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Saturday, June 27, 2020

All Japan talent having DDT run, WWE changes stockholder meeting, coronavirus-related wrestling updates, Interview with Gulak, Vickie book coming, assorted wrestling press, Impact releases top name, WWE releases NXT UK names, Dark lineup, Raw segments set, UK wrestling scene takes a hit, more Speaking Out effects, new Extreme Rules matches added, and a Question on Shane's behind-the-scenes status

All Japan's Jun Akiyama will wrestle for DDT for the remainder of the year as part of an agreement between the two sides. He is still part of All Japan.

WWE has changed its stockholders meeting to a virtual session set for July 16. This comes after multiple postponements with the hope of having a physical meeting.

Adam Pearce thanked those who reached out after his COVID-19 diagnosis.

Drew Gulak spoke to Newsweek ahead of his scheduled Intercontinental Championship match. He really did well with that appearance.

Vickie Guerrero announced working on an autobiography.

WWE saw more positive COVID-19 test results Friday.

- Jamie Noble confirmed he was among those diagnosed. I wish him the best as he recovers.

The Undertaker and Triple H were namedropped on "The Daily Show" Thursday.

Jim Cornette and Bobby Fulton are doing a GoFundMe for Southern Ohio Survivors.

Smackdown was changed drastically due to extensive COVID-19 testing and waiting for tests to come back negative.

Michael Elgin has been removed from Impact Wrestling as a result of the Speaking Out movement. No taped content featuring him will air, and he no longer has merchandise for sale. Elgin is a very talented individual with star power, but wrestling locker rooms shouldn't be a haven for predators.

- Elgin deleted his social media accounts after this announcement. His post-release statement was reported.

- Elgin also had a backstage fight with Sami Callihan at a recent taping regarding a match both of them were in. Scott D'Amore broke the fight up.

WWE Playback has been added to WWE Network.

Nancy Benoit shirts have been added to Pro Wrestling Tees as a collaboration with Dark Side of the Ring and Nancy's family.

WWE has released Ligero and Travis Banks as a result of the Speaking Out movement. There was no public announcement of these releases, but both men have been removed from the WWE website.

WWE did not tape Raw on Friday as intended. The taping was moved to Saturday.

Dark has announced:
- Young Bucks vs. Brandon Cutler and Peter Avalon
- Lance Archer vs. Pineapple Pete
- Brandi Rhodes and Allie vs. KiLynn King and Skyler Moore
- Scorpio Sky vs. Brady Pierce
- Ricky Starks vs. Griff Garrison
- The Butcher & The Blade vs. Low Rida and Fuego del Sol
- Shawn Spears vs. Max Caster

Raw has added contract signings for Drew McIntyre vs. Dolph Ziggler and Asuka vs. Sasha Banks.

Multiple UK wrestling promotions are facing difficulties following the losses of multiple talents as a result of the Speaking Out movement, compounding issues from COVID-19. There is real concern about the future of the wrestling scene there, including NXT UK. 

UK's Equity union has met with several female wrestlers following the Speaking Out movement. It's believed future meetings will include political and legal figures.

Scotland is considering looking at wrestling events and schools in the wake of the Speaking Out movement.

Saraya Knight has said she is done with the wrestling business following allegations in the Speaking Out movement. She has deleted her social media accounts.

Renee Young publicly confirming her COVID-19 diagnosis was not something WWE knew about beforehand. WWE is upset at her disclosure.

Natalya missed this weekend's TV tapings due to having a fever. She has not tested positive for COVID-19.

NXT considered having fans for upcoming tapings should they pass COVID-19 testing, but opted not to.

WWE is getting around New York quarantine requirements by flying talents and personnel to and from Pennsylvania instead. This is punishable by a fine, but it is considered unlikely to be enforced widely enough to be an issue. Frankly that's asinine and I hope the company gets heavy flak for it.

WWE has considered running TV tapings in large venues with socially distanced fans beginning in late July or late August.

Extreme Rules has added:
- Sasha Banks vs. Nikki Cross for the Smackdown Women's Championship
- Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt "at the swamp" in a non-title match.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Probably not, as it wouldn't be the usual experience.

Nothing to add to 2 or 3.

4. I don't believe he's at every taping, but has been known to help out when he is active as a performer.

Nothing to add to 5.

More wrestling tomorrow.

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