Report: Tough Enough contestant nearly signed with TNA

– WWE Tough Enough contestant Jeremiah Riggs, the mixed martial artist, met with TNA Wrestling’s Director of Talent Relations Terry Taylor about joining the promotion before he wound up on the reality program. The organization showed in interest in Riggs due to his role on VH1′s Daisy of Love and because he has prior wrestling experience. Riggs trained with Dutch Mantel before turning his focus to MMA.

– David Otunga celebrates his 31st birthday today.

Otunga not happy with J-Hud’s weight loss, Piper

– Roddy Piper and The Miz will be appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live tomorrow night, promoting WrestleMania 27 and the WWE All Stars game. The segment was taped last week.

– WWE Superstar David Otunga is none too pleased with fiancé Jennifer Hudson’s significant weight loss, who has lost a grand total of 80 pounds. The recording artist, actress and Weight Watchers spokesperson appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Friday where she was asked “What does your fiancé think, does he like the new svelte you?” J-Hud responded, “He’s getting adjusted to it. He’s not really into change that much so he fusses at me like, “Why do you have to have to get all dressed up to go out and why can’t you just go out like you used to?” And I’m like “I’m a walking billboard now honey.”

– A source sent this one in: Randy Orton had a semi-private signing at The Sears Holding Corporation in Hoffman estates, IL. I didn’t see it promoted anywhere, and you needed to work at the office or be let in as family or a guest to attend. I’m bad with numbers but there appeared to be a few hundred people here. Kmart is headquartered in the Sears building, and obviously this was part of the new relationship between Kmart and WWE. We were treated to a short speech by a Kmart marketing executive and Orton, which was mostly about this being a big relationship, plus the dinner table commercial, and of course Raw tonight and WrestleMania. There’s going to be some alternate endings to the ad aired in the future. As a nice surprise, instead of getting a cheap piece of paper for signatures, we instead got a full size poster. Very nice! He was kind of tired, but otherwise pleasant.

Backstage Injury Updates – Mysterio & Sheffield

– Actress Jennifer Hudson recently did an interview with USA Today and noted the following regarding her real-life relationship with WWE star David Otunga yet: “Not yet! I’m engaged. Everything is all ready to go. Originally I wanted the biggest, grandest wedding in the world. Now I don’t know.”

– Rey Mysterio has been receiving cartilage injections in his knee to help him work through an injury that will eventually require surgery. So far, Mysterio has received between 8 and 12 of these shots and says he’ll likely get several more following WrestleMania 27.

– Former WWE NXT and Nexus star Skip Sheffield underwent a second surgery to repair a trapped nerve in his injured leg about two months ago. Sheffield is now off crutches and continues to rehab the leg. No word on his return date.

Otunga injured?, R-Truth mistake, Cena/Punk

– Before David Otunga could hit the ring to face King Sheamus, Mark Henry’s music hit as “The World’s Strongest Man” stormed the ring. Otunga’s scheduled bout with Otunga was ruled a No Contest. Otunga was not injured as creative plans called for him to not actually wrestle.

– A number of people backstage were cracking up at R-Truth saying the wrong city by his mistake prior to his match with Mason Ryan.

– John Cena and CM Punk had a “battle rap” during one of the show’s commercial breaks.

– On last night’s Late Show with David Letterman, Letterman gave Aaron Rogers a “spinner-style” WWE Title belt.