Important notice about this weekend's posts

Long story short, my computer is not going to be usable for a couple of days. When it is (probably Monday), I'll pick up where I left off with the column for Thursday's Superstars and Impact Wrestling. From there, I'll go "in order" until I catch-up. So, a news post after that, then Smackdown, then Friday's news, Saturday's news, and Sunday's news in separate posts. From there, it's Raw, Monday's news, and so on in the order they'd normally be in. I apologize profusely for this situation and will do my best to make sure that this is a one-time, temporary setback.

Slammiversary rumor-killer, DiBiase injured, Kharma update, Questions on weird booking ideas, Kendrick, and Punk vs. Bryan, Raw visitor, more Sheamus anti-bullying, Ryder and Edge interviews, top indie name getting WWE tryout, and a Daniel Bryan interview

Despite rumors to the contrary, it appears that TNA Slammiversary will not be in New York City.

Ted DiBiase suffered a broken ankle at the Smackdown taping. Very sorry to hear that.

Update: WWE is saying that he will miss several weeks. At least that's not "several months". It's a shame that another performer's going to possibly miss Mania.

In a very unfortunate turn of events, it appears that Kharma's pregnancy ended in a still birth. Very sad to hear that and I hope she pulls through what must be a very trying time.

As for my take on Wednesday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. I almost said "losing his title shot to someone more credible", but it depends on the talent involved. My definition of a lower-card jobber would be someone who barely gets any TV time. A Rumble win could catapult just about anyone to being taken seriously, but that doesn't mean they should go that route. If they did decide to do that for some reason, they should spend the remaining time towards Mania building said performer so that he's no longer a lower-card jobber.

Nothing to add to 2. As for 3. It is possible, but very unlikely. Why give away a big gimmick match when the big selling point of Mania is that it's the first time those two are facing off one-on-one?

After the break, I go into everything else from Wednesday. Next up, more questions.

NXT thoughts - 3/7/12

After a year of redemption points, dog barks, love triangles, and cast changes, William Regal has become the new match-maker for NXT. What will he have in store for the WWE undercard today? The main event pits two best friends turned rivals against each other, as Titus O'Neil goes one-on-one with Percy Watson. Plenty more will be on tap, including the latest in Derrick Bateman's love life. Read on for my thoughts on the show as it happens.

Rock and Punk in Boston, Questions on WWE's thoughts on Miz, Cena vs. Rock, Natalya, Punk/Bryan, Ryder and Eve, Smackdown main event, WWE Classics update, notes on Rock and Ryder, Mysterio and Del Rio updates, another FCW star on the road, Edge interview, another Rock-Raw appearance, Raw rating, and the Smackdown dark match

The Boston Herald caught The Rock and C.M. Punk ahead of Raw.

For my take on PWInsider.com's Tuesday questions:
1. On top of that, he might not have the best reputation in the locker room if a recent interview with Del Rio is any indication. I hope this is just a phase like we went through with Sheamus because I think Miz really has "it". The descent from where he was last year is disappointing to say the least as he could have been on his way to being one of THE guys in WWE. I really hope things pick up for him sooner rather than later. WWE can't really afford to botch the ascent of ANOTHER promising star.

2. Nope. It's big enough on its own. If they do a rematch (or two), then they can bring in stipulations. The loser has to watch the winner's movies or something. Seriously though, it's already a clash of two of the biggest stars of the last 20 years. What more do you need?

3. They're using a technically sound, credible performer to get over the people they want to push (and possibly improve Eve's ring game in the process). This is not a new thing in wrestling. I doubt this is punishment for Natalya as much as them wanting to get other, less-experienced Divas over.

After the break, I go into everything else from Tuesday, starting with a question on Punk vs. Bryan.

NFL player has harsh words for Punk, Questions on Rock vs. Cena, the Hall of Fame, and Kane, TNA star "stepping away from wrestling", more to follow?, Henry interview, McIntyre update, Smackdown rating, Slammiversary on the road?, Punk interview, Raw dark match, and what happened after Raw

In a semi-coherent rant possibly stemming from the Chris Brown issue, the NFL's Shawne Merriman went after C.M. Punk. Apparently Punk once took a shot at Merriman for failing to pick up some WWE Divas. I THINK that's what Merriman's comments are referring to (it was in Costa Rica). I might take this more seriously if the spelling and grammar were better. Is literacy really that difficult?

For my take on PWInsider.com's Monday questions:
1 and 2 are related, so I'll address them jointly. Whoever came up with the "crib notes" part of the angle is genius. A LOT of people (myself included) were fooled. It is somewhat of a 4th-wall breaking feud involving The Rock and "Dwayne Johnson". I have to say it's pretty entertaining, even if I'm usually against the "worked-shoot" kind of thing.

3. What they said. They're not going to go on what a fan sends them, unless that fan's pretty well connected.

4. As they said, the talent has to be on good terms with WWE and agree to go in. Bob Backlund was offered a spot a few years back, but thought (thinks?) it's for retired people and didn't (doesn't?) feel that he's done as a wrestler yet.

After the break, I go into everything else from Monday, starting with why Kane didn't attack the guy who injured him.

Raw thoughts- 3/5/12

Tonight on Raw, The Rock will be live and in-person! What notes will he have on his arm this week? Also appearing for WrestleMania season tonight is Shawn Michaels, who will further stir the pot ahead of Hell in a Cell between Triple H and The Undertaker. Plus, the WWE Board of Directors has put Theodore Long in charge of Raw tonight. What will he put together for the WWE Universe? All this and more - read on for my thoughts on the show as it happens.

Former TNA star works another live event, NXT roster update, Questions on TNA's new direction, Ryder disappearing, Creative's inspirations, and Mania, Zhukov and Trish interviews, Mania match update, boy gets Mysterio-themed prosthetic leg, and updates on McIntyre and Del Rio

Xavier Woods (former TNA Tag Team Champion Consequences Creed) defeated Curt Hawkins again at the 3/3 Raw live event. If there's any word on him or any other FCW prospect making it to the main roster, I'll make sure to report about it. I can't remember a time where this many talents had gotten try-outs in such a relatively short timeframe.

In a correction/update to a previous story, Titus O'Neil's profile is visible on the Smackdown tab of the Superstars page, and Maxine's is visible on the Divas page. However, neither are visible on the main Superstars page. Titus is also listed as part of the "Current Season" on the NXT page, but Young, Watson, and Bateman are not. No idea what's going on with all of that, but as far as I know everyone's still going to be on NXT until further notice.

As for my take on Sunday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Well, they won't be bringing Russo back on board if that's what you're worried about. They seem to be focused on things beyond ratings now with better long-term planning so maybe they'll weather the storm.   I hope so, anyway. Now that the company's doing some of the things that fans have asked for (better focus on the X-Division, more Knockouts, less older names and bigger pushes for the TNA Originals), it's our duty to tune in and support them or they'll go with things we're less pleased with if they think they can draw with them.

After the break, I go into everything else from Sunday. Next up, a question on Zack Ryder at WrestleMania.