WWE Diva Switching Brands?, Backstage WWE News, ‘Mania

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (F4WOnline.com)

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» WrestleMania 25 in Houston, TX at the Reliant Stadium on April 5 is said to be nowhere near to sold out although they are well past a $5 million advance. The Fan Axxess event sales are said to be strong and the Hall of Fame (mostly due to higher ticket sales) has grossed more at this point than the final gross for last year’s ceremony in Orlando. That is said to be pretty impressive with Steve Austin only officially announced by the company so far despite “Cowboy” Bill Watts, Dorry & Terry Funk, and Ricky Steamboat already being planned to be inducted.

» WWE flew in Bill Watts last week to get him ready for his upcoming induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, and also tape a couple of “Legends of Wrestling” discussion show episodes for WWE 24/7. WWE taped one episode focusing on the history of African-American wrestlers with a panel of Watts, Dusty Rhodes, Jim Ross, Teddy Long and Tony Atlas. Ron Simmons was scheduled to participate in the show, but when he got released two weeks ago, Tony Atlas got the slot. WWE also taped a show with Watts and Rhodes regarding the history of wrestling in the state of Texas.

» In recent weeks there has been talk of moving Natalya over to Raw. SmackDown now has two star heels in Michelle McCool & Maryse, which essentially puts Natalya on the backburner. The depth of the heel Divas side on Raw is at it’s lowest point in years as there is only Beth Phoenix, and Jillian in a jobber role. WWE recently tried out the infrequently used Candice Michelle as a heel at house show events, but it remains to be seen if WWE pulls the trigger on her turn. Additionally, The Hart Foundation angle, which Natalya was scheduled to be a part of, was recently pulled as DH Smith went to creative and lobbied to be part of The Legacy. That flopped too. Smith and Wilson no longer team in developmental.

WE ARE IN OAKLAND, CALIF. – SITE OF RAW – HAS FLAIR ARRIVED YET?!?!!