Brock back on WWE TV, WWE champ on podcast, McMahons in WWE 2K17, Interviews with Miz/Nero, Raw audience, Booker T. student to WWE?, two big Field of Honor matches, WWE team signs new deals, why Brock won't be suspended by WWE, former IC Champion returning, and Questions on directors of talent relations, why specific NXT names were chosen, Brock shooting in the ring, Vince survivng forever, and splitting dating wrestlers

Brock Lesnar will appear on Monday's Raw. So, who gets F5'd to send a message to Orton? Y2J would make sense; Brock could be upset at Jericho for speaking on his behalf at Battleground. 

- Brock's also advertised for the August 15 Raw, the go-home show for Summerslam.

Dean Ambrose will be on Stone Cold's podcast following Raw. Hopefully next time they do a Smackdown talent on a show it airs on Tuesday; they need to make that night matter as much as Monday.

Vince, Shane, and Stephanie McMahon will all be playable characters in WWE 2K17. I actually kind of miss Linda being the occasional part of things. Also, you know there are some really angry gamers out there who will beat up Stephanie's character a LOT. 

The Miz promoted Smackdown Live for Sports Illustrated. We did get an amazing promo on Miz's underdog story during a U.S. Title feud with MVP. Miz was really on a hot streak for a while.

Raw's audience Monday was 3.34 million for the post-Battleground, start of a new era show. Where things go from here audience-wise will be interesting. 

Booker T. has indicated his student Marcellus Black has been signed by WWE. Presumably he'll begin work at the Performance Center shortly. There are more spots open in WWE due to the brand split, and more young wrestlers are getting opportunities in developmental.

ROH has announced two more big matches for Field of Honor:
- ROH World Championship: Jay Lethal vs. Adam Cole vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tetsuya Naito.
- ROH Television Championship: Bobby Fish vs. EVIL (formerly Takaaki Watanabe)

The Dudley Boyz have signed new contracts with WWE. Apparently their previous contract was a one-year deal set to expire right after Summerslam. So, they'll be sticking around on Raw and WWE Network in-ring shows for at least another year.

Brock Lesnar will not be punished by WWE for his failed USADA tests because part-time performers are exempt from the Wellness Policy. That's really not the best message to send, and opens up questions about other wrestlers who only perform occasionally. 

Shelton Benjamin will be returning to Smackdown soon. It's a shame so much of his career hasn't been seen by most WWE fans. Hopefully he has another good run in him.

Brother Nero talked about his future in wrestling:

- At some point it's destructive to keep cheering for someone who does so much damage to himself. I hope he's able to end his career on his own terms instead of it being cut short due to an accident of some kind.

- The Gathering is REALLY intense.

- I can only imagine what's next for the Hardys in their on-screen feud. 

- Nero's ideal ending to his career is quintessentially him.

- This read is as entertaining as it is scary. Wrestling's one of few places someone like him isn't dismissed as crazy in some manner.

- "Juggalo Superhero" REALLY needs to be a gimmick somewhere.

- This is one of the craziest wrestling stories I've ever read.

- Nero's really put his body through the ringer. 

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Laurinaitis definitely "played it safe" with his hirings of people with certain builds and looks or who already had a family connection to the business. Vince probably liked that he didn't rock the boat much as far as signing smaller talents with indie backgrounds. As far as the brand split, it was talked about for right after WM32. That was the reason Shane was fighting to take control of Raw specifically; Stephanie or someone would be in charge of Smackdown. 

2. Shane and Daniel needed to boost their tag team division, so they brought up Mojo to reform the Hype Bros on their show. They also need a women's division, so they picked up Alexa and Carmella to round that out.

3. It didn't happen, but I don't doubt Brock could do it if he wanted to. I think they'd pretty much have to fire Brock if he did something like that. That would be extremely unprofessional.

4. I wouldn't rule out Vince living on as a computer program or robot or something and ruling WWE for generations to come. He's definitely still got a lot of energy at 70.

5. It's certainly possible that was a deciding factor.

More wrestling tomorrow.