WWE taping update, WWE making change permanent?, more on NXT move, wrestling content updates, Interviews with Seth/HHH/Aiden/Charlotte/Cody/Baker, Takeover match official, WWE and wrestling trademarks, another Double Dark, Arnold supports Shad, Vince denies XFL stories, Stardom issues statement on Hana, Countdown audience, Raw injury, recent NXT name in Impact, and Questions on Kofi dropping from main event status, Cornette, AEW's teams, indies returning, and AEW vs. WWE in COVID PR

WWE taped this week's Raw, Smackdown, Main Event, and 205 Live Monday. They taped next week's episodes of the same shows Tuesday. The original plan was to do two Raws on Monday.

- NXT will tape up to Takeover:In Your House today.

WWE is considering making their plexiglass barriers permanent for TV and live events. I'm curious how that would change fan interest in having tickets close to the ring. Obviously it's safer for the talents, especially during the pandemic.

Matt Riddle is scheduled to move to Smackdown soon. He was initially planned to do so following WrestleMania. He could use a new environment and Smackdown could use a new talent in the mix. 

WWE hosted episodes of Saturday Night Live will air on NBC Sports Network Thursday night:
- The Rock (3/25/15 and 5/20/17)
- John Cena (12/10/16)
- Ronda Rousey (1/23/16)

Shayna Baszler is getting a Best Of WWE Network special Thursday.

Seth Rollins spoke to Sports Illustrated before Raw:
- Seth vs. Edge is absolutely a big match that needs to happen.

- I love Seth working with some diamonds in the rough as it were. I'm all for fresh faces on Mondays and Fridays.

Triple H discussed Ronda Rousey on TMZ Sports. A return is in her hands and in her... womb, I guess?

Takeover: In Your House has added Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest. I wouldn't mind Priest also moving to Smackdown or Raw since he's 38 and unlikely to be NXT Champion. Raid NXT, dammit!

WWE has trademarked "Total Divas" for merchandise purposes. I was under the impression they were going to do that concept again before the pandemic hit, so maybe that will still happen.

WWE has trademarked "WCW" for merchandise purposes. Makes sense.

AEW Dark was again a "double" edition this week featuring unsigned talents, namely Serpentico, Brady Pierce, Faboo Andre, Tony Donati, Mr. Grim, Lee Johnson, KiLynn King, Alan Angels, and Shawn Dean. AEW is giving people opportunities, for sure.

Zack Ryder (Matt Cardona) has trademarked "Major Player." I like the nod to his earlier WWE gimmick.

Jordynne Grace has trademarked "The Hossette." That's pretty apropos.

Arnold Schwarzenegger paid tribute to Shad Gaspard. A lot of respect to him for doing so.

Aiden English spoke to Alicia Atout.

Vince McMahon is denying reports of looking to buy XFL. We'll see what's next for the league, if anything.

Charlotte Flair is on Stephanie McMahon's Women of Sports podcast.

Stephanie McMahon will be on Variety's "Rebooting the Entertainment Industry" series.

Raw has added Apollo Crews defending the United States Championship. Paul Heyman loves the "fighting babyface champion" trope.

Evolution 2018 will air on FS1 June 9.

Stardom released a statement regarding Hana Kimura's passing and the family's wishes for privacy during this painful time.

- Her passing was covered by CNN, which mentions the remainder of the season will be suspended.

Cody was interviewed on The Rich Eisen Show.

Double or Nothing's Countdown special drew 344,000 viewers. Not bad at all.

Kairi Sane's head was badly cut during a match taped for Raw. Doctors attended to her and she finished the match. It's been a rough time for her the past six months or so. I hope she doesn't miss much time.

Britt Baker is on AEW's latest Unrestricted podcast. 

Deonna Purrazzo is joining Impact. She had a video on Tuesday's episode. Notably the NXT releases only had a 30-day no-compete clause. I'm ready for her to have a bigger stage than she did in WWE. 

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Smackdown would rather focus on others as top singles babyfaces, with New Day staying a top face team. Theoretically Kofi can get another opportunity as a top name, but there'd have to be a real push for it given how far he's slid.

2. Frankly the wrestling business should have left his opinions behind long ago. It's baffling and disheartening he still gets the attention he gets and the number of "second chances" he's gotten over the years.

3. Wait what?? Omega and Page were already on the same side and it's clear there's a story they wanted to tell with them. That's a far cry from the cliché of putting two people together because there aren't any other ideas for them. I do think they haven't done a great job with The Butcher and The Blade, though it's possible the team isn't being used due to COVID precautions. Perhaps if Dark comes to TV we'll see more teams spotlighted.

4. It could be too early for them to make that call.

5. I would think AEW looks good for those reasons. WWE is still projected to do very, very well financially with the TV deals.

More wrestling tomorrow.