Select Portions: AEW hire, Vince McMahon, Raw notes (Patreon)

- WWE employees we spoke to were still in "wait and see" mode after Friday's Smackdown, as Vince McMahon wasn't there. However, we're told McMahon had plans that were made before the WWE-Endeavor deal. We haven't learned of his involvement tonight as of yet.

- We're told that Westin Blake, the former Wesley Blake, is involved in coaching/training wrestlers now. He guest coached at the WWE Performance Center last year.

- Fightful has an interview with Deonna Purrazzo and Steve Maclin dropping this week. We should have notes later today from it.

- We have confirmed PWInsider's report that AEW hired longtime WWE PR and communications employee Adam Hopkins. Several within AEW were excited for the move. Hopkins spent 26 years in WWE and received many well wishes on his way out.

- Some WWE Raw notes:

- WWE has Riddle's scooter on scene to possibly use for an entrance.

- Bobby Lashley is set for the show, as is the Bloodline in some capacity.

- An update -- neither Riddle or Lashley are listed on the rundown as of the show.

Deonna & Maclin notes:

Fightful Select caught up with Steve Maclin and Deonna Purrazzo at the Squared Circle Expo in Indianapolis this last weekend. Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp mentioned that Purrazzo and Maclin were on similar paths as they both have World Championship matches at IMPACT Rebellion in Toronto this coming weekend.

Sean asked Deonna and Steve who had a better shot at winning their match this weekend. Steve believed Deonna had better odds because she had been a champion, and he had not. Maclin also said he has a lot to prove and will be facing Kushida.

Maclin said that he would win the IMPACT Heavyweight Championship, and he says even though he is not getting the opponent he wanted, that’s a story that we can tell down the road.

Deonna answered that the odds were not in her favor because she had yet to know if she would be in a triple threat or singles match at Rebellion. Deonna said that Steve’s odds were better in her mind.

When asked about facing Kushida, Maclin said that he did tap out to the Hoverboard Lock, but that was because he did not have anything to prove and wanted to protect himself. Deonna said her favorite opponent is Jordynne Grace, one of her favorite people. Sean mentioned that Maclin was on a tear because nobody had pinned him since the fall.

Sean asked Steve how it is to team with Westin Blake again, and he says he loves it. He mentioned that Blake might be training future wrestlers.

Sean asked Deonna who was the hardest person to hit her, and Deonna replied that it was Jordynne Grace. Deonna said she was in pain and just wanted to get home to Steve. Steve answered the question too, and he said he was the opposite. Maclin said he dived through the ropes and hit Black Taurus, which hurt him more than it did Black Taurus.