HBK Thinking About Retirement, Details On Batista's Early Return
By Michael Bluth
Credit: F4WOnline.com, PWInsider.com
-- This week on WWE Raw, Batista made a surprise return to television, coming to the aid of Triple H to fend off a beatdown from the Legacy. Batista had been out of action for several months due to injury and returned way ahead of schedule. The Animal recently approached WWE officials and told them he was ready to return immediately. He has been working out at FCW in Tampa to shake off any ring rust.
-- DH Smith has bleached his hair blonde. He's rumored to join Legacy upon his return to television.
-- Shawn Michaels is reportedly looking to start winding down his illustrious in-ring career after next year's WrestleMania. While he would likely still wrestle after that on a very reduced schedule, he is looking to stop wrestling full-time next year and wants to spend more time with his sons as they grow up.
Update On WWE Announcer Situation, WWE Lowers Enhancement Pay
By Daniel Pena
sources: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, PWInsider.com
-- As noted earlier, the DirecTV guide is listing Kevin Kelly as the host of WWE Superstars, which premieres one week from now on WGN America at 8:00 p.m. In an update on the story, Kelly is telling people he will not be hosting the show.
-- There was a lot of discussion this past weekend among independent wrestlers in regards to the much lower rate WWE was willing to offer talents to come in and work as security and extras. As a result, some of the more established indy talents passed on the offer to work WrestleMania, which opened the door for greener talents — some of whom were described as disrespectful of the wrestling business.