Live coverage of WrestleMania 28 starting tonight!

The live stream will be available on this blog either a few minutes before the show or as soon as it starts. Please join us at 7pm est, Thank you.

Original Plans For Chris Jericho & CM Punk Revealed

According to sources, the RAW Battle Royal main event to crown an opponent for CM Punk at WrestleMania 28 was a last minute idea that came from Vince McMahon. Although WWE officials had been planning for months that they were going to do a CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho match at WrestleMania, they just weren’t sure how they were going to get there.

One idea discussed over the past several weeks was that Jericho would insult Punk so bad that Punk would eventually wind up demanding a match between the two. WWE officials decided that the storyline was too close to what they were doing with The Undertaker vs. Triple H storyline so they went a different route.

There were also discussions about fans who just paid to see the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view to determine the WrestleMania main events and having Jericho throw insults to get a title shot would devalue the Chamber to fans.

The updated & rumored WrestleMania 28 card

Here is the latest on the WrestleMania 28 card:

CONFIRMED MATCHES:

The Rock vs. John Cena

World Title Match:
Daniel Bryan © vs. Sheamus

RUMORED MATCHES:

Triple H vs. The Undertaker
Special Guest Ref. Shawn Michaels

WWE Title Match:
CM Punk © vs. Chris Jericho

WWE Money In The Bank Ladder Match

The Big Show vs. Shaquille O’Neal

WWE Divas Title Match:
Beth Phoenix vs. Kharma (Others may be added)

At this time, it remains to be seen where Dolph Ziggler, Alberto Del Rio, Christian, Randy Orton, Mark Henry, Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, The Miz and other regular stars will fit in.

Video: Triple H Talks Facing Undertaker, WMania 29 & More

The following video features Triple H speaking at The WrestleMania 29 press conference. During the interview, he speaks on a number of topics including facing The Undertaker at WrestleMania 28, the event coming to NY/NJ next year, and more:

The Undertaker and Michelle McCool backstage at RAW!

– The Undertaker and Michelle McCool were spotted this afternoon by fans situated in the parking at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas (site of tonight’s RAW) entering the venue.

The married couple reside in Austin and are likely just backstage visiting friends. It is also where they tied the knot in June 2010.

Kurt Angle: I Nearly Ended The Undertaker’s Streak

WrestleCast as part of The Sun in the UK is featuring an interview with TNA star Kurt Angle who claims WWE was considering having him end The Undertaker’s streak at Wrestlemania 22 back in 2006:

Angle said: “It was considered back in 2006. The person who wanted to do it was Undertaker himself. I was flattered, for him to go to Vince McMahon and pitch it. Undertaker at that point never had a five-star Wrestlemania moment match. He figured that the only one he could do it was me, at the time. Thank God a couple of years later he had Shawn Michaels, and it worked. But Undertaker really wanted to have that match, he asked Vince to push our match back from No Way Out to WrestleMania and, since I was champion they wanted me to keep the title, Undertaker was willing to take the loss. To me that meant a lot because Undertaker had a lot of respect for me — and I had more respect for him than he did for me.”

Of course, this is Kurt Angle we’re talking about so take this with a grain of salt.

Report: Scott Hall hospitalized – drug overdose

Former WWE and TNA talent Scott Hall has been hospitalized following a drug overdose. No further details are available at this time.

The former Intercontinental Champion has been battling serious health issues over the past year. He was hospitalized last June for double pneumonia, which had affected both lungs. He was hospitalized again in August due to complications from pneumonia. After recovering, Hall checked into a WWE-sponsored rehabilitation facility, and checked out in early October. Hall was hospitalized weeks later as he needed a pacemaker implanted into his heart.

Hall claimed last week he would not be on hand for the WrestleMania XXVII festivities in Atlanta, Georgia because the atmosphere would be detrimental to his quest to stay sober.

He posted his last Twitter message Sunday night while watching WrestleMania XXVII, writing “Taker wins!”

Triple H & The Undertaker fined at WrestleMania 27

The Undertaker and Triple H have both been fined an undisclosed amount by WWE, due to them using a chair shot to the head spot at WrestleMania. Chair shots to the head are against company policy.

UPDATE: Here is the official blurb from the corporate website…

Superstars Fined for Chair Shot

Pursuant to WWE’s Concussion policy, the stunt of using a folded metal chair shot to the head is prohibited. Triple H and The Undertaker have both been fined for violating this policy at WrestleMania XXVII. WWE penalizes through fine and/or suspension for violation of this policy, which is unchanged and still in effect.

The Rock Backstage At HOF + WrestleMania 27 Attendance

– Neither Vince McMahon or The Rock were in the crowd at WWE’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday night. We’re told both were backstage at the event along with The Undertaker.

– WWE announced at WrestleMania 27 that the ‘official’ attendance at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA was 71,617. Keep in mind that this is WWE’s ‘official’ number. We’ll let you know what we hear.

– A source sent this one in: The match did begin as a US Title match with Sheamus and Daniel Bryan with Lumberjacks at ringside. They wrestled for a few minutes with some nice moves until all the Lumberjacks started fighting at ringside and the bell rang. Teddy Long then came out and turned it into a battle royal. Khali eliminated Sheamus with a big chop.

Cena’s New Look, Special Entrance Themes!

– John Cena will debut a new red outfit tonight at WrestleMania. He was wearing it at today’s press conference in Atlanta.

– These will be several entrance surprises tonight. Triple H, The Undertaker, and John Cena will also have special themes during their intros.

WrestleMania 27 Script Leaked – *Spoilers!*

A partial WWE WrestleMania 27 script has been leaked out. The partial script reveals the match order and Jim Ross’ involvement with the event. Here is what we’ve been able to come up with so far:

The following four matches are scheduled to go last at tonight’s event. Jim Ross will call all four of these matches.

Jim Ross is scheduled to come out to call the Lawler vs. Cole match.

The Lawler-Cole match will then be followed by Triple H vs. The Undertaker.

The ‘Taker-Triple H match will then be followed by the 8-Man WWE tag-team match.

The John Cena vs. Miz match will close the event. The Rock will be getting physical in this.

Josh Matthews is scheduled to call the show. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler alongside Josh Matthews and possibly Booker T will be calling the event up until their match.

More as we get it.

HBK teases interference in ‘Taker-HHH match!

Things are really getting busy with WrestleMania XXVII nearly 24 hours away. Things will continue to be extremely busy tonight and tomorrow. Check back in as often as possible guys!!

At this morning’s WrestleMania Axxess Q&A session, Shawn Michaels teased involving himself in The Undertaker vs. Triple H match at WrestleMania XXVII tomorrow.

When asked about Triple H ending “The Streak,” Michaels said, “I’m not sure I can let him do what I couldn’t.”

He then commented on whether he plans to interfere in the match, saying, “I’ll do everything I can not to stick my nose in. Maybe.”

He added, “Do you ever find that you’re meanest to the people you love the most? If I ruined his chances of ending The Streak, I’m sure he’d beat the tar out of me at that moment, but I’m sure he’d forgive me eventually.”

Michaels’ role in the match has not been announced by WWE.

Triple H’s Special WrestleMania Theme, HBK’s Blog, More

– Metallica posted the following on their Facebook page: Triple H will be using one of your favorite ‘Tallica songs during his match against The Undertaker this weekend during WrestleMania XXVII.

– Day Two of Shawn Michaels’ WWE.com diary is now posted.

– Triple H attended the Georgia state legislature’s WrestleMania Proclamation yesterday with wife Stephanie McMahon. Photos are available at WWE.com.

– Entertainment Weekly has a video from Tough Enough of Miss USA Rima Fakih taking a bodyslam at http://insidetv.ew.com/

Bret Hart not looking forward to WrestleMania, The Rock-RAW

- The Rock stated that he taped his interview Piers Morgan Tonight in New York City yesterday. It will air on CNN tomorrow. The Rock will also be live on RAW next Monday.

- Bret Hart has provided his thoughts on WrestleMania XXVII on his website. Here is some of what he wrote: “As for the actual line-up, it’s been a slow build for much of the card, but for the past few weeks the promos and backstage situations seemed to be rather plain and flat, totally predictable. The Undertaker and Triple H segment with Shawn Michaels played out exactly like I expected, the usual smoke blowing up the rectum stuff, more grunts and then a staring contest, thank God Shawn was there just to add something, anything to it. I suppose there isn’t much else these two legends can do as far as buildup goes but it came across to me as having little imagination, the match itself should be one of the better match ups because Taker brings it all the way for Wrestlemania and Triple H can turn it up when he wants to. Triple H has had some hard fought battles over the years, but I don’t know if he’s ever had his chance to literally blow them away at Wrestlemania but this might be his best chance. Taker, in my opinion, is truly one of the all-time best and time and time again, he has delivered the best match on the show so I expect a good solid match, old school but intense. It could steal the show.” You can read the entire blog at http://www.brethart.com/

Major changes to two top WrestleMania matches!

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

– According to sources within WWE, a change is expected to be made to a top tier WrestleMania match over the next few days. Many are speculating that Christian will be added to the World Heavyweight Championship Match between Edge and Alberto Del Rio.

– As of yesterday, creative plans called for Triple H vs. The Undertaker to conclude WrestleMania, with no career ending stipulations.

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.”

The WrestleMania Main Event?, Y2J return *Spoiler!*

We’ve now learned that Chris Jericho, Harley Race, Jim Ross and Steve Austin were among those interviewed for upcoming vignettes putting over the Triple H vs. Undertaker match.

Race and Ross were interviewed backstage at RAW on Monday night. Jericho’s will air on SmackDown!.

At this time, WWE is positioning the match as the main event of the show.

Did Sting recently negotiate with WWE?

Partial Source: The Pro Wrestling Torch

Multiple TNA sources indicate there were no real discussions between Steve “Sting” Borden and WWE. Any talk of Sting being tied to the ’2-21-11′ vignettes were false, although some within TNA insist company president Dixie Carter was convinced that was case until ‘Taker’s face was shown. Others within the company say Sting and Dixie had been in talks for weeks negotiating a new contract and Dixie knew that Sting wasn’t the type of guy who would “screw her over and jump ship to WWE”.

People within TNA were predicting that Sting wouldn’t join WWE due to the comfort level he has with the Nashville based organization and wrestlers he counts on to carry him in the ring. There is also some heat between Sting and Vince McMahon from years ago. WWE has sent ‘feelers’ Sting’s way numerous times throughout the years and he has always turned them down. There is also no way that Sting would work a full-time WWE schedule including house shows as he’s considered a “family man” these days. He is willing to work the TNA schedule as it allows him to spend time at home with his wife and kids.

Report: WrestleMania 27 card not finalized yet!

Partial Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Last week, we released the rumored match lineup for WrestleMania 27, which was then verified as legitimate by two backstage sources: The Undertaker vs. Triple H; The Miz vs. John Cena for the WWE Championship; Edge vs. Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship; Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole with Steve Austin as the Special Guest Referee, Randy Orton vs. CM Punk; Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes, John Morrison, Kelly Kelly and Trish Stratus vs. Dolph Ziggler, Michelle McCool and Layla; The Corre vs. Big Show, Christian, Kane, Kofi Kingston; Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus, and another match featuring the Divas.

While the card appears legitimate, company sources have stated that the match lineup has not been finalized as changes may still be made to matches that have not been announced. The latter four matches have yet to be made official.

What will close WrestleMania?, WWE PG-13 returning?

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

– As of this week, creative has not decided on whether to close WrestleMania XXVII with The Undertaker vs. Triple H or Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson confronting John Cena—which would indicate that Cena vs. The Miz is the main event. Internally, Michael Cole vs. Jerry Lawler is considered the third biggest match on the show.

– Going forward, WWE plans on featuring more PG-13 content on Monday Night RAW. However, it’s still considered a PG-rated program and there are no plans on changing that.