Ric Flair is expected to return to TV in a few weeks. It is not clear yet whether this would be part of a new program for him or just a one-off to promote his new DVD.
Following the departure of Bobby Lashley, Booker T and others, as well as the controversial Michael Hayes suspension, WWE is actively looking to recruit new African-American talent. Vince McMahon wants them to find a clean-cut, All-American babyface to fill the void left by Lashley. However, given the way that Lashley left, as well as their experiences with Bill Goldberg and Brock Lesnar, WWE has been soured on hiring great athletes unless they grew up as wrestling fans, since they feel people without genuine passion for the business are likely to leave once they make some money.
William Regal might be making an appearance on Big Brother in the UK this summer. One of the ideas for the new season of the show is to have the housemates do wrestling matches towards the end of the series, with Regal touted as being a special guest host for such an episode. Meanwhile, it transpires that Regal is not a US citizen and so if he does get caught with a third Wellness Policy violation and is fired he may not be able to stay in the States.
WWE sent out a survey to those who attended WrestleMania 24 through the company’s official travel packages, asking for input on ideas to make the Mania week even bigger. Some of the options included a pre-Mania concert, a celebrity soccer/poker/basketball tournament, a 5K run, an American Gladiators type of event, or bringing back the Slammy Awards.
Kane mentioned in a recent interview with a New Zealand wrestling site that he would like to work a program with John Cena.
Jake Hager has been getting rave reviews from Dusty Rhodes in Florida Championship Wrestling. He is 6-6, agile for his size and a former Oklahoma State football player as well as an NCAA All-American Heavyweight wrestler.
Mickie James and Kenny Dykstra broke off their engagement a few weeks ago.
Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 02 June 2008 (subscribe here)
