NXT subtitle, wrestling content updates and press, Cena starring in HBO show, Takeover matches added, trademark notes, Impact Plus specials set, AEW COVID positive, Late Night Dynamite audience, Interview with Miro, another Spring Break name, Dynamite matches set, Jericho anniversary special, and Questions on Russo's speech, Mt. Rushmore, WWE taglines, and WWE running arenas

Road Warrior Animal's passing will be covered in a separate post tomorrow.

NXT was subtitled Takeoff to Takeover. WWE is really trying hard with the "special" episode and PPV taglines lately. I don't think it's really making any changes in terms of audience interest, though.

"The Bump" before Clash of Champions will have Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and Jimmy Uso.

John Cena will star in HBO Max's "Peacemaker," featuring his Suicide Squad character. That's intriguing.

Takeover 31 has added:

- Damian Priest vs. Johnny Gargano for the North American Championship

- Io Shirai vs. Candice LeRae for the Women's Championship

- Finn Balor vs. Kyle O'Reilly for the NXT Championship

Roman Reigns in on "After The Bell" this week.

Expo Lucha will be held virtually on October 10.

Pentagon, Jr. has trademarked "Penta Zero M" to use outside of AEW and AAA.

WWE has filed oppositions to Cody trademarking Slamboree and Match Beyond. All of the Dusty era trademarks are so clearly linked to property WWE owns.

Impact has announced monthly Impact Plus specials, with Turning Point coming in November and Final Resolution airing in December. I'm curious what those shows will be like. I hope they don't just slap those names on some indie shows with a big match on top, but I could see that occurring.

Jerry Lawler's 50th anniversary got local press. Very cool piece.

NWA's original world championship is profiled in a new book.

New England Pro Wrestling Academy's struggles during the pandemic got press. 

Lance Archer announced a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. I wish him and his family the best.

Late Night Dynamite drew 585,000 viewers. That's pretty solid for a show on that late.

Ultimo Guerrero and Bandido will miss CMLL's anniversary event due to positive COVID-19 tests. Bandido will get his NWA Welterweight Championship opportunity in October. Another scary situation in the lucha scene due to the pandemic.

Miro spoke to Sports Illustrated before Dynamite. Very good look at his journey, and it sounds like he's looking to work in Japan.

Spring Break 4 has added DDT's YOSHIHIKO.

Dynamite has announced:

- Chris Jericho vs. Isaiah Kassidy

- FTR vs. Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian with a 20-minute time limit.

- Darby Allin vs. Ricky Starks

Dynamite's October 7 episode will be built around Chris Jericho's 30th anniversary in wrestling. That could be a draw, for sure.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:

1. I can't help but think there's part of Russo that, when "on air", is portraying an over-the-top version of himself with the accent and such. 

2. George Hackenschmidt, Lou Thesz, Bruno Sammartino, and Vince McMahon off the top of my head. A proper Mount Rushmore, for me, would be acknowledging the foundations of the business. 

3. Well we already had Great Balls of Fire, so I can only imagine what ideas didn't make air.

4. Given where ratings are now, I expect more of them. They're chasing new marketing gimmicks, which is not the sign of a company that's thriving creatively. 

5. That seems like an unnecessarily large expense. I don't think it would be a big boost to the audience levels.

More wrestling tomorrow.