Total Pageviews

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

More on Mid-South on WWE Network, Punk charge dropped, Jarrett vs. Anthem update, AEW Fight for the Fallen details, first G1 Climax names, Interviews with IIconics/Darren Young/Becky/Kofi, WWE working on AR experience, WOTW matches set, Raw and Shakeup changes, Shield's last match on WWE Network, Ronda's future official, WWE announcer on release, AEW signs international star to full deal, what happened after Raw, and Questions on WWE saying belts again, the Shakeup mattering, The Demon losing, changes for future Manias, and Vince not wanting to be mentioned during the HoF

WWE Network's latest Mid-South Wrestling additions go from August 11, 1984, through April 27, 1985.

C.M. Punk is no longer being sued for fraud by Colt Cabana, as the court has dropped that claim. The two sides are still in a lawsuit over Punk's attorney possibly being on the hook for Cabana's legal fees during the Dr. Amann lawsuit.

- Punk is arguing Cabana couldn't be covered by Punk's lawyer, because of unspecified conflicts, and that, even if Cabana could have been covered legally, Cabana voluntarily severed that agreement and continued to pay for his own defense.

Jeff Jarrett is arguing Anthem did not have an implied license to use the GFW master tapes, as Anthem only got the tapes as part of a merger that ultimately failed. Jarrett is also arguing Anthem doesn't have the exclusive copyright to his name, because it's his legal name and other wrestling companies have used the name Jeff Jarrett before and since his time in Impact.

AEW Fight for the Fallen is set for July 13. It will benefit Jacksonville's Victim Assistance Advisory Council. Chris Jericho and PAC are set for the event on top of the usual AEW names. I'm curious what they'll do for that event.

G1 Climax will feature Kazuchika Okada, Kota Ibushi, Tetsuya Naito, and Jay White. All four men will compete in Texas on July 6.

The IIconics are on Lilian Garcia's latest podcast.

Darren Young talked about leaving WWE, working with Bob Backlund and more. I'm a little surprised no other prominent wrestling company has picked him up given his background.

WWE is working on an augmented reality experience with TV content. That's wild.

ROH's War of the Worlds tour has announced:
- Matt Taven vs. PCO for the ROH World Championship on May 9 in Ontario
- The Guerrillas of Destiny vs. Jay Lethal and Jonathan Gresham for the ROH Tag Team Championship on May 8 in New York
- Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima, and Hirooki Goto are booked for the tour.

Raw featured some script changes due to transportation challenges from bad weather and canceled flights. It's unknown what ended up being different.

Samoa Joe was at Raw, but was sick. That would seem to indicate there was a plan for him to switch brands. Surely they could have just done a video package or something rather than put that plan on the shelf?

- Also backstage at Raw were New Day (minus the injured Big E), The Bar, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, R-Truth, and Carmella.

WWE Network is doing a live, streaming special Sunday with The Shield's final tag match and Finn Balor defending the Intercontinental Championship. This is part of Raw's live event in Illinois that night.

Sasha Banks' absence from WWE is likely related to losing the women's tag team championship at WrestleMania. I don't blame her for being frustrated at working so hard and being overlooked. If she has a real option outside WWE, and WWE thinks that option will make money from her, they'll rethink the situation.

Ronda Rousey has indicated she's taking time off from WWE to have children. She remains under WWE contract and can choose to return to the ring down the line if interested.

Becky Lynch talked to a New Zealand outlet. I think there are some fresh names interested in stepping up to challenge her!

Kofi Kingston spoke to USA Today about his title win and more. I appreciate the take on how his matches went before the push.

Dasha Fuentes spoke on her WWE release. I'm very curious what she does from here.

AEW has signed CIMA to a full-time wrestling deal. CIMA will continue his duties with OWE.

After Raw, The Shield did another sendoff as Dean Ambrose was brought from the back to join Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. I wouldn't be shocked to see Roman moved to Smackdown Live with Ambrose leaving.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. As always, any "rule" in WWE is only in place until a compelling exception comes along. If WWE wants someone to say belt, they'll say belt.

2. Yes. While obviously anyone can be moved at any time if the McMahons want them to, there's at least a foundation of which talents are on which show. It does look like the free agents are tied to one show or the other now, so that's a start to making the split matter again.

3. I definitely think when The Demon loses, it needs to mean something. Although that something could just be freshening things up so they're not as predictable. I don't think we're at that point, though.

4. WWE absolutely needs to make sure the transportation thing doesn't happen again and everyone knows things can go light. We'll see if they address long shows. Right now they're thinking making the show longer makes it more meaningful and prestigious. To some degree, it will depend on what the card is. If they're short on marquee matches and/or matches with wrestlers who can go the distance, WWE could cut back. I wouldn't count on it, though.

5. There's a line between Vince the owner and Vince the character. I would believe he doesn't want to be such a big on-screen presence. He did have Mr. McMahon killed 12 years ago, after all.

More wrestling tomorrow.

No comments:

Post a Comment