WWE trademarks, Stephanie speech, Interviews with Ospreay/PCO/Quackenbush/Cobb/Taven, Cabana responds to Punk countersuit, Fyter Fest opening, Jinder surgery, Bischoff set for SDL, more on Bischoff's new deal, Raw match, NJPW press, NXT live event notes, and Questions on WWE Network Funk footage, Borash's WWE duties, WWE blocking AEW from venues, EVOLVE vs. AEW, and Impact's TV future

WWE recently trademarked the names of The IIconics, Zelina Vega, Heavy Machinery, Lacey Evans, EC3, Drake Maverick, the Lucha House Party, and The B-Team.

Stephanie McMahon spoke at a summit for NBA's Celtics.

Will Ospreay is on Edge and Christian's latest podcast. Not bad for a "little guy." I'm glad he's using the Rollins interaction to get buzz.

Colt Cabana has officially responded to C.M. Punk's counterlawsuit, asking for it to be dismissed. Cabana points out that Punk's testimony in the Amann lawsuit indicates Punk was going to cover Cabana's costs, and an email where Punk asked Cabana to make a payment for legal services indicated Punk would pay Cabana back once Punk got paid for competing in UFC. Cabana's side also argues it's too late for Punk to ask for the money back now, after Cabana's filed this much against Punk. This will be one to follow.

AEW released the opening to Fyter Fest. They're definitely bringing their A-game.

Jinder Mahal recently had surgery for a ruptured patella tendon. So that puts his 24/7 Title chase on hold.

Eric Bischoff will be at Smackdown Live this week, beginning his role as executive director. Paul Heyman was already scheduled to be at Raw, and he will begin his role, too. The pair's ideas will be integrated over time rather than a big reboot being scheduled. It will be really, really fascinating to see what changes and when.

- Bischoff being at this week's episode is a rather sudden move. Initially it looked like it was going to be a few weeks before he appeared.

- Bischoff's new contract prohibits him from making outside appearances, so he's canceled upcoming dates. That's unfortunate, but hopefully it's for the best.

Raw has announced Bobby Lashley vs. Braun Strowman in a Falls Count Anywhere match.

NJPW running in Texas got local press, with comments from Mark Cuban, NJPW's chairman, Dave Meltzer, and Lance Archer.

NXT UK's Kay Lee Ray and Piper Niven are finishing Pro Wrestling EVE commitments this weekend.

PCO spoke before Best in the World. He had another very impressive performance on the show.

Mike Quackenbush appeared on the "Because WCW" podcast to discuss luchadores in the company.

Jeff Cobb is on Chris Jericho's latest podcast. He's got a tremendous upside.

Matt Taven promoted Best in the World. ROH has unquestionably picked up some really talented people with The Elite leaving. Taven did a good job putting over the company here.

At NXT's June 28 Florida live event:
- Jeet Rama competed for the first time since May 11, losing to Isaiah Scott.
- Nick Comoroto competed for the first time since May 23, losing to Bronson Reed.
- Joaquin Wilde and Jordan Myles lost to Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel, so the former DJZ and ACH were a duo.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. I'm not sure if WWE just wanted to save it for tying into other Funk Hidden Gems or they just discovered it or what, but it's been in their archive.

2. I'm under the impression he's more or less being groomed to someday do that role on Raw and/or Smackdown Live.

3. I expect WWE will try to block them from running certain places, but I expect venues will be willing to consider running AEW given the success the brand has seen so far and the connections the Khans have.

4. EVOLVE booked their show first, but of course it wasn't originally scheduled to be a WWE Network special.

5. If they don't get a new TV home by the fall, I'd think there are decent odds they focus on streaming on Twitch. I wouldn't think they'd leave Pursuit voluntarily without another TV option in place, but if the channel keeps getting dropped, obviously that lessens the reach the show has on TV. If there were better TV options, Impact would love to move!

More wrestling tomorrow.