TNA's next set of tapings are scheduled from August 11 to August 14, with the August 11 show being live-ish. The plan is for the shows taped then to complete the build to September's BFG PPV. I'm very interested to see how TNA's top names fit into things for that show.
Before ROH's TV taping in Philadelphia, there was a signing/photo session with Jay Lethal, Bobby Fish, Colt Cabana, Dalton Castle, and Taeler Hendrix. That's pretty cool.
WWE is looking at a higher tier of the WWE Network, a "WWE Network Plus" if you will. The following are being considered as benefits for this service:
- The ability to download content to watch offline.
- The ability to buy merchandise before its available to the public.
- Travel package discounts
- The ability to vote for WWE Hall of Fame inductees.
- Discounted subscription bundles, possibly one year for $99.99 or six months for $49.99
- A discount to Hulu Plus or a combined WWE Network/Hulk Plus plan that would provide earlier access to Raw, Smackdown, and Main Event.
- One free month of service after every 12 consecutive months of paid service
- An ad-free WWE.com.
-- Those are some really serious perks. I look forward to the next evolution of the Network.
WWE is setting up meet-and-greets with talents during Summerslam weekend. The Barclays Center is going to be quite the destination in that time frame.
WWE has sent cease-and-desist notices to independent promotions and wrestling conventions who have made use of WWE-owned photographs in the advertising material for formerly-contracted talents at their events. Just because you can get it on the Internet, that doesn't mean it's "yours" to use. And no, fair use doesn't cover this. This could be quite the blow to smaller outlets who don't have the resources to take high-quality photos of talents ahead of them appearing for their events. WWE's well within their rights to protect their intellectual property, but I think this could easily do the business more harm than good.
At an NXT live event in Indianapolis:
- Wesley Blake was using the gimmick/catchphrase "Beautiful Blonde Blake" in a loss to Andrade "Cien" Almas. I think Blake can do well for pretty himself as a singles star, at least at the level of a Tyler Breeze.
- Bobby Roode worked as a heel, saying he's "Glorious." He can definitely be a great heel. Robert/Heel Bobby Roode was one of my favorite runs of a character in TNA history.
Scotty 2 Hotty is on the road this week at NXT live events following his recent work as a guest coach at the WWEPC. I would not be shocked at all to see him come back as an enhancement talent after the brand extension. If he can still go and is over, that's perfectly fine. He wouldn't be coming back to headline Wrestlemania; he'd be there to elevate the New Era guys.
WWE's planned ECW DVD this November is being replaced with a Randy Orton DVD. I assume they'll release the ECW DVD later.
Smackdown's rating Thursday was 2.07 million. They definitely want to knock that number out of the water when the show switches nights.
Brock Lesnar has been notified of a potential anti-doping policy violation as per being tested ahead of his UFC fight. As of this point of time, neither UFC nor WWE have imposed any sanctions as the test result will need to be confirmed. This is a potential big deal for everyone involved. If he did fail for a banned substance, WWE's going to need to pull something big out for Summerslam. I'd definitely have HHH and Taker on standby for top matches in case Brock can't work the big match with Orton.
Cody Rhodes alluded to being unable to use that name outside of WWE. The company trademarked that ring name in 2007 and still has it legally registered. I would assume he could legally change his last name to Rhodes and be in the clear, but I don't know if he and his wife would be willing to go through with all that.
Mick Foley was at NXT's live event in Kentucky. I wonder how Foley in his prime would have fared in NXT.
At WWE's live event in Connecticut, Mark Henry teamed with Zack Ryder to beat Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel. Henry's also booked for this weekend's MSG show, which is expected to be his last as an active wrestler.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. That's pretty much it. Triple H is willing and able to make deals where people keep their established names, because the NXT audience already knows a lot of them under their previous names. That said, some people still get name changes despite being known elsewhere (TMDK). I guess it depends on how important that ring name is to the performer and to HHH/WWE.
1. That's pretty much it. Triple H is willing and able to make deals where people keep their established names, because the NXT audience already knows a lot of them under their previous names. That said, some people still get name changes despite being known elsewhere (TMDK). I guess it depends on how important that ring name is to the performer and to HHH/WWE.
2. Bayley would absolutely be a great choice. While Nikki's totally worthy of such a spot, this is a great chance to bring up the popular NXT star. Of course, she'd still be able to work NXT through Summerslam weekend to finish things up/have one last big match.
3. You know, I never really thought of that. She's on the alumni section of WWE's website, but she isn't selling any T-shirts or anything with her likeness beyond 8x10s so maybe they have been paying her to not wrestle all this time. They want her legally obligated to wrestle for them if she un-retires anytime soon, which doesn't seem likely. Imagine having so much money and spite you pay someone to have a relationship with someone your doctor is suing and to write a book that will probably bury you.
4. AJ's just shy of 30. I'd be hard-pressed to say she'll never wrestle again, given how much of a fan she is. I wouldn't rule out a WWE return years down the line when things have settled on both sides, but that's not in the cards anytime soon. I could see her pulling a Cody Rhodes and going around working dream opponents while she's still able to take bumps.
5. That's definitely a dream match for me given how Lashley's been booked in TNA. I know there were "Black Lesnar" and "Choc Lesnar" references during Lashley's previous WWE run, so it's crossed other people's minds, too. If WWE treats Lashley as being a dominant force, it could do well. I don't see it happening anytime in the near future given their respective contract statuses, but I can't say I expected to see AJ Styles vs. John Cena happening as a big match, either.
6. I believe commentary would fall under his performer contract; I don't think they signed him to a new kind of deal after he retired. I'm under the impression he's signed for a good while to come. I definitely think he's trying to latch onto something other than competing in the ring, but who knows what will be the case when his contract is up. I hope he thinks about what's best for Brie and his future family if he does get the urge to bump again.
More wrestling tomorrow.
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