WWE: Backstage Update on WWE’s Lack of Plans for Chelsea Green for WrestleMania 41, Nixed Storyline Plans for Joe Hendry in WWE, More News

Backstage Update on WWE’s Lack of Plans for Chelsea Green for WrestleMania 41

As noted before, WWE recently announced the full cards for both nights of WrestleMania 41 on April 19-20 in Las Vegas, Nevada. These cards featured Night 2 having one fewer match than Night 1 but this missing match is currently expected to be for Randy Orton.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that WWE officials currently have no plans for Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green to make an appearance at WrestleMania 41.

It was reported that there has been pitches made within the company for Green to host the show but this is something that WWE officials have decided against as of late last week.

Those spoken to reportedly stated that once the overall show is formatted, there could be a skit or segment involving Green being added but this was not the case the previous two times they inquired about Green’s situation.

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Nixed Storyline Plans for Joe Hendry in WWE

WWE officials reportedly had considered plans to bring current TNA World Champion Joe Hendry for a storyline feud for their RAW brand, according to Fightful Select.

It was reported that their sources stated that WWE officials had plans at one point for Hendry to be involved in a potential storyline feud with The Miz that would have taken place on their RAW brand.

This plan reportedly was nixed due to issues regarding former TNA Senior Vice President of Content, Distribution and Marketing Ariel Shnerer not agreeing with the creative direction planned for Hendry. This issue reportedly revolved around Hendry being planned to lose to The Miz.

It was reported that Shnerer’s opposition to the plans contributed to WWE’s increasing dissatisfaction with him for their current partnership with TNA.

Shnerer was among several executives that were fired from Anthem and TNA this past March.

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WWE News & Notes

WWE announced that Pat McAfee and Michael Cole will be the official hosts for the WrestleMania Kickoff event on April 18th at the T-Mobile Arena Plaza in Paradise, Nevada. It was announced that this event will air live on Peacock and WWE’s social media accounts starting at 5PM EST.

WWE announced one new segment for the card of this week’s WWE SmackDown show on April 18th in Paradise, Nevada. This new segment announced was current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes making an appearance on the show.

TKO Executive Board member and WWE talent Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently posted a video on Instagram featuring him wearing a New Japan Pro Wrestling shirt. In his post, Johnson stated “Slightly intellectually intimidated, but keeping faith alive.” PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Johnson wore the shirt for a reason but did not provide any additional details.

WWE recently revealed the next match in their on-going countdown of their Top 50 matches in WrestleMania history. The 3rd spot was the singles match of The Rock vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan from WrestleMania X8.

WWE also recently released one new video to their WCW Vault channel on YouTube. This new video was the full March 11, 1996 episode of WCW Nitro.

WWE also recently released three new videos to their WWE Vault channel on YouTube. The first new video was a “Story of the historic Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels Ladder Match at WrestleMania X.” The second new video was a Special Guest Referee match of Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Andre the Giant from WWE WrestleMania V. The third new video was a “WrestleMania Watch Party | Full PPVs, BTS, Full Matches and MORE” live stream.

WWE also recently released one new video to their NXT Vault channel on YouTube. This new video was the full August 28, 2014 episode of WWE NXT.

In a recent interview with The Ariel Helwani Show, Gunther gave his thoughts about his praise of Logan Paul’s work in wrestling and him being a great addition to WWE’s roster. Gunther stated “I have no bad experience with Logan. I think he’s a great addition for us. Crazy athlete and he picked it up very quick. I don’t think his aspirations are to be the best wrestler in the world. He’s very successful on his own, but he has an obvious passion. He committed to being with us and it’s a great addition. I get there is sentiment from outsiders. When you get offered a private jet and locker room, none of you would turn it down. Let’s be honest.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

In a recent interview with Complex, Randy Orton gave his thoughts about Kevin Owens not being able to compete at WrestleMania 41 and their match being pulled due to Owens’ neck injury issues. Orton stated “If we’re being real here, my heart breaks for Kevin. I think, first and foremost, I just hate that he’s gotta go through that. Even more than a physical journey he’s gotta go on to let his body heal, it’s a mental journey too. His body’s been through it, and now he’s paying that price, like he said in the ring the other day. We all pay the price at one point or another.“