Hogan-TNA update, Major TNA shake-up?, more on moving Impact, Ex-Tough Enough star works Bellator, NXT injury confirmed, WWE at NYCC, TTTT '13 confirmed, where's SMS?, wrestling Grand Marshalls, Taker rumors, Rhodes Family on Raw, WWE cards, Cena's reach, Foley promotion, grow a beard to get WWE tickets, Interviews with Sandow/Barrett, top WWE couple engaged, former ECW Champion at WWE live event, JR update and Questions on WWF vs. WCW tug-of-war, TNA's identity, headlining WM30, the NWA World Title and HHH's DVD

The following concerns a spoiler for next week's Impact: The most recent Impact taping was Hulk Hogan's last scheduled appearance under his current contract. Though the two sides continue to negotiate for a new deal, TNA has filmed a potential exit angle for him. Hogan has been unhappy with TNA for months, and the situation was exacerbated when Brooke was released without Hulk being informed. It seems Hulk wanted Dixie to help Brooke get into the country music scene, and that didn't happen. Eric Bischoff could also be on his way out by year's end. He's still a big ally of Hogan's, and has other priorities in addition to his TNA commitments; so if Hogan leaves, he might leave as well. If Hogan and Bischoff do leave, Jeff Jarrett could be replacing them in behind-the-scenes duties. Jarrett has been doing more backstage lately. As for what Hogan does if he leaves TNA, there's always the possibility that he can shake Vince down for one more big pay day at WM30. 

TNA is reconsidering the possibility of moving Impact permanently to Las Vegas. Currently TNA has Impact tapings on the road set through December.

Jeremiah Riggs, from the most recent season of Tough Enough, is on a Bellator card. It will be interesting to see if TNA gives him a look. The last thing they need right now is to continue to be seen as signing ex-WWE stars just for name value.

Everything else from yesterday is after the break.


NXT's Xavier Woods (formerly TNA's Consequences Creed) is out with an ankle injury. He's been in developmental for more than three full years now (following four years in the indies/TNA), so I'd like to think he's getting close to being ready for the main roster. He's got SOMETHING, but I don't know how WWE can best make use of it. More experience will certainly help him grow.

Hornswoggle and Kane will be at the 10/13 New York Comic Con as part of the WWE Studios panel. I'm guessing Kane will wear the mask and fake hair. No word on when exactly we'll see Kane back as a wrestler.

There will be another Tribute to the Troops special toward the end of 2013. Not really shocked there.

It is currently unconfirmed whether or not Saturday Morning Slam will be returning. The CW hasn't announced its airing and no episodes have been taped. I was never crazy about the show as it mostly felt like filler. Though I will give them credit for having a running narrative at times with the GM saga and some of Foley's decisions.

Another interesting DVD out now: Timeline WWF 1993 with Lex Luger. This is the year with the Lex Express, where Lex slammed Yokozuna on the U.S.S. Intrepid on July 4 in one of the most memorable angles in wrestling. I'd love to sit around and watch a lot of shoot DVDs some time.

Hulk Hogan will be the Grand Marshall for the Super Boat National Championships in Florida.

Former TNA star Cassidy Riley was the Grand Marshall for the Jesse James Outlaws Roundup Festival in his hometown. Covering stories like these last two takes away from time I could be using on school projects. Ugh.

WWE has posted Undertaker-related items on their social media pages lately. Eagle-eyed fans have pointed out that this could be tied into the "Phenom Edition" of WWE2K14 coming out shortly. That would certainly make sense. I'd be a little surprised if Taker popped up on-screen so far from Mania season.

Dusty Rhodes, Goldust and Cody Rhodes have been confirmed for appearing on Raw. I wonder if/how they'll be involved at Battleground.

There will be no Blu-ray for the upcoming Raw 20 set, which is a little odd. No word as to why.

Here's a rundown of WWE's card set for 2014. I think it's pretty cool that they've included some NXT names. I can't be the only one who finds the Diva kiss card thing weird.

Here's a story on the latest ways WWE has of monetizing John Cena. Wow. They really will make anything with Cena's likeness on it.

Mick Foley is promoting WWE in the U.A.E.. He's a good hand to have around for that kind of thing.

The makers of WWE2K14 are sponsoring a contest to win tickets to a future WWE Live event in the U.K. centered around Daniel Bryan's beard. Very clever.

The most recent Impact pulled in 1.12 million viewers, a noticeable drop from last week. That's the lowest number in almost three months (going back to the July 4 episode and the week before that). Hopefully they make some changes for 2014 and beyond. They can't get out of this hole overnight, but with the right moves they can turn things around.

Damien Sandow was interviewed ahead of next week's Smackdown. Very entertaining guy. I love that he did the interview in-character.

Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella are now engaged. Gee, who would have thought E! cameras would have been there? Very convenient that they now have a hook for a future season.

Bobby Lashley will attend a WWE live event. I remember when people (myself included) thought he was going to really be a big star. Neither WWE or TNA are clamoring for him to be brought back, and neither are many fans.

JR noted that it's unlikely he'll be a part of WM30. I wouldn't hold my breath on it happening, either.

Wade Barrett addressed wrestling a bit in a piece promoting his WWE film. Interesting to get some more info on his background.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Memories are a weird thing. The idea of a pro wrestling tug-of-war is rather amusing from a kayfabe perspective. I'm sure there'd be some kind of run-in or something else crazy.

2. I definitely think they should try to differentiate themselves from WWE as much as possible (and sensible). While there are some ideas and performers WWE has or has had that TNA would benefit from, they shouldn't be seen as WWE Lite. It should be noted that some ideas people have to change TNA are really laughable, but I do agree change needs to be made.

3. As much as I like both Punk and Bryan, I think the best use of the past-timers is facing off with the current stars in order to elevate them. Ideally, the fans who come back for Mania season and see a performer like Bryan hanging with HHH will believe that Bryan's enough of a star to be in that league. I don't think Punk is seen as at the same level as HHH yet.

Nothing to add to 4.

5. They likely had the documentary planned for release for a while before deciding to turn HHH heel.  As was said, they did it to make money. I like that they went to such depths to give the definitive HHH DVD like they did with Punk. Like it or not, HHH is a pretty important player in WWE and there was likely demand for such a DVD.

Nothing to add to 6.

More wrestling tomorrow.