Mick Foley has reportedly agreed to terms to join TNA Wrestling, according to the Pro Wrestling Torch. Spike (TV) apparently helped orchestrate if not outright subsidize the arrangement. Foley had come close to signing with TNA a few years ago before agreeing to his last WWE contract.
What obviously isn't known at this early stage is how Foley will be used by his new promotion. He had found a successful niche just months ago as a color commentator on WWE Smackdown before overzealous coaching by Vince McMahon soured Foley on the role.
Foley could end up serving in TNA as a commentator, storyline enforcer, wrestler or any combination of the above. His star power may give TNA an initial boost but it will be up to the promotion's booking to keep up the momentum and not make Foley seem ordinary as it has done to so many ex-WWE wrestlers in years past.
In response to a comment left at WrestlingBloob on a since deleted test thread, the ECW broadcast that aired on Sci Fi Channel this Tuesday, August 26 was taped the previous day (before Raw) from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
There was an ECW Tuesday taping this week from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but its footage has not actually aired yet. The Pittsburgh ECW footage will be held for telecast until next week on Sci Fi. The results from that taping will thus be posted here in a week.
The "WWE Raw" rating took a sharp downturn for August 25 to a 2.8 Nielsen cable mark, reports PWInsider.com, a low mark but an acceptable one considering its one week channel downgrade to Sci Fi Channel. When combined with a replay airing on USA Network well after 11 p.m. EDT, Raw managed to recover its usual audience level.
Thankfully, the program did make some attempt to recover from last week's ludicrous booking depths with the return buildup of World champions CM Punk, Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes. Only the extended Batista vs. Kane main event brought the show to a slow grinding halt.
John Cena underwent successful surgery for his neck injury, reports WWE.com, with the expectation that he will only be out of action for approximately three months. Had a more serious neck fusion surgery been required, Cena would have been out at least one year. The shorter recovery time will allow Cena to be kept in WWE's long-term plans for the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania.
WWE.com reports that Dr. Joseph Maroon of the University of Pittsburgh Medrical Center removed a "large disk fragment" that was compressing on a nerve and Cena's spinal cord. The pain that Cena had been under was alleviated as a result. He'll be allowed to work out again in a couple of weeks though it will take the healing of a bone graft placed in his neck before he can return as an active wrestler.
Whether one loves or hates John Cena, it has to be recognized that much of the promotional and merchandising focus of World Wrestling Entertainment is based around him. His presence is a continuing essential for that promotion. Let's just hope that World Wrestling Entertainment will keep Cena's long-term health in mind from this point forward.
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