Query on Shane buying TNA, Interviews with Bully Ray/Tito+Rampage/Del Rio/Titus, John Cena update, Balls to shoot, where's Ohno?, more NXT name changes, Kurrgan profiled, book DiBiase, Santino's facility, Russo correction, reaction to Bischoff/Hogan, WWE tryout, ex-NXT star works TNA, and Questions on being a WWE VIP, Morgan-WWE, The Mediator, and Survivor Series '99

First up, a query:
1. There's no indication that Shane McMahon is interested in returning to the wrestling world full-time (or even part-time, really), nor is there any indication that Panda Energy is looking to sell TNA. So, no, I don't see Shane buying TNA.

Bully Ray talked about his career, Devon, Sting, Punk and more. He's not the only one who basically ignores Sabin's title reign. I like his philosophy of how great he wants to be as a face or a heel. I'm sure that Hogan appreciates Bully keeping that 94,000 figure alive. He's right that fans can watch both WWE and TNA. It's good for both to be around. He's also right about what it takes to be a wrestler. I'm not sure that I buy his theory about TNA having a better locker room than WWE. There are some good talents there, for sure. As for Devon, I'm not so sure that TNA will bring him in a third time. I think they've pretty much milked Team 3D dry.

John Cena gave an update on his recovery. I can't miss him if he's still all over the news.

Balls Mahoney will be the subject of a YouShoot DVD. Could be fun.

Everything else from yesterday is after the break.

Tito Ortiz and Rampage Jackson took shots at UFC. I normally wouldn't comment on an MMA story, but that was something interesting.

Kassius Ohno is no longer in the opening of NXT. He hasn't appeared there for a while, either. Ohno's a pretty talented guy, so I hope this isn't a bad omen for his WWE career. Ambrose didn't appear on NXT either, so maybe this is a sign that he's about ready for the main roster. But Ohno hasn't worked any WWE live events or dark matches, so that would be a surprise. More on this as it comes out.

NXT's Ryan Drago is now Simon Gotch. I wonder what Cesaro (user of the Gotch Style Neutralizer) thinks of that.

Update: Indie star Samuray del Sol is now Kalisto. Pretty cool name, all things considered. 

Here's a profile of Kurrgan of the Oddities, who is now an actor. It's pretty cool to see the journey people make to become wrestlers and what they do afterward. The Oddities were truly something. I'm glad that Downey was a good sport about the accident with him.

Here's the official press release for booking the newly free agent Ted DiBiase, Jr.. It doesn't look like he'll be stepping back into the ring any time soon, just appearing.

Update: Ted Sr. commented on his son leaving WWE. As I said, it's not for everybody.

Here's a tour of Santino Marella's new training facility. It looks really great! It was pretty funny to hear him talk as Carelli after hearing the silly Italian accent.

Alberto Del Rio talked about a number of topics. He sounds kind of tired and bored. I do think it's good to do something fresh with Ricardo. I know Del Rio wasn't a fan of Miz months back.

PWInsider.com corrected Vince Russo's claims about the ratings for the shows he booked in WCW. I can't wait to see that interview.

There was a negative reaction behind-the-scenes in TNA to Hulk Hogan's recent comments about what needs to be done to fix the company. Some feel that Hogan and Bischoff have already been given the green light to do a lot of what they want to do, both from a business standpoint and creatively. This hasn't exactly been a boon to the TNA product from a financial standpoint, as the releases and cut backs point to. Bischoff and Hogan have a lot of power and money as it is, so asking for more at such a difficult time is going to be a hard sell at best.

Titus O'Neil was interviewed recently about the Darren Young situation. I'm glad that it's not a big issue for the locker room. It doesn't affect how he works or his ability to perform, so it shouldn't be a problem.

WWE will be holding a tryout at their new Performance Center this weekend. I've heard some rumors about who's attending, but they haven't been confirmed yet. If they are true, WWE's definitely got their eyes on prominent indie talent.

The former Derrick Bateman wrestled a dark match at the most recent Impact Wrestling taping, losing to Jay Bradley in front of his home town. Whether this leads to a bigger role for him in TNA remains to be seen. I was a big fan of his and would love to see TNA pick him up. They've DEFINITELY hired worse.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Sounds pretty cool, actually, even if it has nothing to do with MVP's V.I.P. Lounge.

Nothing to add to 2.

3. I'd definitely sign Morgan if he cleared the proper channels and wanted to work there. He's got great size, a great look, and a good deal of experience. As for what to do with him, their idea actually sounds pretty good as a way to get him over. There's even some background between Morgan and Brock.

4. Wrestling has some really crazy gimmicks, no?

5. Way to work the marks, brother. Yeah; I can definitely see how people would be upset at that turn of events!

More wrestling tomorrow.