Jim Ross has posted his latest blog update, looking at Christian’s return to WWE, Smackdown potentially going live the week before WrestleMania 25 and plenty more.

On Smackdown, Ross wrote: “From what I can ascertain, there likely will not be a full, Smackdown TV show taped in Houston during Wrestlemania Week. Friday Night Smackdown may have elements that emanate from WWE Fan Axxess, which I hear is selling well BTW, but I don’t think an entire SD will be broadcast from that site. This matter may still be a work in progress but I can say that a SD TV event has not been on any calendars that I have seen.”

It may well be that Smackdown now does not air live given MyNetworkTV’s news earlier this week that all original programming other than Smackdown has been suspended and that the schedules will comprise of repeats of older shows throughout the week. Although far from confirmed, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if WWE taped some matches earlier in the week to broadcast on the Friday night show before WrestleMania combined with live segments from the company’s Axxess event in Houston.

On Christian’s debut on the ECW brand this past Tuesday, Ross wrote: “I have to admit that I was surprised to see Christian return to the WWE Tuesday night on ECW. Christian returning to the WWE at some point wasn’t a big secret in many circles but Christian going to the ECW brand was. Personally, I was hoping that “Captain Charisma” would have joined the Smackdown team.

“ECW got a nice addition to their roster and because they only do one hour or 6 segments of TV weekly, the ECW show should feature solid, in ring wrestling more weeks than not. I think fans want to see more bell to bell action and ECW seems to provide that most weeks.”

I think I’m in the minority of those who see Christian being put on the ECW brand as a positive thing. The show needs a boost from a well-known name and with a draft lottery coming in April, it gives Christian some time to work with the younger guys such as Jack Swagger. I assume Christian will earn a ‘Money in the Bank’ spot at WrestleMania before being drafted to Raw or Smackdown on April 13. Its a good thing for Christian and also for ECW, in my opinion.

As always, Ross’ blog makes for a great read, with the new Randy Savage DVD, MMA and more discussed. You can read it in full by clicking here.

Phil Lowe
phil@ifight365.com