Post-Raw dark match, Vickie note, Orton preparing for return, WWE TV coming to Pacific, Lethal at MLB, new NJPW names at DBD14, Flair podcast back, and Questions on Russo trying to get work in TNA, The Club, Seth using the Pedigree, brands feuding, and international communication

After Raw went off the air, the team of John Cena/Enzo Amore/Big Cass beat The Club. I'm glad Enzo and Cass are getting a big platform. The six-man tag at Battleground is a much better next step than Cena getting his win back on AJ. Hopefully Styles is protected for the brand split; he can be a top guy if he's treated like one.

Vickie Guerrero's Raw appearance was likely a one-time cameo. She still takes bookings, but I don't see her returning full-time to the road while she has the chance to get a degree.

Randy Orton is set to work out at the WWEPC next week en route to getting back in the ring. He's advertised for live events at the tail end of August, so Summerslam is a likely return date.

WWE has announced Raw and Smackdown will soon be airing in the Pacific Islands. I assume the hope is to eventually have the Network there and run live events. I'm sure they'd like to get NXT, Main Event, and Superstars on the air, but they might just have to be Network-only shows there, too.

Jay Lethal will throw out the first pitch at the Tampa Bay/Los Angeles game. He's from Tampa Bay. That's a great milestone for the ROH Champion, and will hopefully give the company some mainstream publicity.

ROH has announced the following NJPW names for Death Before Dishonor XIV and the following TV tapings:

- Kazuchika Okada

- Michael Elgin

- Hiroshi Tanahashi

- Toru Yano

More will be announced soon. Move over, ROH names. The important people are back.

Ric Flair's podcast is returning this week under a new name. What that means for his WWE future remains to be seen. I'd be surprised if he doesn't get his heat back on Charlotte in some way.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. I wouldn't be surprised if, upon being contacted by Russo, the TV execs brought his name up to TNA heads and that dissuaded them from hiring him. The fact he's trying to get the networks to hire him instead of TNA themselves is pretty telling. I think that kind of maneuvering would raise red flags in any setting. As for Russo's resume, he booked TNA for a number of years when they had their highest ratings. He's best when someone can reel in some of his more manic ideas.

2. Honestly, they had a lot of momentum and hype from people who knew them from NJPW, but that doesn't always translate to WWE. They're doing about as well as can be expected, since they're in contention with top teams and in big angles with Cena and Reigns. Anderson and Gallows are good, but they're primarily the stablemates to AJ (and possibly Balor). It's easy to say they need to be protected, but, in practice, someone has to take the fall and keep other names as credible top names.

3. Because it's effective, and could lead to HHH vs. Rollins. He can't do the Curb Stomp, so he switched to a usable finisher.

4.a. Just calling GMs COOs doesn't really change anything on its own. It remains to be seen if they go right back to McMahons in charge and feuding with each other, which has been done for more than 15 years.

b. I hope they don't have a feud between Raw, Smackdown, and NXT. Raw and Smackdown signing some NXT names in order to one-up the other brand is a better idea; let NXT names develop in their own little world before they get called up. Putting Raw and Smackdown names down there could take the focus off the people who need that TV time to develop.

c. Shane vs. HHH happening at some point is pretty much inevitable. WWE and USA love McMahon feuds.

5. Flips are the universal language. I'm guessing each side knows the names of their opponents' important moves and they can figure it out from there. Not much else is needed.

More wrestling tomorrow.