WWE News & Notes 2014: The Rock's New Movie, Potential Spoilers for Wrestlemania 31 Match With Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns
With WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar's contract up once WrestleMania 31 is over, rumors continue to swirl about potential changes to the card. While Lesnar is slated to drop the title to Roman Reigns, the company is concerned about how Lesnar's departure could impact fan perception of Reigns as a champion if WrestleMania 31 is Lesnar's last match with the WWE.
The WWE is still unsure if Lesnar will re-sign with the company after his contract is up and may not want to ante up the kind of money they have been spending on the champion, according to The Wrestling Observer. Lesnar is believed to be slated to defeat John Cena at the Royal Rumble in January and move on to defend against Reigns, but if the WWE fails to re-sign Lesnar in the near future, those plans could change. One alternative is for Cena to beat "The Anomaly," setting up a Cena-Reigns bout at WrestleMania 31. Another alternative is to put the belt on Money In The Bank suitcase-holder Seth Rollins and have the two former Shield members headline the event.
Reigns, who is out of action after emergency surgery for an incarcerated hernia, is expected to be back some time after Christmas.
Another WrestleMania 31 rumor circulating is the possible return of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, especially after the return of Vince McMahon and his Survivor Series stipulation that if Team Authority loses, they will no longer be in power. Some are viewing McMahon's re-emergence as a set up for a match between "The Great One" and Triple H, but The Rock is scheduled to start filming "Central Intelligence" with Kevin Hart around the time WrestleMania 31 rolls around.
The Rock will play a CIA hitman on a special mission and enlists the help of Hart, who will portray a former high school sports star who is now an accountant and helped prevent The Rock from getting bullied when they were teenagers.
The Rock will be busy in 2015, working on sequels to "Journey to the Center of the Earth," the disaster film "San Andreas," "Shazam" -- in which he will play the character "Black Adam" -- and the new "Baywatch" movie, which makes the possibility of a return to the ring anytime soon all the more slim.
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El Patron Alberto, known to the WWE Universe as Alberto Del Rio, has come to terms with the WWE, allowing for him to do bookings with wrestling organizations in the United States.
"Following his departure from WWE, former WWE Superstar Alberto Del Rio and WWE have reached a mutual understanding with regard to his future booking opportunities. WWE wishes Alberto the best in his future endeavors," said the WWE in a statement on Monday.
El Patron Alberto, who signed with Mexico's Lucha Libre AAA after he was let go by the WWE, claimed that he was let go from the WWE for striking an employee who reportedly made a racist remark about the former four-time WWE world champion. The WWE countered that El Patron Alberto breached his contract.
The agreement would allow El Patron Alberto to work with Lucha Underground during the next round of tapings. Lucha Underground executive producer Eric Van Wagenen acknowledged to Latin Post.com that signing El Patron Alberto was a priority, 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 recently confirmed via "Wrestletalk TV" that he was set to join up with the El Rey Network project and start working with them in 2015.
"I had a big name 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."
One star that may not be joining Lucha Underground, TNA Wrestling or AAA is Rey Mysterio. The former three-time WWE world champion recently met with Vince McMahon backstage at Monday Night Raw in Buffalo and informed the company he wants explore other options, such as acting, rather than get into a wrestling ring. Mysterio is said to be burned out between the hectic schedule and the injuries accumulated over the years.
Finally, Jim Ross has a new gig in wrestling, the former WWE commentator joining up with Global Force Wrestling (GWF) to do commentary for their Jan. 4 presentation of New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) WrestleKingdom 9.
"To be able to return to my roots and to provide play-by-play for an amazing, pro wrestling product will be special," said Ross in the a statement. "I never thought I'd ever return to ringside for a wrestling event but this opportunity was just too special to turn down."
GFW is working with NJPW, who is expanding their reach into the U.S. market. WrestleKingdom 9 is the start of the collaboration between the two organizations, with GWF airing more NJPW events later in the year. Hiring Ross is a huge coup for GFW, who is currently looking over several candidates to see who will be work alongside the legendary commentator.
"When you think of the great events in wrestling over the past 30 years one of the things they have in common is the man behind the microphone. And that man is Jim Ross," said GFW founder and CEO Jeff Jarrett in a statement. "I'm excited for this event, and I'm excited for good ol' JR to be a part of it. GFW fans wanted him, and from day one we have said we're going to give our fans what they want."
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