WWE News & Notes 2014: Daniel Bryan Confirms Surgery Needed, CM Punk Strikes New Deal With WWE...Over Merchandise
Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan confirmed he will have to undergo more surgery, as was revealed during last Tuesday's taping of WWE Friday Night SmackDown.
Bryan has been out of action since June after undergoing a cervical foraminotomy procedure to decompress the nerve root in his neck. Bryan told "Sports Illustrated Now" in interview this week that although he is pain-free, he still has weakness in his right hand and hopes to alleviate the problem via surgery.
"If I were like an MMA fighter, the weakness wouldn't actually be that bad because it would just be an advantage for my opponent," said Bryan to "Sports Illustrated's" Maggie Gray. "But given what we do, the entertainment, people rely on us to be stable for each other and all that kind of stuff. So it's kind of dangerous for my opponent and dangerous for me to not have that strength. I'm not in a lot of pain, we just can't figure out how to get that strength back."
Bryan, who joined the San Francisco Giants during their World Series victory parade celebration, said that he hopes to be back in time for WrestleMania 31.
Two other WWE Superstars are expected to be out of the spotlight, as well, but for different reasons. Bo Dallas is out for six-to-eight weeks due to a left foot injury that will keep him out of action while Randy Orton will be away from the squared circle as he prepares to film his role in the movie "The Condemned 2: Desert Prey." Orton will be written out, suffering an "injury" on Raw after taking two Curb Stomps (on the announcer's table and steel steps) but will be back in time for Survivor Series, likely on John Cena's team against The Authority.
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Cena will still face current WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar, but not until January's Royal Rumble. While Lesnar may be scheduled to make appearances to prior to the Royal Rumble, he will likely not defend the title until January. Roman Reigns, who has been out of action as he recovers from an incarcerated hernia injury, will not return until late-December / early-January, and he will likely feud with Seth Rollins upon his return. After dealing with Rollins, Reigns may be set up to battle "The Anomaly" at WrestleMania 31 for what could be the start of his world championship run.
Cena has had an active 2014 despite not holding the title for a long stretch. His career both in and out of the ring next year is looking to be just as busy after signing up for major roles in two upcoming comedies. The former champ will appear in Judd Apatow's "Trainwreck", starring Amy Schumer -- with Cena set to play a closeted gay boyfriend in the comedy -- and "The Nest", starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Both movies will premiere in 2015.
Another WWE star also making an impact in Hollywood is Batista, who after his breakout role as Drax the Destroyer in "Guardians of the Galaxy" is being considered for a role in the latest James Bond movie as the spy's classic villain Hinx. Batista will be busy filming movies keeping him out of the ring for awhile. The former six-time WWE world champion is currently filming "Bus 657," starring Robert De Niro, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kate Bosworth and Gina Carano. Batista will play a bank robber involved in a heist targeting a casino owned by De Niro's character. He also slated to reprise his "Drax The Destroyer" in the "Guardians of the Galaxy" sequel and in "Avengers 3."
In other news, six-time WWE world champion and now ex-WWE star CM Punk seems to have come to an agreement with the WWE regarding a new merchandise deal. Although the "Straight Edge Superstar" is not returning to the ring any time soon in any capacity, the two parties have worked out a deal to sell merchandise with his likeness. CM Punk merchandise is said to be flying off the proverbial shelf with most of the gear having sold out, according to Wrestlezone.com. Punk also ended up being featured in the "WWE 2k15" video game after rumors circulating that the company was considering pulling his character from the game amid a legal dispute between both parties over merchandise sales.
Finally, El Patron Alberto, formerly known to WWE fans as Alberto Del Rio, has confirmed that he will be joining Lucha Underground in 2015. Lucha Underground executive producer Eric Van Wagenen had discussed with Latin Post about the possibility of El Patron Alberto joining the organization, saying that, "He's very high on our list. He's one of our highest priorities for 2015 and we would be honored to have the chance to work with him." El Patron Alberto confirmed this week on "Wrestletalk TV" he is set to join up with the El Rey Network project next year.
"I had a big before WWE, I have a bigger name right now, after WWE," said El Patron Alberto. "The business in Mexico is fantastic. They have this big project in the United States called Lucha Underground and it's going to be great because I'm joining them next year. The sky is the limit for all of us. I feel bad for all those guys needing that company. I don't need them, that company. They don't need me."
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