Surprises at WWE Axxess, JR to call WrestleMania, Ric Flair

– The early evening session of WrestleMania AXXESS on Friday saw an angle and match where Roddy Piper and MTV star Rob Dyrdek beat Tyson Kidd and Zack Ryder. The footage will be used for Drydek’s show.

– WWE Hall of Famer Wendi Richter made a surprise appearance at Friday’s WrestleMania Axxess event. She may appear at Sunny’s HOF induction as well. We’ll see later tonight.

– Jim Ross told fans at Friday’s WrestleMania Axxess event that he would be calling some matches at WrestleMania XXVII. This is what we’ve been reporting despite Ross’ constant denial in recent weeks. The denial is likely because he was unaware of the WWE creative plans.

– TNA Wrestling Superstar Ric Flair is staying at WWE’s hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.
It is said that he will be attending tonight’s WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony, to witness Shawn Michaels’ enshrinement.

Shawn Michaels Speaks Out: retirement, return?, More

Shawn Michaels spoke in the new issue of WWE Magazine about his post-wrestling life, the Hall of Fame and more. Here are some of the highlights:

On his retirement: “No matter how many times you say, ‘I’m not coming back,’ someone will always question you. There’s always someone out there, especially with the Internet, saying you’ll be coming back, or that you have ulterior motives, or whatever. That’s just part of the gig.”

On whether the Undertaker is a factor in his staying retired: “Again, I’m in a position where I have the luxury of being able to say, ‘No, I don’t want to do that’ if I don’t want to do something. And, if I say that, it’s not going to happen. I wouldn’t have put my career on the line against Undertaker’s streak if I wasn’t 100 percent ready to accept the consequences. Staying retired is as much about respecting him, and the match, as it is about respecting the promise I made to myself and my family. Sometimes there are moments that you just can’t beat.”

On Ric Flair’s return: “So many people ask me about Ric, and whether his return bothers me. I always say, ‘Absolutely not.’ One match at Wrestlemania XXIV – that moment – was truly 100 percent real to me. And it was real to him. And that’s never going to change. I want Ric to be happy. And to be perfectly honest, I know he’s happiest when he’s in the ring. That moment will always be very special to me.”

On guys who return after retiring: “It’s very tough to make a well thought-out decision when you don’t have the time to think it out. I had that luxury, I was able to craft the circumstances surrounding my exit to the point that the career-ending stipulation meant something. I understand why people can’t stay away. The atmosphere of the business – being around the guys in the locker room or out in the ring – can be very intoxicating.”

‘America’s Next Top Model’ contestant set for Tough Enough

Source: Prowrestling.net

Reality television star Michelle Deighton, 25, has been confirmed as a contestant on Tough Enough. She appeared a contestant on America’s Next Top Model in 2005 and is the wife of Survivor star Jonny Fairplay. Deighton is a trained wrestler who made an appearance on the November 11, 2005 episode of SmackDown!.

\While Fairplay declined to comment on the matter when reached, he alluded to his wife’s involvement with the show during a video posted on GeekWeek.com. The video features Fairplay, Deighton and Gregory Helms participating in a Ric Flair chop contest and the former TNA Wrestling personality says at one point that she is “tough enough.”

Sources within WWE have confirmed that Deighton is a contestant on the USA Network show.