Wrestling Observer Newsletter Update

- With Kurt Angle facing a suspension that begins next Monday and won't end until the end of the year, lots of names have been floating around about who will replace him as the top babyface of the brand. Dave Bautista, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Hassan Assad (formerly MVP), John Layfield, and even Brock Lesnar have been tossed out there. Bautista and Michaels are unlikely, even though both have professed to being huge fans of the product via Twitter. Jericho, Assad, and Layfield all hinted at possible in-ring returns this weekend. Lesnar is definitely not coming in, no matter what cryptic remarks Heyman might make on his web site. Smart money is probably on Assad, as Jericho has claimed if he ever got back into a ring it would be WWE and Layfield is probably still too banged up.

- On the other hand, Jimmy Jacobs confirmed on a podcast interview this week with Dave Lagana that he would be coming in starting with this weekend's taping. He'll most likely serve as a much-needed mouth-piece for Takeshi Morishima and Bison Smith.

- They'll be starting an eight-team tournament over the next four weeks leading into the next iPPV to determine tag champions. There will be a tournament match on each show for the first round, with the semis and finals taking place on iPPV - the final being the main event of the show.

- There was some talk this week about a secondary title, but the feeling is that there's not an undercard to support it. When you think about it, that's pretty spot on since the only non-main event singles programs right now are Punk/Butcher and Albright/Hero.

- If I were to bet money, I'd say Halloween Havoc - which already has the Alberto Dos Caras & Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas vs. Kurt Angle (who will be replaced) & Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards trios match and at least three matches with the tournament - will be filled out by a CM Punk vs. Necro Butcher-match and a Chris Hero vs. Brent Albright-match.

- CM Punk has spent weeks hyping an autograph signing on his Twitter. This week he sent out the following tweet, "Canceled the autograph signing. Cut my thumb. Fuck off if you're mad." Can't say he's not trying to get heel heat, at least.

- We'll have our radio show with WCW booker Dave Lagana uploaded on Saturday, hopefully. It's a good one with tons of insight on the spoiler-free crusade.