Smackdown audience, Cena/Bryan story notes, WWE meets MLB, Sheamus update, TNA appearances, Interviews with Hendrix/Jericho, WWE Hall update, NFL star to WWE?, Edge gets award, ROH star updates, Raw audience, more TNA releases, new TNA hires?, and Questions on RVD, WM30, the WWE Hall, Double J, and OVW

Smackdown's audience this week was down to 2.28 million. So much for that bump from Punk's appearance carrying over. There's some serious rebuilding needing for the blue brand.

Here are some spoilers for the Cena/Bryan angle: Footage from "Total Divas" will be used to promote the feud, since Cena and Bryan are dating the Bella Twins. Just in case you didn't know that reality shows were "works". Also, the McMahons will be involved: Vince will be against Bryan getting the title shot. So, yes, WWE can rain on just about any parade. If Cena can remain serious and Bryan can... well, be Bryan, this might can be saved, but some of that stuff doesn't sound good on paper (screen).

The winner of MLB's Home Run Derby was handed a replica of the WWE Championship. Story here and here. Pretty cool. I always like when wrestling gets positive mainstream press.
Here's the damage Sheamus underwent at MITB. And people wonder why so many wrestlers end up on drugs/addicted to painkillers. But no, we've got to have all kinds of dangerous "sick bumps" these days. It's a shame.

Mr. Anderson and Bad Influence will be at San Diego Comic Con at the Headlocked booth. Whether TNA will release them before then is anyone's guess. (Honestly, I think they're all safe since they're a part of the Bound For Glory Series).

Taeler Hendrix talked about (lol)TNA and more, basically burying the experience. There's trouble brewing there. I think it might be time to think about some behind-the-scenes changes. Post-BFG, it's definitely time to think about the contracts of the big "name" talents and what they bring to the table in 2013 and beyond. The "Gut Check" idea was well-intentioned and good on paper (as was TNA teaming with OVW), but obviously hasn't really panned out like they'd hoped.

Triple H talked about a potential physical WWE Hall of Fame. I'd love to see it!

The NFL's Brennan Williams talked about wanting to go to WWE after a long NFL career. Will JR and Booker even BE in WWE in 20 years? And how much demand will there be for a 42-year-old with no prior experience? It's nice to have dreams, but that's more than a little farfetched.

Here's a report from Edge getting a Lou Thesz Award. Not much to add there.

Mark Briscoe will be a part of the tournament to declare a new ROH World Champion. I haven't seen anything to suggest that the Briscoes have made a decision on their long-term futures. I normally wouldn't cover ROH, but since they might be on WWE's or TNA's radar, some are interested in their statuses. Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards are notably not in the tournament, leading some to think that they could be leaving for greener pastures soon, too. Though some are wondering if TNA would truly be greener pastures in its current state.

Chris Jericho talked about his latest WWE run. I'm not complaining about him leaving at all. He's earned the right to do whatever he wants. Good insight from him as always. I'm willing to give a Ryback/Vickie pairing a chance. Though it wouldn't be my first choice, it could work. The end goal is to help Ryback remain over.

Raw was at 4.1 million viewers this week. That's nice! Facing the Home Run Derby hurt them some, but it was after MITB and they had Lesnar, so it wasn't a total bust.

TNA has released Tara, formerly WWE's Victoria. She was a highly decorated performer in both TNA and WWE, and she has a lot of experience (which served her well). Any time either company needed someone to work with a talent who was, let's say "still coming along", Tara was who they went with. She wasn't a miracle worker (if so, maybe she could have saved Christy Hemme, Madison Rayne, Taeler Hendrix, etc.), but I was always impressed by her work ethic. She could make just about anything work, and was always going the extra mile. I wish I could say that about more performers.

Tara's release, as expected, was another cost-cutting measure. There have also been some backstage releases. I can't say that I blame them for cutting someone who wasn't on TV all that much the past few months.

Update: Tara was the highest paid female on the roster, a likely factor in her release. I hope they look at the contracts of some of the other people who worked in other promotions before TNA to see if they're worth the money they get paid.

TNA is expected to bring in some talents after Destination X, presumably X-Division stars. I'm guessing they work cheaper? I'm not really excited about the prospect of more spotfests, but maybe they'll bring in some people who get the whole "pacing" thing a little better. I won't hold my breath.

DOC (formerly Luke Gallows and Festus in WWE) has left TNA after his contract expired. I can't complain. He would be on my "list" of people who aren't really needed anymore. I might have kept him through BFG if possible, but it's not like it's a huge loss than he's gone. I like him, but don't see him as someone that either company needs to have going forward.

Update: DOC was apparently not a planned, cost-cutting move. The company had planned a babyface turn for him. Some are blaming Bruce Prichard, as this is another case of contract negotiations going down to the wire (which has led to some stars leaving). At any rate, DOC could be coming back but for right now is a free agent.

The changes in TNA aren't over, so we could be seeing some more releases. Personally, I wouldn't complain if some or all of the following names left by this time next year:
Brooke Hogan, Christy Hemme, Devon, Eric Young, Hulk Hogan, Jessie Godderz, Knux, Mr. Anderson, ODB, Rob Terry, Sam Shaw, and SoCal Val. Obviously they can't fire all of them (presumably) without it doing serious damage to the promotion, but let's just say that I'm not thrilled at the concept of seeing any of them in 2014 and beyond.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Pretty much that. I see him being a fairly high-level name, but not necessarily being a top champion.

2. Also pretty much what he said. I can see RVD, Jericho, HHH, Lesnar and Punk being involved in big ways, and MAYBE Sting.  I think that guys like Punk, Bryan, Sheamus, Del Rio, etc. need to be positioned as if they're in the same league as the stars from 2002 and before.

3. I wouldn't mind all of them eventually going in. We're still talking about them, aren't we?

4. Because we need more stars from the past in prominent positions, right? I think Jarrett is awesome, but God knows we've got plenty of older wrestlers all over Impact as it is.

Nothing to add to 5.

More wrestling tomorrow.