WWE is reportedly interested in signing a number of names from the CWC to work their Cruiserweight division full-time. These names will need to pass medical testing en route to signing full-time WWE deals, and no performers have been officially signed yet. I expect in addition to names brought to the division, more names will be signed to NXT as future members of the division. This really opens a lot of doors for talents previously thought to be too small for WWE. The ongoing CWC is expected to conclude with the crowning of the new Cruiserweight Champion, who will then report to the main roster.
CWC competitors Johnny Gargano, Zack Sabre, Jr., Noam Dar, and TJ Perkins were profiled. I can easily see ZSJ and Perkins being signed, with the younger Dar heading to NXT.
TNA has announced EC3 vs. Eli Drake and Drew Galloway vs. Bram in BFG Playoff matches this week on Impact. I'm curious to see who faces Lashley at the PPV and what the Hardys do if they're not in the title picture.
Raw's audience Monday was 3.13 million for a show featuring the big reveal of the new GMs as well as a WWE Championship match between two top rivals. Both were promoted in advance. Are fans just too burned out with so much wrestling content available to care at this point?
WWE's Q2 2016 earnings report will be released on July 28. I'm curious to see what new news that will bring.
Brock Lesnar has tested positive for a banned substance on a second USADA test taken within 12 hours of his UFC bout. It remains to be seen whether WWE will take action. This definitely doesn't paint their star attraction in a positive light, and how they handle the situation will send a big message to the roster and the world one way or another.
- A Los Angeles Times reporter tweeted that Lesnar tested positive for clomiphene, which adjusts testosterone levels and is banned under the WWE Wellness Policy. WWE better have a solid Plan B in place for Summerslam. Taker?
Simon Gotch and Sin Cara got into a legitimate fight backstage before Smackdown. That's very unfortunate. I hope HR sits down with them and works things out in a more constructive way.
Cody Rhodes will make his debut with ROH at Final Battle. The fact he's the centerpiece of the poster and they're announcing it more than four months in advance is a good sign they plan on making him an important part of the company right out of the gate. This also gives him time to check off whatever talents he won't be able to work with while under ROH contract, namely those in TNA and EVOLVE.
WWE gave out pro-Bayley signs before Smackdown, which seems to indicate she was set to be drafted and/or appear as part of the segment with Sasha facing Charlotte and Dana. Not having Bayley as Sasha's partner would be a massive oversight. The NXT women's division really lost some prominent acts in the draft, and Bayley coming up would mean they have a lot of work to do to build it back up. Nonetheless, she's beyond ready for that stage.
Some in NXT expected No Way Jose to be drafted instead of Mojo Rawley. Rawley makes a lot more sense given his experience. Jose's just getting started in NXT. They should make sure he's got more legs as a character than Adam Rose did before calling him up.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. I have the feeling Vince doesn't really keep track of TNA enough to care much. Unless one of those names is contractually available and is brought to his attention by someone, I imagine he's got other things on his mind. Now, are there people under him who wish those names were in WWE? I'm sure. We'll see if any of them end up on the WWE radar in the years to come. I think EC3 has the best chance because he's been away for a while and has really changed since the Derrick Bateman days.
1. I have the feeling Vince doesn't really keep track of TNA enough to care much. Unless one of those names is contractually available and is brought to his attention by someone, I imagine he's got other things on his mind. Now, are there people under him who wish those names were in WWE? I'm sure. We'll see if any of them end up on the WWE radar in the years to come. I think EC3 has the best chance because he's been away for a while and has really changed since the Derrick Bateman days.
2. Each show needs to feel different. Raw and Nitro is a good metaphor in the sense they had distinct styles and performers. Marvel and DC works, too, in the sense of different creative teams, different looks, and different philosophies.
3. That was back when WWE wasn't as obsessed with being the main game in town.
4. They bring different things to the table. TV has bigger happenings, but is more tightly controlled. The talents have more fun and freedom at live events although they're very by-the-numbers.
5. I'm sure the end goal is for original WWE content to be on TV and the Network 24/7/365 with expanded versions of Main Event, Superstars, Smackdown, Velocity, Heat, Jakked, Metal, and Shotgun Saturday Night (as well as a revived WCW brand with Nitro, Thunder, and the works), but for right now it's just two hours for Smackdown.
More wrestling coming up.
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