NXT
- Several NXT talent got significant raises back in October when the new television deal with USA Network kicked in. We heard that it wasn't exactly Raw or Smackdown money, but was "substantial" for those that ended up signing them compared to what they were making before.
We're told that most of the contracts came with new three-year agreements as a result. Not all of the talent offered signed the new deals. We're working to find out who offered is among those.
When we'd asked one talent whether or not they were getting a raise for the move to TV in the summer, they said "we'd better be," and mentioned that other talent echoed that same sentiment.
- There are still big crowding issues in NXT. There are people who were signed in 2018 who were just being assigned lockers in early 2020. Though it's not on a "first come, first serve" basis.
Hulk Hogan is set for the next Saudi Arabia show, but there were some in WWE that weren't sure if he'd be able to make it initially. Hogan underwent back surgery in November, but we're told he was healing up nicely as of early January, even better than originally expected.
AEW
I'm told that people in AEW have been having fun working on the creative aspects of the Hangman Page storyline. Tony Khan specifically has evolved from being the person with the final say to a person developing more stories and ideas creatively of his own, as well as being more outspoken about other people's ideas. Thus far, we've heard that his creative input has been received positively from people on the roster. That Hangman Page story specifically was one that he's worked closely on and contributed to heavily.
Kenny Omega is credited with the idea of turning Britt Baker heel internally, and the promo lines about Tony Schiavone's job were said to have come from Tony Khan.
Kenny King/ROH
I spoke with Kenny King at length, and he was very candid about the changes in the company. He said that he never worries about the carousel of talent coming and going, because he's been a part of that himself before and it's never killed the company. He even laughed a little bit at the idea that ROH would be a dead brand because so many people left, noting that the sky isn't falling. He pointed to all of the re-signings in ROH, and the promotion's Free Enterprise show as some of the positives. King also thinks that Scurll working in creative will bring a lot of energy and a fresh direction, and says Marty working with Delirious is a good combination.
King is still a little bummed about how the BDC ended in TNA, but is really excited for the LFI stable in ROH. He said that everyone that does the tranquilo pose or puts their fist up is paying homage to Rush, because he started Ingobernables around the world. He said that his inclusion isn't being shoehorned in, and he's been friendly with Rush, Mistico, Dragon Lee and Bestia for the last few years, and he speaks Spanish. King is happy to be a part of the storied group, via this offshoot.
As far as his two runs in TNA, King said that fellow Tough Enough Alumni Jessie Ward (now married to Tommaso Ciampa) got in touch with him to help bring him in for the initial appearances, and put in a good word with Scott D'Amore. Years later, it was Al Snow who brought him in, after their connection on Tough Enough. He looks back on his matches with Rob Van Dam most fondly as he looked up to him early. After the TNA run, Joe Koff asked Kenny if he was "ready to come home," which led to conversations with Delirious and Rhett.
He says that he doesn't feel like he needs Rhett Titus anymore since he has his new group.
We also talked about his appearance on My Brother & Me, and Tough Enough, which he says that he re-watched with his daughter last year.
Ethan Page
Speaking of Ethan Page, I talked to him at length again. He came up with the idea of IMPACT Wrestling doing a TNA retro show, and joked he probably wouldn't get credit for it. He was motivated by the Throwback Throwdown show that he did on IMPACT's Twitch and feeling nostalgic for the brand. It's garnered some positive buzz for IMPACT, but Page had to push for it. He would push Scott D'Amore on the air on their Twitch show, and would ask to bring back things like the King of the Mountain match, which he actually did in his own Alpha-1 wrestling promotion. D'Amore told Page he had to do it in his own company before they'd bring it back to Impact.
Page pitched the idea of doing the show during WrestleMania weekend, and he actually wasn't even around for IMPACT making the announcement during Bound For Glory because he'd headed back to the hotel. Page wants to make The North vs. Motor City Machine Guns happen for the TNA retro show, but stated that as of the interview, no offer or deal had been made.
Page wears a lot of different hats between wrestler, promoter, vlogger, graphic designer, and implements them on his own social media, as well as Alpha-1's. When we joked about D-Ray 3000 working the TNA retro show, he said that D-Ray actually contacted him for a booking, but they didn't have any additional spots open for the next five shows.
Taynara Conti
We're told in the middle of January, Conti had a disagreement with WWE, and "walked out." Most at the WWE Performance Center we've spoken to believe it's financially motivated, but we've not confirmed that. It was noted that her locker was cleared out, however.
Conti had refused to work a battle royal on NXT TV in the middle of January and would subsequently leave. She was still in Florida at the very least towards the end of the month, taking in some jiu jitsu training at a local gym.