In the first of what will likely be several WWE talent cuts, Marc Loyd was officially released by the company. His desk was actually cleared off this afternoon.

Aside from the general need to make budget cuts, Loyd's firing was likely due to WWE's new USA TV deal. With only one weekend show, WWE will simply not need as many announcers.

Good cut some announcers, I'm afraid some cruisers might get fired  ...

*cough*AkioTajiriKidmanMooreSpike*cough*

There has been some people both in TNA and inside the cable industry suggesting that a name change take place with the company before signing a deal with Spike TV. Many feel those in the advertising industry will get scared away by the "TNA" name given its rather obvious sound when saying it out loud. However, it should be noted that it would be a rather long process trademark wise to change everything and could be a hassle they don't want to deal with. Again, this is just a rumor so take it for what it is worth.

If TNA does end up signing a TV deal with Spike TV to start this October, it doesn't appear Spike has any plans to promote the show at this time during WWE programming, or more specifically during RAW. This could change once an announcement is made between both parties. With WWE programming leaving at the end of September, Spike will continue to push other top shows on the network such as the CSI series and season two of The Ultimate Fighter series.

It is interesting to note that Paul Heyman has not signed a new deal with WWE and his future with the company appears to be in doubt. TNA's Dixie Carter is aware of who Heyman is, despite her somewhat lack of knowledge in the wrestling business, and understands how Heyman was able to take a promotion with little to no money and make it into one of the "big three" promotions at one time being ECW. Heyman did make a comment on the WWE.com Byte This program a few days before the ECW One Night Stand PPV that he would like to explore other options outside of WWE and noted that "this place could use some competition."

WWE.com has learned that RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff and SmackDown! General Manager Theodore Long have agreed on a blockbuster 11-person deal that will likely have a big impact on both rosters.

RAW brand gets:

Mark Jindrak: Former WCW Tag Team Champion
Rene Dupree: Former WWE Tag Team Champion; former World Tag Team Champion
Danny Basham: Two-time former WWE Tag Team Champion
Kenzo Suzuki (with Hiroko): Former WWE Tag Team Champion
Chavo Guerrero: Five-time former Cruiserweight Champion; two-time former WWE Tag Team Champion

SmackDown! brand gets:

William Regal: Four-time former WCW Television Champion; three-time former Hardcore Champion; four-time former European Champion; former Intercontinental Champion; four-time former World Tag Team Champion
Candice: 2004 RAW Diva Search contestant
Sylvain Grenier: Four-time former World Tag Team Champion
Simon Dean: Former RAW sponsor
Steven Richards: Former two-time ECW Tag Team Champion; former 21-time Hardcore Champion
Watch RAW on Monday (9/8CT; Spike TV) for more on this trade.

The same company that fired Jamie Noble?

they need to get some of the old school wrestliers back the new ones are just not the same,

To be fair, jamie noble himself said that they didn't want to let him go, but he felt like he needed to be made an example of due to steroi use.

So the cocept that those who use steroids are the huge muscly guys is wrong...

plus he has back acne

Acne often arises from stress. I know when Im run down and stressed I tend to get a bit of it.... And since Eddie has had a rough year or so, that may just be due to the fact he needs a rest....

You'll notice any wrestler his size who is going to get the title seems to bulk up. Jericho put on weight for his run, maybe he wasn't as muscley..... but they all do seemingly try to live up to the heavyweight name..

Hulk Hogan might not be around the WWE ring very often. But, after just one six-man tag, he already sees WWE Champion John Cena as a star.

"After the match with Cena, I told him "Brother, now that I've been in the ring with you. Now that I've seen how good you are. Now I want to wrestle you, so get ready." He was totally psyched, he told me it was like a dream come true, but I want to see what he's made of," Hulk Hogan told IGN, before calling Cena someone who can "carry the football for 15-20 years."

As far as Hulk Hogan's wrestling career, the wrestler does not believe he's ready to call it quits. He views being able to successfully perform the leg drop with no injury as getting over an important hurdle.

"To drop the leg and for my hip not to break and my back not to be in a million pieces, my whole back is screwed up, but physically, I've been training as hard as I can and I think it's helped a lot that I keep my body tight. I'm 51 years old and I look as good as some of the young guys so I'm just really excited to keep going and see how far I can go with this thing."

The following upcoming house show in Hampton Beach, NH., scheduled for 7/29, may give some indication on future plans on the RAW brand in terms of programs leading into their next PPV. On top you've got John Cena defending against Edge, Carlito defending the I-C title against Shelton Benjamin, Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair, Hurricane & Rosey defending the tag-titles against The Heart Throbs, Big Show vs. Snitsky in a battle of the giants, Christy Hemme vs. Victoria for the diva division, and Chris Masters vs. Val Venis.

- Despite releasing Marc Loyd, WWE is apparently still looking to hire announcers. A listing on wwe-careers.com confirms that WWE has "immediate" interest in an on-air talent with play-by-play experience.

- WWE sent an email this morning confirming that John Cena will wrestle Edge at the August 6 house show in Albany for the WWE Title. With Edge still in possession of his "Money In The Bank" challenge, it seems WWE might be heading in the direction of Edge vs. Cena later this summer. Remember, however, that house show cards are not always valid tools of prediction.