Ramblings About Wrestling: November 2020

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Former NWA titleholder done, assorted wrestling notes, Vince Netflix update, WWE trademark, another MLW name, AEW signings, Raw audience, Interviews with Cedric/Lilian/Moxley/Gresham/Lio, Impact matches set and Questions on RETRIBUTION, Miz cashing in, multi-man matches in AEW, Four Horsewomen, and Kacy

Allysin Kay, also known as Sienna in Impact, is now a free agent, as her NWA contract has expired. Naturally there's curiosity of where she goes next.

Impact is auctioning signed goods from Bound For Glory and Slammiversary.

Nikki Cross is on Alexa Bliss' latest podcast.

AEW's third line of action figured will feature the Young Bucks, Orange Cassidy, Darby Allin, PAC, and Riho.

Vince McMahon's Netflix documentary will be four episodes. I'm really looking forward to that.

WWE has trademarked Chigona Bomb, the name of Raquel Gonzalez' finisher.

ACH has been announced for MLW's Restart.

AEW has signed Anthony Bowens and Max Caster, who will team as The Acclaimed.

Raw drew 1.66 million viewers Monday night.

Pat McAfee and One Two joined "The Bump" today.

Cedric Alexander spoke to Sports Illustrated and TVInsider before Raw. I liked his comments about Hurt Business not being about race.

Lilian Garcia spoke to Chris Van Vliet.

Jon Moxley spoke to TVInsider before Dynamite.

Jonathan Gresham spoke to Sports Illustrated about being Pure Champion and more.

Lance Storm is setting up a virtual wrestling academy for the coming weeks.

Lio Rush discussed MLW with WrestlingInc.

Turning Point has announced:

- Rich Swann vs. Sami Callihan for the World Championship

- Su Yung vs. Deonna Purrazzo in an anything goes match for the Knockouts Championship

- The North vs. Good Brothers for the Tag Team Championship

- Moose vs. Willie Mack for the TNA Championship

- Brian Myers vs. Swoggle

Impact has announced:

- Rohit Raju vs. TJP for the X-Division Championship. This is TJP's last chance at the championship

- Tenille Dashwood and Madison Rayne vs. Havok and Neveah

- Chris Sabin vs. Acey Romero

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

1. Honestly there might not have been an "original plan," much less an idea to use released wrestlers. Those names were cut for a reason.

2. Unlikely. I expect they'll build Orton to face Edge at WrestleMania.

3. I like them. They serve as a good contrast to the same people doing the same things in WWE.

4. They were pushed heavily and had distinct characters.

5. I like what I've seen of her. It's far too early to talk about big things for her future. WWE has plenty of other women to push right now.

More wrestling tomorrow.

Impact Wrestling Reax - 11/4/20

Read on for my thoughts on last night's Impact Wrestling.

Another promotion getting FITE show, Super J Cup set, Knockout retires, assorted wrestling content, ROH alum returns to wrestling, AEW Games update, more WWE job openings, Raw team addition, and Questions on WWF's booking of WCW, RETRIBUTION's future, Riddle losing his first name, and why ratings are down

North American Wrestling Alliance will debut a weekly FITE show on January 7.

NJPWoA is holding a Super J-Cup on December 12. ROH's Rey Horus, Impact's Chris Bey, and Game Changer Wrestling's Blake Christian join ACH, Clark Connors, El Phantasmo, Lio Rush, and TJP in the one-night tournament. Cool to see that much involvement.

Kylie Rae announced her retirement as a wrestler. Surprising turn of events. I hope she's in a good place going forward.

WWE announced a custom folding chair deal.

ROH alum John Walters has announced a full-time wrestling return. We'll see where that leads him.

Zelina Vega has launched an OnlyFans account. Interesting timing.

Zelina Vega is on Lilian Garcia's most recent podcast.

Toni Storm will be on the Swerve City Podcast this week.

WWE Network's independent additions this week:

- PROGRESS' Best of Pete Dunne

- wXw Shotgun 2020 #1

- EVOLVE 134

- ICW Fight Club 102

WWF referee Al Vass passed away at 86. PWInsider.com remembered his career.

AEW has launched an AEW Games Twitter account.

ROH had a watch party for their most recent episode Tuesday.

Paul Heyman is on Sports Illustrated's media podcast.

Ringside Fest will be virtual this year, with Keith Lee and Liv Morgan set to attend.

WWE has posted job opportunities for:

- Producer

- Director of Operations for Strategy

- Director of Digital Platform Marketing

- Production Assistant for Documentaries

Raw's Survivor Series men's team has added Braun Strowman.

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

1. I don't think it was realistic to expect WCW under the WWF umbrella to be a long-term venture. The feeling was that a lot of the top WCW names were overpaid and washed up/lazy, so WWF wanted to continue to build the stars and shows they were already building. As for putting Storm in Buff's place, I think that would have even further solidified the "invaders" weren't top tier names.

2 isn't a wrestling question.

3. In hindsight putting them under masks was probably the right move! I hope we do see those names do better post-RETRIBUTION.

4. I'm curious if he'll get his first name back when things are figured out with his lawsuit.

5. It's absolutely a combination of factors, but I don't think anyone will say WWE is at its height of freshness or star power right now.

More wrestling tomorrow.

Raw Reax - 11/2/20

Monday, November 2, 2020

ROH declares Pure Champion, AAA name coming to MLW, Dark lineup, WWE Network content, wrestling movie, and Questions on changing Survivor Series, Halloween Havoc not being a Takeover special, and mobile big men

Jonathan Gresham is ROH's new Pure Champion, having defeated Tracy Williams in the tournament final.

MLW is using AAA's Laredo Kid as part of their "Restart" Fusion episodes.

Dark has announced:

- Lei'D Tapa vs. KiLynn King

- The Butcher & The Blade vs. Jersey Muscle

- Sammy Guevara vs. Lee Johnson

- Private Party vs. Chaos Project

- Griff Garrison and Brian Pillman, Jr. vs. Sean Maluta and Alex Chamberlain

- Brandi Rhodes and Red Velvet vs. Leyla Hirsch and Elayna Black

- Colt Cabana, John Silver, and Preston Vance vs. Shawn Dean, Cezar Bononi, And Fuego Del Sol

- Will Hobbs vs. D3

- Ricky Starks vs. Dave Dutra

- Alan Angels vs. VSK

- Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy vs. Danny Limelight and KC Navarro

- Darby Allin vs. BSHP King

- Evil Uno and Stu Grayson vs. Baron Black and Nick Comoroto

- Frankie Kazarian vs. Ryzin

- Max Caster and Anthony Bowens vs. Aaron Solow and Angel Fashion

Liv Morgan will be the subject of a WWE Network documentary in November.

WWE Network is adding more of Prime Time Wrestling in November.

The Undertaker will be on "Break It Down" on WWE Network this month.

Rob Van Dam, Sabu, Matt Sydal, Katie Forbes, and Tommy Chong will be in a wrestling movie. Fans are being scouted as extras for a wrestling scene.

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

1. I'd be fine with the winning brand getting the final spot in the Royal Rumble, but I think ultimately I'd drop the concept. Honestly Survivor Series as a whole is outdated.

2 is a repeat.

3. I also think it worked well as a special TV episode, given how samey the weekly show had become.

4. It depends on the wrestler and the match. If every other wrestler is flying around, it's good to have someone who utilizes skills the other wrestlers can't do. Of course, having someone with limited mobility work a long, plodding match isn't fun, but that doesn't mean everyone needs to have acrobatic routines.

5. Could be a solid plan to make the event meaningful. WWE would have to commit to it, though.

More wrestling tomorrow.

Smackdown audience, WWE international TV clearance, Sarah Stock update, ROH signing angle, NXT UK trademarks, Smackdown angle update, and Impact announces a special event

Smackdown drew 2.13 million viewers for the post-Hell in a Cell episode.

WWE will now air live in Thailand for both Raw and Smackdown.

Sarah Stock's recent case has been resolved as a misdemeanor. She paid a fine as a result.

ROH announced signing Danhausen under the stipulation he win a match before the end of 2020.

WWE has trademarked NXT UK ring names Rampage Brown, Nina Samuels, and Aleah James.

After Smackdown, Daniel Bryan was "taken to a local medical facility" as a result of Jey Uso's attack.

Turning Point is set for Impact Plus on November 14.

More wrestling coming up.

WWE furlough update, international wrestling updates, ROH names set to return, Thunder Rosa update, WWE-Twitch updates, why Riddle lost his first name, Raw has two different endings, WWE matches announced, WCW executive interviewed, MLW return date, WWE trademarks, NXT UK signing, HoFer done with WWE, A&E documentaries, wrestling content updates, Amell injured, Impact name signs new deal, ROH angle, Smothers Memorial Fund, Survivor Series additions, Undertaker appearance, and Questions on a WCW or ECW game and Legends Roundtable

WWE expects to bring back most of its furloughed employees by the end of 2020. That's a positive sign of improvement.

Marvel and AAA are planning further integration if TripleMania goes well.

Stardom talents are hiring personal trainers to stand out in the Bushiroad era.

wXw has temporarily closed their wrestling school due to COVID.

ROH is looking to use Rush and Dragon Lee again in December.

Thunder Rosa is expected to work further AEW dates.

WWE talents have shut down Twitch accounts due to direct orders from the company. A number of talents met with Vince McMahon to change his mind, but were unsuccessful.

- Paige was especially upset at this move, lashing out at the company on the service.

WWE changing Riddle's name was due to the company trying to distance themselves from negative press associated with him when his name is searched.

Raw in Canada continued the feed past the U.S. ending, though there was no talk from the announcers.

NXT has announced Tommaso Ciampa vs. Velveteen Dream and Ember Moon vs. Dakota Kai.

WCW executive Jim Herd is being interviewed on Conrad Thompson's podcast network.

MLW Fusion returns with fresh episodes November 18.

WWE has trademarked "Then Now Forever" as well as NXT UK ring names Tyson T-Bone and Xia Brookside.

NXT UK has signed Rampage Brown.

Sting no longer has merchandise on WWE Shop, likely meaning an end to the working relationship between the two sides. We'll see where he ends up next.

A&E will be doing documentaries on Ultimate Warrior and Bret Hart.

PAC will appear on Dynamite this week to "update his status." I don't expect to see him wrestle anytime soon, which is a shame.

Xavier Woods is doing a WWE Meet & Greet on Wednesday.

Batista is booked for a movie called "Universe's Most Wanted" that will begin shooting in the spring.

Shane Taylor is on the most recent ROH Strong podcast.

Stephen Amell injured himself during "Heels" filming while performing a stunt. Production has not been stopped.

Impact has signed Fallah Bahh to a new contract. I'm curious what his future holds.

WWE won a SPORTEL Award for their execution of Thunderdome.

ROH announced storyline fines for Matt Taven and Vincent due to their recent attacks.

A Tracy Smothers Memorial Fund has been setup on GoFundMe.

Smackdown's Survivor Series women's team has added Bianca Belair.

Smackdown's Survivor Series men's team has added Kevin Owens and Jey Uso.

Smackdown has announced Sasha Banks vs. Bayley for the Smackdown Women's Championship.

The Undertaker appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

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

Nothing to add to 1.

2. Yes, with WWE's approval. I don't expect a standalone game for either company that's been gone this many years, though. The WWE brand is much stronger.

Nothing to add to 3, 4, or 6.

5. I would think if WWE felt there was a lot of demand for the product, we could see it again.

More wrestling coming up.

Sunday, November 1, 2020

Main Event and 205 Live Reax - 10/30/20

Read on for my thoughts on Friday's Main Event and 205 Live.

Smackdown Reax - 10/30/20

Read on for my thoughts on Friday night's edition of Smackdown.

WWE Q3 2020 financial Reax

WWE released their financial results from the third quarter of 2020:

- COVID cutting travel costs has greatly benefited WWE.

- The outdated live event schedule will hopefully be revamped to be more profitable when they're able to return to arenas.

WWE held a conference call on the earnings, recapped here:

- I can't help but think the praise for the current management team is a shot at the departed co-presidents.

- I am ALL FOR a Vince McMahon documentary.

- Licensing the Network sounds like a good move.

- Cool to see localized programming in the works. I can't help but think of Ring Ka King and wonder if Jeff Jarrett is involved this, too.

- Not a shock they deflected the question about TV viewership by pointing to digital views.

- I'm very interested in the future of streaming, but TV rights are still by far the biggest driver of revenue in the business.

Stephanie McMahon is now overseeing global sales and partnerships.

More wrestling coming up.

WWE looking for music hire, assorted wrestling press, AEW talent updates, Road To special coming to TNT, Raw talent renamed, Dynamite+NXT audiences, Hager MMA result, and Questions on Reckoning's Raw behavior, Aces & 8s vs. RETRIBUTION, WWE pulling Riddle, and moving Thunderdome

WWE is seeking a music group coordinator.

Poppy has a special Halloween Havoc T-shirt. Very cool!

Dynamite's Serena Deeb vs. Leyla Hirsch match was a replacement for Tay Conti vs. Abadon. Hirsch is expected to appear more in AEW after this appearance.

AEW will feature the team of Anthony Bowens and Max Caster more going forward.

Brodie Lee is on the latest AEW Unrestricted podcast.

World Series champions Los Angeles Dodgers received a custom WWE Championship.

Michelle McCool discussed wanting to face Charlotte Flair on The Bump. I am all for that!

Road To Full Gear will air on TNT Friday night.

Matt Riddle has been officially renamed Riddle. WWE has become a parody of itself with moves like this. The process of integrating NXT stars on other brands needs a complete overhaul. Before someone moves to Raw or Smackdown, things like ring name, look, etc. need to be finalized. Frankly, the higher-ups need to be keeping better track of what talents are being paid so much to do in NXT. If they want to make changes, it should be done earlier in the process when a talent is still "training" for what they'll eventually be on Raw or Smackdown.

Dynamite drew 781,000 for its latest episode, a pretty decent number.

Halloween Havoc drew 876,000 viewers, a very significant increase from last week's 644,000. That's even better than the weeks when they went unopposed. I'd like to think that's a message that the brand needs to be more "fun" and less about athletes winning matches and titles with little in the way of characterization.

Big Swole is on Brandi Rhodes' latest podcast.

Jake Hager won his Bellator bout by split decision.

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

Nothing to add to 1.

2. I'm starting to wonder if even WWE knows what they're doing these days. They're throwing anything and everything they can to try to get people paying attention to WWE TV.

3. Aces & 8s was definitely more of a threat and wasn't as thrown together.

4. Previously I said they'd be lucky to make it to WrestleMania. At this point they might not make it to Royal Rumble.

5. WWE is firmly in his corner, having been aware of this situation for years.

6. There is interest in doing it in other states, too, though of course a lot of WWE talent and staff are local to Florida.

More wrestling coming up.