem, Dark Side of the Ring rating, Road Dogg-WWE update, WWE Network special lineup, Goldust appearance set, NXT names set for EVOLVE, NXT live event notes, and Questions on Brock walking out, a FWMF sequel, an ECW cameo, where an ECW star went, and Hogan's gear colors

Samoa Joe and the U.S. Championship will be moved to Raw in order for Joe to feud with Braun Strowman. This was set to happen Monday, but Joe's illness prevented it. I'm curious how they'll explain the late change.

NXT UK's Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate are staying on that brand in order to keep establishing it. There was speculation they would be moved. As always, I contend the point of the NXT brands is to build stars for Raw and Smackdown Live, and those two are ready to contribute on a bigger stage. If there's concern about making NXT UK stick, move some underutilized Raw and Smackdown Live names there.

Alexander Wolfe is expected to be drafted to NXT or NXT UK. There's no indication he's leaving WWE.

Mexico's TV Azteca is launching a ten-week series featuring talents from Impact, AAA, MLW, Arolucha, and local promotion Elite in tournaments. The winners will be champions in all of those promotions and can defend their titles in all of them. It begins taping May 4. That's an interesting idea; I'm curious what it leads to. This also means Arolucha is still alive in some form.

Mayu Iwatani is taking time off due to knee issues. It's possible that's part of why she lost the WOH Championship, although obviously ROH wanted to do the Allure angle, as well.

Rey Fenix recently had a visa issue, but it's expected to be cleared up soon. He's really in demand right now.

Rocky Johnson is the subject of an upcoming biography, which could be turned into a movie.

The ROH/NJPW War of the Worlds tour has added EVIL, SANADA, and Hikuleo.

ROH currently has no plans to use nZo and CazXL again, as the original angle ended up being a lot more involved than the original plan of a quick altercation between nZo and Mark Briscoe with nZo being taken out by security. The angle was received negatively internally and externally.

ROH's action figure deal is expected to include most of the current roster. That's good to see.

Impact is interested in using Flamita again after United We Stand. That could really benefit both sides.

The Undertaker has signed a new deal with WWE. It's unknown what exactly it entails beyond keeping him from making additional outside appearances.

Ronda Rousey is expected to return to the ring after giving birth, but it would likely be on a reduced schedule. Her WWE contract runs through WrestleMania 37.

Bayley's move to Smackdown Live as a singles wrestler was planned before the tag team title loss. The women's tag team division clearly isn't a huge priority at the moment.

Sasha Banks asked for her release after learning she was losing the women's tag team championship at WrestleMania. She has been given time off to reconsider, and it's hoped she'll be back for Money in the Bank. She can be a top player again if they want her to be.

Harper's WWE contract expires near the end of the year. So, if he doesn't get his requested release, he'll still be free for 2020.

Sheamus is missing time due to a concussion. Obviously WWE doesn't want anyone rushing back from one of those.

Ricochet's GoFundMe has been assisted by Natalya, Jessamyn Duke, and Trevor Lee. Great to see.

Punishment Martinez has been renamed Damian Priest. That's actually a pretty kickass name, but of course he was already known as Punishment.

"Fighting With My Family"'s director cut is available on Blu-Ray.

WrestleMania 2 ring announcer Chet Coppock passed away at 70 after a recent car accident. He spoke to a lot of wrestlers on his shows over the years. PWInsider.com ran down his career.

- WWE.com noted his passing.

Jeff Jarrett and Anthem have been told to continue working toward a settlement regarding GFW content and the rights to Jarrett's likeness. That would be ideal.

AEW has hired TV producer Keith Mitchell full-time to oversee that responsibility there. He had been working in Impact. Impact and ROH are going to have tough time keeping people on both sides of the camera with AEW picking up steam.

Josh Mathews is doing a lot of Impact's backstage work, as he's taken over a lot of Sonjay Dutt's duties.

KM has turned down Impact bookings in order to focus on WrestlePro. Wow. It's pretty bad when you're offering someone that level of exposure and they turn it down. We'll see if he pops back up.

Gail Kim spoke about WWE vs. Impact, and more. I'd love to see her in the WWE Hall of Fame, but it's clear she's not a fan of them!

WWE's Pop! figures will soon include new designs for Becky Lynch, Trish Stratus, Elias, Bret Hart, and The Undertaker.

Becky Lynch spoke to People.com about beating depression on the way to WWE and more. I'm glad she can be such a role model.

WWE will now be able to confiscate counterfeit goods sold within a three-mile radius of their events. That's pretty powerful!

Christopher Daniels and Kazarian have been announced for HOH's June 1 event, where they'll face the Rock 'N' Roll Express. So, even after Double or Nothing, they'll be able to take outside dates.

WWE Network's latest Hidden Gem is from Leroy McGuirk's Championship Wrestling, an early precursor to Mid-South Wrestling. The August 12, 1978 episode is one of the only surviving editions in the library.

"Dark Side of the Ring" drew 181,000 viewers for the Montreal Screwjob episode. So, yes, there's still an audience that wants to hear about that story.

Road Dogg is taking time off from WWE as both parties determine his future. He is still considered part of the company. Ryan Ward took over his responsibilities this week.

The Shield's Last Stand on WWE Network will feature The Shield vs. Drew McIntyre, Baron Corbin, and Bobby Lashley as well as Finn Balor defending the Intercontinental Championship against Elias in a match that ensures that championship is remaining on Smackdown Live.

Drew McIntyre promoted an upcoming live event. Pretty good story of him coming back to the company, and seeing talent get frustrated.

Goldust is appearing at MCW's April 27 event. He's expected to leave WWE soon.

EVOLVE has announced NXT's Babatunde and Adrian Jaoude will be part of events next month.

At NXT's Florida event on April 18:
- Brennan Williams worked his first show since March 13, defeating Brendan Vink.
- Oney Lorcan worked his first NXT live event since March 15, teaming with Danny Burch in a loss to the Forgotten Sons' Steve Cutler and Wesley Blake.
- Keith Lee returned to the ring for the first time since March 7, teaming with Kushida and Babatunde in a win over the Undisputed Era's Roderick Strong, Kyle O'Reilly, and Bobby Fish. This was Kushida's first NXT live event.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. That's the first I've heard of that. I'm not sure where it came from.

2. I also haven't heard any indication they're doing any further projects along that line. FWMF was inspired by a documentary on Paige's journey to WWE. There might not be the same interest in following what happened next, or a similar wrestling story. It takes inspiration sometimes to make something like that happen.

3. I wonder how many people caught that detail at the time. The Internet and WWE Network weren't a thing back then!

4. He seems to have disappeared from wrestling shortly after his ECW tenure ended.

5. Obviously the red and yellow was a big hit and fit him perfectly.

More wrestling tomorrow.

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