WWE taping update, more on classic Network drop, WWE content updates, Akira's big friend, assorted wrestling press, Impact renews TV deal, Interviews with Dain/Webster, Shane wants Taker again, Jarrett-Anthem court updates, Dark and Smackdown previews, WWE planning live shows, WWE rookie shirts, MLW contract expires, more on MLW working agreements, WWEPC name tests positive for COVID, and Questions on a physical HoF, why WWE has writers, Heyman's best projects, Vince letting talent loose, and AEW without Jericho

WWE taped Raw and Smackdown for this week Monday.

WWE Network's Prime Time Wrestling episode additions span from October 9, 1989 through December 18, 1989.

New Day's podcast this week features WWE trainer Larry Heck and mailbag questions.

Ron Simmons will be on WWE Photo Shoot Friday. This was originally going to air in February.

Akira Tozawa's largest ninja is WWEPC signee Jordan Omogbehin.

Jerry Lawler's court case regarding his son's passing has a jury trial scheduled for May 24, 2021. That's an awful long time to wait for something that important.

ROH is selling their compilation sets buy one, get one free.

ROH's latest ROHStrong podcast features Australia's Slex, Adam Brooks, and Kellyanne.

Impact has renewed its Mexican TV deal.

Killian Dain spoke to Alicia Atout. I've missed him. He's too good to be on the sidelines.

Shane McMahon has challenged The Undertaker to another Hell In A Cell match. That would be a spectacle if both men have it in them.

Jeff Jarrett and Anthem are preparing for a pre-trial conference Friday that will include rulings on the following motions, among others:
- Jarrett doesn't want Anthem to discuss Jeff's conduct while intoxicated, seeing it as irrelevant to the matter at hand. Jarrett's issues with alcohol led to his suspension and ultimate termination from Impact.

- Anthem doesn't want evidence of Anthem Sports' corporate structure and finances, as Anthem Wrestling is a separate part of that umbrella and the two sides don't share assets.

- Anthem says social media chatter from fans asking about the Impact-GFW relationship should be dismissed as hearsay.

-- One document notes GFW content drew less than $10,000 in profit for Anthem.

-- Jeff Jarrett, Ed Nordholm, Scott D'Amore, and Josh Mathews are all scheduled to testify.

-- The trial is set to have nearly ten witnesses and go at least five business days should it not be settled.

AEW Dark has announced:
- Frankie Kazarian and Christopher Daniels vs. Brandon Cutler and Peter Avalon
- Scorpio Sky vs. Robert Anthony
- Stu Grayson and Evil Uno vs. Brady Pierce and John Skyler
- Brandi Rhodes and Allie vs. Kenzie Page and Red Velvet
- Jurassic Express vs. Jon Cruz and Capital Vices
- Joey Janela and Sonny Kiss vs. Shawn Dean and Musa
- Big Swole vs .Dani Jordyn
- Lance Archer vs. David Ali
- Penelope Ford vs. Skyler Moore
- Jimmy Havoc vs. Griff Garrison
- Shawn Spears vs. Lee Johnson

WWE is discussing returning to live events in time for September. Of course, COVID precautions would apply. If safe, that would be a positive move for the company.

The Undertaker has a Best Of collection on WWE Network starting today. They could probably fill a whole day with content under that description.

Jessie Godderz will get an OVW TV special this week. With no new tapings, they're running highlight shows.

NXT UK's Flash Morgan Webster got local press.

IWTV has added UK's Riptide Wrestling.

WWE has released "rookie" shirts for:
- Scott Hall as The Diamond Studd
- The Undertaker as "Mean" Mark Callous
- Triple H as Terra Ryzing
- Edge as Sexton Hardcastle
- Stone Cold as The Ringmaster
- Kane as Dr. Isaac Yankem
-- Huge seal of approval from me.

MLW Anthology will next focus on Steve Corino's Extreme Horsemen. I miss Corino!

- The Von Erichs will likely be featured in a future episode.

MLW has another streaming deal in the works. They continue to make moves.

MLW's Kotto Brazil's deal has expired. He has been written out of storylines.

MLW intends to continue using Pro Wrestling NOAH and Dragon Gate talents when COVID restrictions allow them to do so. There is no deal between MLW and NJPW at this point.

Smackdown has added:
- Firefly Fun House
- MizTV with Mandy Rose
-- I'm a lot more excited about one of those than the other.

A WWE Performance Center trainee has tested positive for COVID-19. This individual was in the crowd June 9 and has not been at the facility sense. WWE promptly tested everyone else at the site. I really, really hope the best moves have been made here. These are unprecedented times for the company and this could quickly get really bad.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. I would be surprised if she ever assents to WWE honoring Owen.

2. Vince is the filter for which ideas get approved, and of course puts in his own ideas, but he is way too busy to write that much TV each week by himself. Just like a general can't fight a war by themselves, Vince needs an army to execute his direction.

3. Assuming I can't pick Brock Lesnar, Ronda Rousey, or Becky Lynch, since they preceded Heyman's promotion, I'd have to say Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre.

4. Either Vince gets too busy with other endeavors or he trusts the talent enough to deliver without his guidance.

5. There's no way AEW would be as successful in the mainstream without Jericho, and honestly it's possible they wouldn't have a weekly TV series without him (instead having your Fyter Fests and such every so often). Jericho would probably have a critically-acclaimed mid-level feud or two in WWE and focus on Fozzy, NJPW, Impact, or other endeavors without AEW.

More wrestling tomorrow.