Backstage News on CM Punk’s Status, Problems with Creative and More

- Part of the reason why Brock Lesnar has returned and The Undertaker is working next week is because CM Punk won’t be returning anytime soon and WWE needs star power on TV.
Before this past Monday, the plan was for CM Punk to come out on RAW and whine about losing at WrestleMania 29, then walk out of the company in the storylines. This was held off from the post-WrestleMania RAW because officials felt that Punk would get a big reaction from the post-WrestleMania RAW crowd. Another reason it was held off is because Punk wasn’t happy with the verbiage they wanted him to use and didn’t want to come off as a whiner.
A few weeks back, Punk had a big blow up with WWE creative and wanted to give his notice to quit the company. He went and worked it out with top WWE officials. At that time, it was decided that Punk wouldn’t be working live events anymore, just TV and WrestleMania 29.
Between the backstage problems and severely tearing knee ligaments at WrestleMania, Punk was written off TV this past Monday at RAW. Punk will be fine once he rests up and lets his knees heal. Right now there is no set plan for Punk to return but word is that he won’t be back until SummerSlam time.

Original Plans for Brock Lesnar and Triple H, Early WM Buyrate News

- It will be a few months before we get an official buyrate for the WrestleMania 29 pay-per-view but F4Wonline.com reports that three different sources this past week stated that very early estimates do not look good. One number being floated around was “downright shocking.” WWE’s own internal projections were lowered substantially in the final week before the pay-per-view based on the Elimination Chamber buys coming in lower than expected.

- Original plans for Brock Lesnar and Triple H had them re-visiting the feud later this year, not doing a third match at Extreme Rules. The planned angle with The Rock and Brock Lesnar for the post-WrestleMania RAW that didn’t happen would have built to a SummerSlam match, not a WrestleMania XXX match as previously reported.

Regarding The Rock, there is a lot of concern, or maybe just paranoia, among people within WWE that he will never wrestle again.

Matches for War Games DVD, Backstage News on a Planned Booker Turn

- WWEDVDNews.com reports that the following matches are confirmed for WWE’s War Games DVD that comes out in June:

* Ultimate Jeopardy Steel Cage Match from ECW CyberSlam 1999: The Dudleys and Mustafa vs. New Jack, Axl Rotten and Balls Mahoney

* War Games from WCW Fall Brawl 1997: Kevin Nash, Sean Waltman, Konnan and Buff Bagwell vs. Ric Flair, Chris Benoit, Curt Hennig and Steve “Mongo” McMichael

- WWE has changed plans for a proposed Booker T heel turn and now the plan is for Teddy Long to turn. Teddy is expected to become the new heel General Manager of SmackDown.

The Rock Talks Fast 6, Triple H Confirmed for Monday’s RAW,

- WWE has confirmed that Triple H will be on Monday’s RAW to answer Brock Lesnar’s challenge for Extreme Rules.

- The Rock tweeted the following about Fast 6 last night:

“Just watched private screening – FAST & FURIOUS 6. EPIC. Very proud of my director Justin Lin! A real pleasure bringing the character of HOBBS to life – an old school gunslinger who loves saying the word “Sumbitch”"

HHH Appears After SmackDown, Flair Attends Post-Masters Party, More

- Before going to RAW on Monday, Ric Flair was at Hootie & The Blowfish’s Monday After The Masters event. Here he is with his agents from Legacy Talent:

- WWE will return to Knoxville, Tennessee for SmackDown on November 19th. The pre-sale is going on now and the password is Knoxville.

- After last night’s WWE SmackDown tapings ended in Knoxville, The Shield came out and attacked Randy Orton and Sheamus. This led to Triple H, wearing a cast on his arm, making the save. The babyfaces hit their finishers on The Shield to end the show.

WWE Reports Triple H Has a Sprain and Contusion

- As noted earlier, Triple H underwent an MRI on his wrist on Monday. WWE’s website has posted an update reporting that Triple H suffered a contusion and carpal sprain to his left wrist. Triple H will have to wear a splint for the next few weeks.

WWE is teasing that Triple H may not be able to perform in the steel cage match at Extreme Rules against Brock Lesnar. WWE doctor Michael Sampson added that Triple H may not be able to perform at Extreme Rules but will be able to train.

Fox Wins Dark Match, Matches Taped for WWE Main Event and SMS

- WWE taped the following matches last night in Knoxville, TN to air on tonight’s Main Event:

* 11 man battle royal to determine a #1 contender for the Intercontinental Title: Justin Gabriel, The Great Khali, Alex Riley, Santino Marella, Drew McIntyre, The Usos, Jinder Mahal, Heath Slater, Primo and Yoshi Tatsu.

* Wade Barrett will defend against the battle royal winner

- WWE taped the following matches for Saturday Morning Slam:

* Jey Uso vs. Darren Young

* The Usos vs. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil

- The dark match before last night’s tapings saw Alicia Fox defeat Aksana.