ROH is planning a new direction for their TV tapings. These shows will be built around the Pure Championship tournament. I think a lot of us are ready for something new from the group that was really spinning its tires for a long time.
- International talents set for the Pure Championship tournament will be unavailable. Specifically, Doug Williams, Mark Haskins, Slex, Joe Hendry, Ren Narita, and Yuji Nagata have been pulled from the tournament.
- Wheeler Yuta will debut for ROH at these tapings, entering into the Pure Championship tournament.
Delirious is in charge of ROH creative while Marty Scurll is being investigated as part of the Speaking Out movement. I have mixed feelings on that given the need for a change in direction.
WWE moving tapings from the Performance Center is a move to have greater production capabilities, as well as potentially allowing fans to attend again. That sounds like something that could help audience drops.
- NXT will continue to be taped from Full Sail.
WWE discussed adding CHIKARA to WWE Network months back, but no agreement was reached. That could be on hold indefinitely after the Speaking Out movement.
NJPW has considered using international talent in G1, but is cautious given COVID rates in the United States. That's a tough call to make.
CMLL announced shows returning September 4, with weekly iPPVs on Fridays. These are initially set to be empty arena events, with the hope of fans returning at limited capacity.
- CMLL's September 25 event will be their anniversary show, with fans choosing challengers for each championship.
ACH will work more NJPW events going forward, including internationally when that is a possibility. I'm glad things have improved for him.
Stardom founder Rossy Ogawa had a scheduled medical procedure this week.
Stardom's Saki Kashima has been pulled from action for unspecified physical reasons.
United Wrestling Network's weekly iPPV events will be separate from CWFH tapings and NWA Powerrr. The shows will be available in English and Spanish, and feature regular COVID and temperature tests.
Mexico City's athletic commission is loaning money to those in the wrestling business due to COVID's effect on business.
Davey Boy Smith, Jr. was approached to work Impact, but was unable to do so because of his MLW contract. His contract is up in December and he is looking at other options, including NXT UK. I'd love to see him have a regular televised role.
Evil Uno is helping the Canadian Cancer Society. Great to see.
WWE Network is adding:
- "WWE Untold" with Bayley vs. Sasha Banks on August 22.
- "WWE 24" focusing on WrestleMania August 23.
- WWF Superstars episodes on Monday.
Drew McIntyre and Alexa Bliss are set for Topps' DigiCon 2020 August 28.
The Briscoes will be on ROH Strong this week.
Kenny Omega, The Bellas, and Tyson Fury took part in a UFC video game tournament.
NXT UK has signed Amalie of France.
Bea Priestley commented on her AEW release: Tweet 1 Tweet 2 Tweet 3 I doubt we've seen the last of her on U.S. TV.
Summerslam has added:
- Bayley vs. Asuka for the Smackdown Women's Championship
- Mandy Rose vs. Sonya Deville in a Hair vs. Hair match
New Japan Cup USA 2020's finals are KENTA vs. David Finlay.
Raw has announced Shawn Michaels confronting Randy Orton for the Ric Flair attack. The legend appearances seem to be taking priority over the Drew feud, but that's what happens when your audience is dropping, I suppose.
Payback has announced Bayley and Sasha Banks defending the Women's Tag Team Championship. This PPV feels more like one of those one-hour WWE Network specials in terms of how quickly and arbitrarily it's being built.
Sonya Deville spoke to comicbook.com before Smackdown. I hope she breaks out as a heel when this feud ends.
AJ Styles' assistant on Smackdown was former Impact star and current WWE producer Joseph Park (better known as Abyss). With Jeff Hardy involved, we had three former TNA world title holders in the ring at once!
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
Nothing to add to 1 or 3.
2. About all I can add is that just when one company isn't doing as well, it doesn't mean other companies will succeed where they haven't unless they're giving fans reasons to stick around. Those other companies were in the process of being left behind in the rock and wrestling era.
4. Are we really going to ignore his reign as 24/7 Champion??
5. I get the feeling Petey's phasing out of the taking bumps part of his career.
More wrestling tomorrow.
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