Backstage News On The Undertaker - A 2015 Hall Of Fame Induction?, WrestleMania 31 Plans?, More

Birthdate: 03/24/1965 (age 49) Height: 6'10" Weight: 299 Ib Calaway began his wrestling career with World C...

Source: The Wrestling Observer

WWE reportedly wants The Undertaker to be inducted into the 2015 WWE Hall Of Fame, if he chooses not to wrestle at the WrestleMania 31 event that weekend.

As noted in the past, if 'Taker does decide to work a match at WrestleMania, WWE officials want it to be with Bray Wyatt. They are keeping him strong due to this.

A potential Hall of Fame induction if he doesn't wrestle, guaranteeing him as part of "WrestleMania weekend" either way, is likely the reason WWE has been advertising The Undertaker in the WrestleMania promotional materials, such as the tour buses and production trucks.

Another Backstage Update On WWE's Plans For NXT Superstar Adrian Neville - Details Inside

Source: The Wrestling Observer

UPDATE: As noted recently, WWE is looking at Adrian Neville as the next main roster call-up from NXT, however they are some matches and programs they would like him to do in NXT first.

WWE officials want Neville to work with Hideo Itami and Finn Balor in singles programs, and also a potential triple-threat feud for the NXT Championship with he, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.

ORIGINAL: It was previously reported that Adrian Neville will be getting a “Mighty Mouse” like gimmick when he arrives on the main roster.

According to a source, Neville won’t be dressing like a mouse character, even though it’s inspired by the small yet powerful cartoon.

Although a Mighty Mouse gimmick has been discussed, it should be considered a rumor at this point. The latest plan is for Neville to have a "Crash Holly" style character and he won't be dressing up as a mouse as noted above.

It's worth noting that WWE actually had plans for the late Chris Candido to debut in the mid 90's with a Mighty Mouse character and even had a costume created for him. They wound up going with the Body Donnas character instead, which of course was instrumental in Sunny breaking out as the "Original Diva."

Jeff Jarrett Discusses The Pay-Per-View Model Dying Out, Plans For AAA/GFW, & More

The Squared Circle Gazette recently interviewed former WWE, WCW, and TNA wrestler Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett discussed GFW possibly bringing AAA and TripleMania to PPV, if there is resistance to a new wrestling product with the current TV landscape, and more. Below are some highlights:

Jarrett on possibly bringing AAA’s TripleMania to PPV in North America: “We have our contracts in place with the Pay-Per-View distributors…You mention TripleMania – I’m in discussions with multiple international partners to bring their products to the North American and now the global audience via the Flipps App. So yes, to answer your question, yes, we are in discussions on bringing in other international shows to Pay-Per-View other than New Japan”

Jarrett on if the current PPV model is dying: “When you try twelve a year, absolutely. And yes, everything is going online obviously. But you know, UFC…Floyd Mayweather…if you ask them if Pay-Per-View is a dying breed they would laugh at you. But you have to have that special event, if you try twelve a year then the returns are not there, especially when there’s so much programming out there. In this set of circumstances, you can’t watch New Japan on a two or three hour weekly show with the same matchups. You can only see Tanahashi and Okada (and this great card) on Pay-Per-View, and that makes it can’t miss”

On if there is resistance to a new wrestling product with the current TV landscape: “We are in multiple, multiple discussions with several networks, but the right deal has to be done. My attorneys tell me that sometimes your best deals are the ones you don’t do. A guy like me, that’s hard to absorb at times. But AXS has just picked up New Japan for a 13 week run. Lucha Underground has got a run. Brand exposure is the key. To create revenues in this business, and Vince McMahon is a genius with that – his deal is fantastic with NBC Universal, but that’s just a piece of his puzzle. He has international deals, touring business, merchandise, licensing, sponsorship, his online Network. Revenue streams are broad and deep, so TV is one component of a wrestling promotion.”

WWE Reveals The First Four Slammy Award Categories + Plans For The WWE Network & More

-- WWE will air The Best of the Slammys on the WWE Network starting at 4 PM ET this Friday. The schedule appears to show the 1987, 1994, 2009 and 2011 editions of the ceremony.

-- WWE has revealed the following Slammy Award categories on social media: Superstar of the Year, Diva of the Year, Match of the Year, Best Twitter Handle or Social Media Champion.

Also read: Press Release - WWE Hypes Seth Green & The Slammy Awards For Next Week's RAW Broadcast

The nominees will be revealed this Saturday, which is when voting starts. More Slammy categories will be revealed during the week.

Backstage News - Plans For Hideo Itami & Finn Balor In NXT?, & More News Inside

Source: The Wrestling Observer

WWE has reportedly had discussions of Hideo Itami and Finn Balor having a run as NXT tag team champions. The two wrestlers would later split off for singles runs in WWE NXT.

Also read: Which Top Two WWE NXT Stars Are Likely To Be Called Up To The Main Roster Next?, Details

Finn Balor reportedly does not want to spend too much time in NXT. That was apparently one of the conversations he had with WWE officials before he signed with the company.

Backstage News & Plans For WrestleMania 31 - The Start Times, Match Plans, & Lots More

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

It was confirmed this past weekend that the doors will open for WrestleMania 31 at Levi's Stadium at 1:30pm local time on the day of the show. This means that activity will begin around 2pm local time, which also means we can expect a few matches on the pre-show.

Also read: ?WWE Hypes WrestleMania 31 Tickets, A Long Hand-Written CM Punk Note For Marvel & More News

With a four-hour pay-per-view, two-hour pre-show and a potential one-hour post-show on the WWE Network, WrestleMania is looking to be another seven-hour block of programming next year. Without the WWE Network, it will be a regular four-hour pay-per-view broadcast.

News On The WWE WrestleMania 31 Weekend Plans For WWNLive - Details Inside Here

Gabe Sapolsky posted the following on Twitter today, announcing the company’s plans for WrestleMania 31 weekend…

We are holding events all day on March 27th & 28th at SANTA CLARA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS FIESTA HALL 344 TULLY ROAD SAN JOSE CA 9511

— Gabe Sapolsky (@BookItGabe) October 29, 2014

This is just a few miles from Wrestlemania and Axxess. More info soon. Major shows will be on 3/27 & 28 in the evening.

— Gabe Sapolsky (@BookItGabe) October 29, 2014

The shows will likely include both DGUSA and EVOLVE events. The plan is to run a complete day’s worth of live events each day and to air them on iPPV.

Former UFC & Bellator MMA Fighter Training To Become A Pro Wrestler, Plans For WrestleMania 31 Tickets

-- The current plan is for the WrestleMania 31 tickets to go on sale the weekend of November 14th.

-- TMZ has picked up the story that Billy Jack Haynes is suing the WWE. You can check that out here.

Also read: Part-Time TNA Performer "Rampage" Says UFC Lied About What They Paid Him

-- Former UFC and Bellator fighter Matt Riddle (8-3) is making the jump to professional wrestling. He is currently training at the Monster Factory in New Jersey under Danny Cage, Blue Meanie and Bill Wiles. His wife is also training at the school. The following video was sent out making the announcement…

Matthew Riddle is a Monster Factory Guy!

Major Plans For Joey Mercury & Jamie Noble?, The Return Of The 'Stooges'?, Backstage News

Birthdate: 07/27/1969 (age 45) Height: 6'4" Weight: 255lb Paul Michael Levesque was born on July 27, 1969...

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

There have been talks about turning Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble into stooges for The Authority and Triple H, much like Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson were for Vince McMahon during the Attitude Era.

Also read: ?Backstage RAW News - Who Were The Agents?, Visitors, More

The two currently work as backstage agents and were featured on RAW this week as they searched for Dean Ambrose and the Money in the Bank briefcase he stole from Seth Rollins.

Rusev/WWE **SPOILER** Plans, Tonight's Confirmed WWE NXT Matches, & More News

-- As previously reported, WWE creative is reportedly having discussions of a feud between Rusev and Sheamus for the WWE United States title. The feud would happen after Rusev wraps up his current one with Big Show.

Also read: Confirmed Matches & Video Preview For Thursday Night's WWE NXT Broadcast

The feud would reportedly see Rusev win the title from Sheamus in order to allow Rusev to get heat from bragging about being the US champion.

-- Here are tonight's confirmed WWE NXT matches:

* NXT Women’s Title Match: Charlotte © vs. Bayley
* Hideo Itami vs. Viktor
* Baron Corbin vs. Troy McClain
* The Vaudevillains vs. Jason Jordan and Tye Dillinger
* NXT Title Match: Adrian Neville © vs. Tyson Kidd

Roderick Strong Speak Out - ROH PPV Plans, No Contract, More

Roderick Strong recently spoke with Between the Ropes, here are the highlights…

On whether or not now is a good time for Ring of Honor to be on pay-per-view: "I think it's a great time. I've been telling everybody since I found out about it. And this year has been unbelievable in the sense of momentum, TV-wise, live event-wise, match quality-wise. Like the transition of being on TV ... it was a bumpy one for Ring of Honor honestly and for the guys. I still think in-ring product of what we bring to TV is still work in progress because working for TV is a lot different than a live event. But I think everyone has grown leaps and bounds in that sense and we're showing and translating to the people that have never seen Ring of Honor I think a little bit better about what we are."

Also read: Seth Rollins On Undertaker's Streak, Warrior's Death, WWE PG, And More

On the sense that Ring of Honor is getting the "cool factor" back: I do. And it sucks that we kind of lost our edge a little bit. We were going through a transitional period of everyone trying to find themselves with this new system and people's expectations for what was going to happen when Sinclair bought the company. Everyone was like "oh no, you're taking away Ring of Honor" but in reality, they were just learning how to handle such a machine in the sense of people are so passionate about it and want it to be successful from the wrestlers to the fans. I think during that because, in their brain, we were going mainstream, it wasn't cool and I think over time people realized hey, we're just trying to figure this out and we're trying to bring you the Ring of Honor you love but just on a bigger stage. And it's a really good feeling and I think that's why timing-wise with the pay-per-view it's prefect because the guys are full speed ahead, the company is full speed ahead and it's just awesome.

On not currently having a contract: I was basically under contract from 2005 to when my contract had ran up and it was just something where I want to take a little break from that obligation. Not that anyone was necessarily restricting me but I wanted to be in a position where is somebody called and there was an opportunity I could jump on it if it was the right one for me. They've been very understanding about it at Ring of Honor and they understand how much I respect and love the company and I would never do anything to disrespect them in any way, shape or form. It's been awesome that they've been willing to work with me and give me that opportunity for a little bit.

Triple H Conference Call Recap - The Future Of NXT, Plans, More

Credit: Dave Scherer and Pwinsider.com:

Triple H did a conference call with selected members of the wrestling media today to talk about tomorrow's NXT Takeover special, which airs on the WWE Network.

WWE's Adam Hopkins opened the call by welcoming the media and turned the call over to Triple H.

Also read: ?Hogan & Stephanie Speak Out - Brie, Cena, WM/UK?, Warrior

He noted that he once again he saved us from the background music that plays before calls (it is brutal). He is excited where they are with NXT and presenting Takeover tomorrow on The WWE Network. He said he is excited for the young guys to show the world what they can do and hopefully show the media that the future of WWE is in good shape.

HHH then turned it over to the reporters for questions. I am recapping so Mike will ask the questions, and he got on first.

Mike asked with the success of Arrival, will be see more of the live specials. Will they be a regular thing on the Network. H said that he doesn't know if they will be monthly, but never say never with WWE. He said he is happy where they are and Arrival was a great success. He noted that Vince McMahon even noted that they have launched a brand in NXT. With that said, he doesn't want to lose track of what NXT is, and that is getting talent ready. He said that quarterly is probably how it will work out. H talked about how they aren't just training wrestlers there, but also people who put the shows on, cameramen, announcers, etc. People learn what live TV is like by doing these specials. You live or die on your own. It is a new challenge for them and when they get to Raw, it will help prepare them for doing live TV. He does believe that there is room for an opportunity for a whole new brand in NXT. He could see people looking at the NXT talent and have people wonder what will happen when they make the big roster.

Also read: ?A Must-Read Mason Ryan Interview - WWE Release, TNA Debut?, More

Mike asked H a question I had, if HHH happy with the transition of the NXT talents that have come up to the main roster? Is it hard to transition them from NXT to the WWE? H said that yes, it's a difficult transition. Just because something works in Orlando, doesn't mean it will translate before a big WWE crowd. He said you can't forget that there is a transition from NXT to WWE as well. He mentioned Cesaro and how a year or so, he was working at NXT while he was on the main roster. H said when he saw Cesaro work in NXT, he would tell him to do the same thing when he is on Raw and Smackdown and Cesaro knew he was working differently on the big roster. There are many factors that go into a talent transitioning. Overall, he is very happy with NXT and how they are taking over, and that is why he used the name Takeover. He said they won't all be home runs, but it's ridiculous to think that. He is very happy with NXT and the workers.

Brian Fritz asked if they have thought about doing their NXT tapings more often. H said that they have tossed it around. The more you shoot, the more the costs go up, same with going live. He said he would love to do it live every week, but there are other factors. It's all on the table. He also mentioned what a great partner Full Sail is and they have to be conscious of their schedules as well. They are always thinking about what they can do.

Fritz asked about the next step, after Full Sail and the Performance Center. H said that the next step is finding the right talents to bring in to train and become wrestlers. He is really focused on working with the Creative department to go world wide to find new talents. They have had camps in Europe, Brazil and the Middle East recently. They want to recruit and be on a global level.

The next caller asked if guys who had worked outside of the US have had adjustment problems. H said the difference isn't that much about the big crowds as much as the mental outlook of now working for WWE. When you come there, you step into a whole different world, where the company does thing do things their way. It's the big time and it's intimidating. He said even back in the Monday Night War, there was that adjustment when a guy would come over from WCW. It's a curve. He said he looks at Bray Wyatt and he is just becoming comfortable, even though he has been knocking it out of the park since he came to WWE. It takes...

WWE Magazine Spoils Storyline Plans For The Shield?

The upcoming WWE Magazine has a fan Q&A that includes a question for Dean Ambrose. One of the questions asks if there was a superstar that could make him laugh. His response was, "My former partners, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. I was probably the class clown of the group, so I'd usually start the joking and ribbing. But those two are hilarious. Daniel Bryan is funny too, but more because he's funny looking."

Also read: RAW General Manager 'Fired' + Superstars Matches Taped

The Q&A only features a photo of Rollins and Reigns without Ambrose. Keep in mind that The Shield was already supposed to be broken up and those plans were put on hold because they were getting over as a babyface team so it could just be that the magazine went to press before they were told about the change in creative plans for them.

Author link: PHOTO: WWE Magazine SPOILS plans for The Shield?

Backstage Plans For The Summer Rae/Layla Feud, Saxton/WWE

-- Summer Rae and Layla will likely have a pay-per-view match to end their current feud. Fandango would be involved, possibly as a special guest referee.

-- The WWE App had an exclusive interview with Bryon Saxton speaking to Jimmy Hart and Hulk Hogan. Hogan announced that he will appear on an upcoming episode of WWE Legends House in the future.

The Daniel Bryan/RAW Storyline Plans + Legends House Video

-- Last night on RAW, Stephanie McMahon demanded that Daniel Bryan show up on RAW next week and surrender the WWE Title. Bryan is still not being advertised for the event and the feeling is that the company will drag out the angle for a few more weeks.

-- Here is a clip from WWE Legends House:

WWE Legends talk about Tony Atlas' cooking: WWE Legends' House Exclusive

Mason Ryan's Post-WWE Future Plans + Ric Flair/WWE Update

-- Former WWE developmental talent Mason Ryan is returning to the indy scene following his release from WWE this past week. Ryan is booked to appear at the Pro Wrestling Syndicate Supercard event on Saturday, June 7th. The event takes place in Rahway, New Jersey.

-- As noted yesterday here on the website, there has been some speculation that WWE Hall Of Famer "Nature Boy" Ric Flair may be appearing at Sunday's Extreme Rules pay-per-view, likely to continue the angle from Monday's RAW between The Shield and Evolution.

Flair is scheduled to appear at a Frank & Son Collectibles show in California on Saturday, and according to his itinerary, will then be flying straight back to his home in Atlanta, with no scheduled stop in New Jersey for Extreme Rules on Sunday.

WWE could always schedule Flair at the last minute but as of last word, he is not officially scheduled to appear at the event.

Original WWE Payback Plans For Daniel Bryan & Batista

Source: The Wrestling Observer

Batista is currently only scheduled for Extreme Rules, followed by the WWE RAW and SmackDown tapings in Albany, NY and Buffalo, NY. After that he will take time off to promote Guardians of the Galaxy. WWE knew he was leaving for that reason but this is earlier than the company expected.

The original plan was for Batista to face Daniel Bryan at WWE Payback in June. Batista turned it down because he didn't think losing to someone as small as Bryan would help him be remembered when he comes back. He also didn't think it would be good to help promote his movie. Of course, Batista has already lost to Daniel Bryan, as he tapped out to the Yes Lock at WrestleMania XXX.

Since Batista turned the Payback plans now, there are no other plans in place and that's probably why he will leave earlier than planned. There is no word on how this will affect Evolution. Batista is set to return before SummerSlam.

Who's In Charge Of WrestleMania Production?, Pre-Show Plans

-- WWE.com has noted that the two-hour WrestleMania pre-show will only be available on the WWE Network, which means international viewers can't watch it. There will, however, be a "Countdown to Wrestlemania" preview special at 6:30 PM ET on Youtube for international audiences.

-- WrestleMania is available on purchase on WWE.com for international viewers. It's only available for 30 days after the date of purchase, similar to other online PPV purchases. The terms of use for buying the PPV includes a note about the WWE Network (even though international users can't buy it). In addition to a six month subscription, users can buy a 12-month gift subscription without auto-renewal.

-- WWE employees working on WrestleMania have said that while Vince McMahon is present, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon have been running the production side of things.

Rey Mysterio Returning Home + Plans, WWE Top 1...

-- Rey Mysterio is returning to the United States today after being overseas on a WWE promotional tour. According to sources, there are plans to add him to the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 30. The announcement is likely for Monday's RAW broadcast from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.-- As a reminder, WWE Superstar John Cena will appear on Live With Kelly & Michael on ABC this Monday at 9 AM ET. He will be promoting Wrestlemania XXX and RAW.-- Here is the late...

Backstage Updates On CM Punk & RAW, Plans, & Mo...

Source: The Wrestling ObserverFor those wondering, CM Punk was not backstage at RAW last night and was obviously not in the script that they aired last night. One member of WWE's creative team says nobody was told anything about Punk but many expected him to at least be backstage and a surprise return was possible. Numerous WWE employees didn't know for sure that Punk wouldn't be on the show until late Monday evening and even then, people were skeptical that he was being kept hidden.Also...