Spoiler On HHH's Return & Other News

[Snitsky]

Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter @ F4WOnline.com

Triple H is expected to remain out of action, despite Shawn Michaels and Undertaker already being on the shelf (and the possible loss of Jeff Hardy soon).

HHH is currently officially booked to return to house show schedules immediately after the upcoming WWE Judgment Day pay-per view.

While this is purely speculation at this point, it's quite possible that HHH will be returning at the PPV unadvertised, costing Batista his match in the main event. This would even the score with Batista, who cost Triple H the title and an "injury" to Randy Orton while distracted by "The Animal" during the match.

One WWE source said that one of the main issues with WWE is their development system. The source said they seen all of the development talent training when the last did TV in Florida and no one stood out. According to the source, Shelton Benjamin is not the right person to train the talent. Benjamin was a gifted athlete, and majority of the development talent does not possess the same athleticism. The source feels that the development talent needs to learn from skilled veterans such as Dean Malenko, Ricky Steamboat and Arn Anderson.

Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

It looks as though Batista might be set for an upcoming heel turn in WWE. The spot to set up the likely turn in the future was done at the Backlash pay-per view, where Batista almost used a chair and got his team disqualified (which would have cost Triple H the title based on match-stipulations) but instead it distracted HHH and set him up for the finish of the match and the injury spot with Randy Orton.

Obviously when Triple H returns he'll be working with Randy Orton, as that is the immediate ready-made program, but it looks as though there will be a second feud with Batista. The only question at this point is who would turn heel, with the likely candidate being Batista.

Batista has been questioned, in character, on TV at RAW about the aforementioned spot at Backlash, and said he feels for HHH and the McMahon family, but put off a certain smugness that is likely the very early build towards a heel turn.

What You Didn't See On This Week's WWE Raw

A WrestleMania video package was shown to get the show started.

* Goldust took on Chavo Guerrero in a dark match.

* Jerry Lawler & Michael Cole come out. Huge pop for Lawler.

* Beth Phoenix & Rosa Mendes vs. Kelly Kelly & Santina was taped for this week's edition of WWE Superstars.

* Before Raw went live, Lilian Garcia sang the national anthem.

* Randy Orton receives a lot of heat while Shane McMahon gets a big pop.

* Vickie Guerrero drew a ton of heat as usual.

* Josh Matthews hosted the "sign of the night" segment with the live audience. The sign that won had Oprah’s face on Batista’s body.

[blef]

Interesting bit about the president piece. And I was pretty sure stories were run last year that, despite being a staunch Republican, Vince was largely in favor of Obama.

And honestly, I'd like to see Batista be a heel again, not just the quasi-heel in a feud between 2 faces (which he kinda did against the Undertaker a couple years back, and against HBK last year after WM24).

[Robbymac]

Might be a good idea to delete that third newsbit.

[Snitsky]

^^^why?

[Robbymac]

Doesn't bother me any, but its only going to lead to trouble. Considering the board is pretty much against even the mere mention of the President's name.

[Snitsky]

^^^I didnt realise that was an official rule?

[teamjd]

May 5, 2009 10:18:31 GMT -5 Snitsky said:

^^^why?

Political discussion/posting isn't allowed unless it plays into an actual wrestling storyline, iirc.

[Robbymac]

Hey, just giving you some advice. If you don't want to take it then it doesn't bother me any. Just don't be shocked when a mod deletes it for you or locks the thread.

[Push R Truth]

May 5, 2009 10:20:45 GMT -5 Snitsky said:

^^^I didnt realise that was an official rule?

Even mentioning things normally gets really ugly, really fast.


A lot of people just can't shut up about politics, so it's best try and just avoid it at all costs.

[Robbymac]

here's the actual rule

1. No RELIGION/POLITICS - Unless they actually deal with a past or current WRESTLING storyline and even then, please don't take it too far. You may be able to discuss these topics like a grown-up; that doesn't mean others can. No jabs at Bush, Catholic priests, Muslims, Dick Cheney, Scientology or anything else that you may think was "just a joke." Pre-Reagan era political figures can be mentioned, but their political stances cannot be discussed.

Since its about Vince McMahon the person's political beliefs and not say "Mr. McMahon" the character's stated political beliefs on the show then I think its off limits.

[Marvelously Mediocre]

funny how the 1st and 4th newz stories contradict each other.

[Deleted]

Batista heel turn? I don't buy it. The guy seems to be way over with the crowd still, and I can't see him turning just because Triple H took a chair away from him.

And I really hope Hunter doesn't return that soon. To make the punt look believable he should be out atleast until The Great American Bash. Also gives more time for guys like MVP to shine.

[nerdinitupagain]

May 5, 2009 10:25:37 GMT -5 Robbymac said:

here's the actual rule

1. No RELIGION/POLITICS - Unless they actually deal with a past or current WRESTLING storyline and even then, please don't take it too far. You may be able to discuss these topics like a grown-up; that doesn't mean others can. No jabs at Bush, Catholic priests, Muslims, Dick Cheney, Scientology or anything else that you may think was "just a joke." Pre-Reagan era political figures can be mentioned, but their political stances cannot be discussed.

Since its about Vince McMahon the person's political beliefs and not say "Mr. McMahon" the character's stated political beliefs on the show then I think its off limits.

Exactly. However, I do not like that a certain business is listed as protected from jabbing under the religion/politics discussion rule.

[The Genesis of KoOS]

Yeah no wonder all of the new talent being brought up gets no heat if Mr. Heatless Machine is teaching down there.

[AriadosMan]

I know its not their dev league anymore, but does OVW still exist?

[Long A, Short A]

May 5, 2009 10:51:47 GMT -5 AriadosMan said:

I know its not their dev league anymore, but does OVW still exist?

OVW's still around and JBL paid to keep their TV spot.

[Nikki Heyman]

OVW has also just completed upgrading their facility - they've rebuilt the set, added HD monitors, built permanent barricades around the ring, and likely got new equipment for shooting the show. I've been down there a few times and was really impressed. JBL's $$$ will further the group and might get them a bid to come back to WWE as a developmental - especially since many of the current WWE superstars came through OVW and don't have to have their arms twisted too hard to go back.

[VengeanceGOD]

I don't think that's a tip-off to Batista turning heel, I think that's just Batista. He always comes off as sort of a dick and a heel.

[Jay Peas 42]

See, now here is a role for Bob Backlund.

[Magician under the moonlight]

A Batista Heel Turn sounds cool. But what about the kids?